Birdman (Pilotwings 64) ft. Zac Zinger - Smooth Jazz Big Band Version (The 8-Bit Big Band)

The sound track to the beloved N64 launch title "Pilotwings 64" is forever engrained in my brain! I've always loved it's incredible combination of funk, jazz, soul, and other great grooves and feels. I wanted to feature my friend and incredible reed player Zac Zinger on "Birdman" which is arguably one of video game music's most chill vibes to ever be composed!
I saw him perform an original composition of his on the EWI (electronic wind instrument) and knew right away I wanted to feature his playing on a tune, and this seemed like the perfect fit for the smooth sounds of the synthesizer/saxophone hybrid instrument.
Hope you enjoy!! Thanks for listening!! Be sure to like an subscribe because thats what allows us to keep rolling out new videos :)
Long live video game music!!
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FULL ALBUMS AVAILABLE ON ALL STREAMING SERVICES and BANDCAMP! This song will be on our 3rd album "Backward Compatible" coming January 8th 2021!!
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www.the8bitbigband.com
"The 8-Bit Big Band" is a 30-65 member Jazz/pops orchestra that formed to celebrate and realize some of the best themes from video game music from all consoles and eras arranged in a large ensemble Jazz/Pop/Rock setting!
Blending together timeless musical themes from Nintendo, Sega, Playstation, and more then re-arranging them in genres and styles of all musical inspirations, The 8-Bit Big Band has members from all around the world, but most reside primarily in New York City, and are some of the most highly sought after musicians and performers.
Band leader/Arranger/Orchestrated by:
/ crosenmusic
@CRosenMusic
FULL CREDITS:
EWI (electronic wind instrument) Soloist - Zac Zinger
Alto Sax 1 - Andrew Gould
Alto Sax 2 - Jordan Pettay
Tenor Sax 1 - Zac Zinger
Tenor Sax 2 - Carlos Eiene
Bari Sax - Andrew Gutauskas
Trumpet 1 - John Lake
Trumpet 2 - Chloe Rowlands
Trumpet 3 - Max Boiko
Trumpet 4 - Allison Phillips
Trombone 1 - Jimmy O'Connell
Trombone 2 - Javier Nero
Trombone 3 - Becca Patterson
Bass Trombone - Ron Wilkins
Bass - Julia Adamy
Piano - Jake Silverman
Guitar - Charlie Rosen
Drums - Jared Schonig
Violins - Tomoko Akaboshi, Lavinia Pavlish, Meitar Forkosh, Daniel Constant, Maria Im, Kevin Kuh, Eli Bishop, Danielle Britstein
Violas - Laura Sacks, Matthew Beauge, Yumi Oshima, Sarah Greene
Cello - Sasha Ono, Susan Mandel, Marta Bagratuni
Harp - Liann Cline
Music by Dan Hess
Arrangements and Production - Charlie Rosen
Engineered and Mixed by John Kilgore
Mastered by Alan Silverman at Arf Mastering
Shot and Edited by Halleloo Productions
Animations by Roger Miller
Thumbnail art by @MikeKILLUZ
#the8bitbigband #videogamemusic #videogamejazz

[@SonicArtist313]

Charlie, I love that you did your own take on it, taking it full smooth jazz. Incredible arrangement and performances by all including the engineering and mastering. Zac, all I can say is "wow"... Thanks so much for this. Wish I could have joined you for the live performances.

[@The8BitBigBand]

Dan thanks so much for the kind words!! Makes it all worth while when the composer himself gives it the seal of approval! I'll let you know when the next live show is if you're in town! Thanks again for listening!

[@dennisreynolds6915]

Dan Hess we need your funky new tunes ASAP in 2021

[@DugrozReports]

A nod from the man himself!

[@bozengle]

DAN HESS

[@dekarthegreat]

Dan, your music was an integral part of my childhood and I think there are thousands more who aren't commenting here on KZbin who feel the same way. I'm so happy you can see your music brought to full light and I hope you appreciate what you did for us. You're an absolute legend.

