Biography
A Belgian conductor named Francis Bay fronted a large ensemble that blended swing, progressive jazz, Afro-Latin grooves, and original pieces across the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s. Most of the band’s output appeared under the name Francis Bay and his Orchestra, though Bay separately pursued a series of tribute and concept albums titled Francis Bay Plays Music Of that drew on material by Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Les Brown. Of the group’s numerous releases, only one surfaced under the distinct credit Bay Big Band. Between 1956 and 1966 the same orchestra served as the resident ensemble for Belgian Radio.