Jon Batiste

There were so many people after that first 'Colbert Report' interview that were impressed by the synergy we had during the interview. People everywhere we'd go would say, 'You should be the bandleader; it would be great for jazz. It would be great for the music.' But I was completely against it.

American Musician

Alex Horne

Peter Crouch has been my hero for fifteen years, Maya Jama is a superstar and I am a mild-mannered bandleader with a motley troupe of absurdly talented musicians at my disposal - if those aren't the ingredients for a delicious post-football entertainment dish then we're all doomed.

British Comedian

Jenny Lewis

For me personally, I just try to prove myself in my work. I'm just trying to get better at what I do, and hopefully that will impact women in music, and hopefully the girls in the crowd will see my up there as a bandleader and think, 'Wow, maybe I can do that one day.

Wadada Leo Smith

When I first started, I worked with my father, Alex 'Little Bill' Wallace; he was a guitarist like B.B. King. I was around 13 when I started, and I learned a lot by looking and listening. I learned how to be a bandleader from watching that band work.

June Whitfield

I was a huge fan of the bandleader Ray Noble when I was younger. He was one of the biggest musical names of his day and wrote such romantic songs as 'Goodnight Sweetheart' and 'The Touch Of Your Lips.' Wonderful stuff.

English Actress

Jools Holland

As a bandleader, I try to pass on the same family values that I grew up with: help people, hang on to your sense of humour, be tolerant, and keep your judgments to yourself.

English Musician

George Pelecanos

Richmond Fontaine bandleader Willy Vlautin writes songs akin to finely composed short stories set in the diners, bars, casinos, and old hotels of Reno and its environs.

American Author

Trombone Shorty

When I was a kid, my friends and I formed a band, Trombone Shorty's Brass Band. When I was six, I was a bandleader for my brother's band.

Stefon Harris

Miles Davis is a major influence of mine in terms of the way that I am as a bandleader.

Shane MacGowan

What I do is I'm a bandleader, frontman, entertainer.

Irish Musician

A bandleader holds authority over musical selections and arrangements, guiding the band's style and direction.

Musical Leadership

Bandleaders are often the most visible members, frequently engaging with the audience during performances.

Visible Role

Famous bandleaders can become cultural icons, influencing music trends and popular culture.

Cultural Icons

 a vacuum we're always influencing each other James Brown for example had a huge influence on Kenyan bands in the 70s a lot of them sounded like him and one of them that we had a Kenyan bandleader