Jude

(Google just seems to know "rehearsal - band" and "rehearsal, band": those I can figure out.)

MFfan

What I can dredge up from memory is that over the years, some music composer would pay for a studio group to play their new compositions so that fine tuning could be done on the scores, before an actual recording session , etc, by a "name group." I think that applied to big band, rock groups, etc.

Also, vocalists could work on new material with a rehearsal group ahead of their main gig. I am sure others could elaborate, or correct me if I am wrong.

Brekelefuw

In my neck of the woods rehearsal bands are run to keep people playing. It is made up of pro's and semi pro's and students and arrangers and composers can bring charts to play test and get feedback on. These bands don't gig, or gig very little.

It is a way of making connections

zoundz

The rehearsal band that I play in is pretty straightforward. We get together on Monday nite and play big band charts for a couple of hours. We have fun. We work on our chops. We get to play in a totally non-judgmental environment. No worries about clams. No egos about who gets the solo. Very pleasant way to go. Our band has been playing for something like 25 years. We have maybe 500 charts. We practice in a municipal park facility and play a few gigs every year to "pay" for our use of the facilities. There are old guys that have been playing for hundreds of years and relatively young guys and everything in between. People show up and play. People don't show up. We play good. We play horrible. We play for the fun of it. Isn't that what music is all about?

Jimi Michiel

There are a couple of rehearsal bands here in the Twin Cities. They're mainly bands that play "in" more than they play "out." I've done some good networking in these bands, and had a lot of fun while doing it. Also, coming from a classical background, these groups have been great for me to work on my jazz chops.

-Jimi

Vulgano Brother

Some incredible players came up through Don Ellis' rehearsal band.

Jude

Thanks for the responses, everybody - it sounds like a great concept.

wiseone2

Rehearsal Bands in New York were usually all-star groups of the busiest guys in town who wanted to play music their way, not the way they were highly paid to play. Thad and Mel's band existed because of the love for Thad's writing.
Clark Terry and Duke Pierson's band operated for the same reasons. Pro's having fun!
Wilmer

Brekelefuw

Joe Henderson also had a big band like that. They even did an album