Ghost band

A ghost band is, in the case of big band jazz, a band that performs under the original name of a deceased leader. In the case of rock, under a relaxed definition, it is a band that performs under the name of the original band whose founders are either deceased or have left the band. Use of the phrase may refer to a repertory jazz ensemble, such as a Dixieland band, with a longstanding, historic name. But in the strictest sense, a ghost band is connected in some way to a deceased leader.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been performing for seventy of the seventy-two years since Glenn Miller went missing. In dance band and big band jazz idioms, ghost bands typically perform the repertoire of the original band. Exceptions, however, include the Mingus Big Band, which performs and records new works in the creative spirit of its founder, Charles Mingus. The examples of Miller and Mingus are, in a sense, the same because both are striving to preserve the original models.

The estates of some notable band leaders, such as those of Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson, specifically forbid ghost bands in their names.

In Classic Rock/Pop/R&B, the definition of a ghost band may refer to groups composed of musicians from newer generations & perhaps owned or led offstage by a secondary founding member who may perform, or may not even perform with the group as is the case with Blood, Sweat & Tears & The Platters. Many Classic Rock/Pop acts still tour with musicians who were in the last stages of their success and weren't founding, crucial or irreplaceable members of those acts, such as Little River Band. Other acts such as The Grass Roots, The Guess Who, The Temptations and others are now led by a drummer, bassist or other background rhythm musician or backing vocalist who had little to do with the unique original sound vs a lead instrumentalist or lead vocalist who made the sound identifiable to fans. These acts typically play at festivals, casinos, cruise ships, clubs, theaters and small venues, typically billed with other similar acts in "oldies packages", and are essentially tribute acts in all but name only.

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