[@SonicArtist313]

Charlie, just wanted to let you know that this continues to blow me away. All I can say is how much I appreciate you and all that you do, including every member of the band. So sad that I missed the studio and live performances but thank you for inviting me. Hope to catch you live soon and grab a drink. Don't stop what you're doing. You bring so much joy and pure nostalgia to so many.

[@DugrozReports]

^^^ 100% ^^^

[@sixstanger00]

26 years later and your scores for Pilotwings 64 still continue to wow listeners. Not many game music composers can lay claim to such an accomplishment. You definitely deserve a spot alongside Koji Kondo.

[@hamstreak5591]

I think the comment got duplicated by that glitch, haha, I see two of it!

[@SonicArtist313]

@@sixstanger00 That is high praise. Thank you, sixstanger.

[@evanpage2540]

​@@sixstanger00yeah I think there's Pilot Wings 64 and The Neverhood for me as best game soundtracks. I'd include Nomad Soul but that was literally just a Bowie album soo...

[@TheeGrybo]

I am 30 years old. I am ten seconds in. And I am crying. Shout out to Dan Hess for making one of the most chill, smooth songs of my childhood, and a HUGE shoutout to the band for making this amazing rendition!

[@The8BitBigBand]

I could have written this exact comment in an alternate universe where you created the arrangement and I was the 30 year old pilot wings player thanks for listening!!

[@SonicArtist313]

Just saw this and thank you! Special thanks to Charlie Rosen and the 8 Bit Big Band for taking this on. Absolutely incredible and it means a lot to me.

[@SonicArtist313]

@@The8BitBigBand Aww, that's just awesome.

[@timsouzaschannel7658]

crying here too,buddy... amazing performance...so much memories :)

[@kylehennkens9578]

Thank you Carlos for showing me what an EWI is

[@SirGiggles]

I felt like my soul just got taken into the clouds at night in the city and was gently brought back down.

[@zingerzmusic]

Whoooooaaa this turned out great! So much fun to play, thanks for the feature!

[@SonicArtist313]

Zac, you killed it. Incredible feel.

[@zingerzmusic]

@@SonicArtist313 can’t believe it’s you! So much fun playing your music!

[@SonicArtist313]

@@zingerzmusic I felt it! Now I just wish I could ride the fader and pull up some of your softer phrases. The EWI 4000 doesn't allow you to adjust the way the breath sensor affects the Volume separately from the Filter and other parameters it affects. The result is that the softer phrases become a bit lost in full band recordings, even with compression. Just want to hear every detail of that performance!

[@vinl.9894]

Zac, beautiful take on this. You put so much emotion into it.

[@jeremybear573]

Wow!

[@jacksonb8123]

Insaneintherain just casually on tenor 2

[@cooldebt]

Small music world - Carlos collaborated with The Consouls (a while back) and the band just dropped this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npXJpaaqYsacacU

[@jezzachu]

The arpeggios from 2:32 are divine. HOW. what a sensitive player!

[@johnkilgore1698]

A little delay can be a magical thing...

[@proxima8574]

I agree still trying to figure out what scale/chords it was

[@BenCol]

I’d never heard of an EWI before watching this, and now I want one.

[@kleingrrmpf]

Dude same thing when I saw insaneintherain use one for the first time ^^

[@ThatDapperMusician]

loool same, and i dont even play a wind instrument

[@moonrazk]

Carlos Eiene, aka insaneintherain uses it quite often. He posted a video talking about it after his awesome Sonic's Studiopolis cover and that video introduced me to T-SQUARE, a great Japanese fusion band that features the EWI a lot, definitely recommend checking them out, both Carlos and T-SQUARE.

[@dellapj]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one with fond memories of this game and this track. Birdman on the USA map was open world before open world was a thing!

