The 8-Bit Big Band | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2017–present |
| Members | Charlie Rosen |
| Website | the8bitbigband |
The 8-Bit Big Band is ajazz andpops orchestra directed byCharlie Rosen that specializes in jazzarrangements ofvideo game music. The band won theGrammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella in 2022 and were nominated forBest Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals in 2024.
The 8-Bit Big Band was founded in 2017 byCharlie Rosen, who also serves as thedirector. He did not initially anticipate that the project would be successful in the long term, but it received a positive community response online – particularly onYouTube, which he likened to the "Tin Pan Alley ofvideo game music".[1] Primarily based inNew York City, the band playsarrangements of popular video game songs – which Rosen refers to as "the great video game songbook" – from titles such asMario Kart 64 (1996) andThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998).[1][2] Rosen's background inBroadway theater music led him to incorporate elements of its musical style in his work.[3] Will Friedwald ofThe New York Sun compared many of the band's arrangements to the compositions ofQuincy Jones andStevie Wonder.[4] The band features around 30 performers, most of whom join temporarily, or are hired locally when the band tours.[1] The band's live performances also feature guest performers such asGrace Kelly andLeo Pellegrino.[5][6]
In a collaboration withButton Masher, the band arranged the song "Meta Knight's Revenge", from the gameKirby Super Star (1996), which appeared on their studio albumBackwards Compatible in 2021.[7] In 2022, it was awarded theGrammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella,[8] one of the few times a video game score had been considered at the event, and the first time a song from aNintendo game had won.[7] In 2023, the band covered the song "Last Surprise", fromPersona 5 (2016);PC Gamer's Mollie Taylor appreciated the reworking, finding "extra jazzy vibes along with a sprinkling of some more retro digitized sound bites."[9] The arrangement received a nomination forBest Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals in 2024.[10]
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grammy Awards | 2022 | Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella | "Meta Knight's Revenge" | Won | [8] |
| 2025 | Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals | "Last Surprise" | Nominated | [10] | |
| 2026 | Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella | "Super Mario Praise Break" | Pending | [11] | |
| Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album | Orchestrator Emulator | Pending |