Founded in 1986 by jazz and studio trombonist Milt Bernhart ("I've Got You Under My Skin"), the Big Band Academy of America is a non-profit organization devoted to furthering the public's knowledge of and interest in big bands, both past and present.

Those who join the BBAA as supporting members receive four action-packed newsletters per year, as well as the opportunity to purchase tickets to the Big Band Reunion, the BBAA's annual luncheon/concert, at a specially discounted rate. The 2005 Big Band Reunion will be held the afternoon of Sunday, March 6th, at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, California. The recipients this year of the Academy's highest honor, the Golden Bandstand award, are drummer Louie Bellson and trumpeters Clora Bryant and Snooky Young.

In its role as a non-profit organization, the BBAA distributes all monies remaining after expenses to groups and individuals involved in one way or another in the advancement of big bands. In 2004, the Academy made a dozen studio-quality Sennheiser headphones available to the Los Angeles Jazz Society. In past years the BBAA purchased band instruments and uniforms for local schools.

Since Milt Bernhart's death, his son David has assumed the presidency of the Big Band Academy, working in concert with a board of directors that includes notables such as trombonist Bill Tole and pianist Joe Harnell. David is happy to hear from anyone interested in learning more about membership in the BBAA. He may be reached at the Big Band Academy's e-mail address, miltbernhart@email.com.