The 8-Bit Big Band

The 8-Bit Big Band
Image courtesy of the artist
The 8-Bit Big Band is a Grammy Award–winning symphonic jazz orchestra dedicated to celebrating and reinventing the iconic soundtracks of video games. Blending contemporary jazz with bold, imaginative arrangements, the ensemble transforms beloved themes into fresh, standalone musical experiences that push the boundaries of how game music is heard, felt, and appreciated.
Formed in 2017 with the release of their debut album Press Start, the 8-Bit Big Band quickly made waves with their follow-up, Choose Your Character, in 2018. Their Grammy Award–winning third album, Backwards Compatible (2022), and fourth release, Game Changer (2023), further cemented their status as pioneers in video game music reinterpretation. Since its inception, the band has built a massive online following, amassing millions of views on YouTube and hundreds of thousands of subscribers, followers, and listeners worldwide. They've sold out concert venues across the US, bringing their electrifying performances to fans everywhere. While the ensemble features top-tier musicians from around the globe, many are based in New York City and rank among the most in-demand performers in the industry.
The 8-Bit Big Band draws inspiration from some of the most iconic video game titles of all time, reimagining their soundtracks through the lens of large ensemble jazz. Their mission is to bring the artistry of big band arranging into the digital age—honoring video game music with the same level of craftsmanship in arrangement, performance, and production traditionally reserved for classic symphonic jazz orchestras. Their musical style spans decades, blending the timeless techniques of big band writing with a bold, contemporary approach. The result is an eclectic, genre-defying listening experience that bridges the worlds of gaming, jazz, and modern orchestral music.