[@PhoenixGC89]

Hours just flying. Trying to figure out where my hometown would be on the map. Flying as high as possible just to divebomb and pull up at the last second. 😢 Good times

[@shreeshayelameli]

There are so many points in this where you can just say “Heyyyyy, babey......” in that smoooooooth sexy voice.

[@djstonecipher]

Those EWI arpeggios never fail to make me emotional.

[@joshuaperez-rios7452]

Time stamp?

[@joshuaperez-rios7452]

2:33 nvm I think I got it holy

[@PauwerFurry]

I’m blown away by how much those EWI’s sound exactly like an actual wind instrument. That’s astonishing. And, obviously, an astounding performance by the soloist helps.

[@jonathanstark9147]

I think of all the 8-bit Big Band numbers, this is my favorite. Zac Zinger absolutely was the right choice for this performance, just nailing that smooth, chilling my way through some pretty difficult runs, sound. I would listen to a full Pilotwings album from you guys. I don't think anyone else could do it quite the same. Except Dan Hess himself, but hey, you got his approval so there's that :)

[@RogersBase]

I come back to this once a week for the immaculate vibes.

[@maxm745]

Why has youtube waited three years to show me this, I've searched "Birdman" covers so often! Amazing arrangement of one of my favorite video game songs!

[@BovineDesigns]

I feel like I'm in a hotel way fancier than I can afford.

[@WolFv38]

Lmao. Who knew pilot wings was fronting that way. High class and "higher altitudes" ha!

[@jeremybear573]

Love it!

[@mialljars9846]

The first few seconds, where the chords are descending, sounds like what I imagine falling in love would sound like. This cover is superb! This song was one of my first intros to my interest in jazz music as a kid. Reminds me of the evenings from long ago. The sun is setting and I can smell my mom's cooking sneaking into my room while I play my N64.

[@benkemp907]

Jesus christ this comment is nostalgia on a stick 😂

[@AyeshaShaSha]

I love everything about this comment!

[@Vuusteri]

This is so smoooooth that if it was recorded in 1992, it would be No. 1 hit on Adult Contemporary chart. You all deserve 10x more subscribers!

[@jeremybear573]

I'm thinking more 1993..

[@cooldebt]

Here's another recent recording also worthy of No.1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npXJpaaqYsacacU

[@eanymeanyminymo]

Im thinking 80s. do a KZbin search for 80s Japanese City Pop.

[@twobitmage]

This is one of the best things ever made by a human

[@enrokone]

I remember i spent so many hours in pilotwings 64, just chilling and flying with the birdman music, there are tears in my eyes from remembering good times, wonderful job ❤️

[@canaconn2388]

This really puts me in the mood to listen to 80s jazz all day

[@TitansTracks]

Pilot wings 64 - I had a creepy uncle who loved to show us his collection of N64 games. One day he gave us this game and we could never really understand how to play it but we played it anyway because it was the 90s. When you got a game you played that thing till it stopped working! Although we never really liked the game, I will always remember how laid back the music was in the game. Getting the wing suit and just flying around, listening to these tunes was one of my favourite childhood memories. All 5 of us would just sit there taking turns and just laughing our assess off when the pilot would crash. This is a great take on the Birdman theme. Listening to this brings back lots of those memories! 💎

[@Jacksonzole57]

bro HATS OFF, wow, just wow, thank you for doing this and thanks Dan Hess for making a great song from my childhood

[@novemberbravo6194]

As someone said on Dan Hess’s version of this incredible piece, the inclusion of this tune is the reason for Pilotwings rating being bumped up from E to T. Another arrangement of absolutely sublime quality - it’s artists like you that make me long for words with more heft behind them than “superlative/amazing/peerless”. Thank you, as ever, for sharing your awesome work with us; you’re truly possessed of a masterful touch!

[@jagerzaku9160]

This literally sounds like a Kenny G or Rippingtons piece I’d switch the tv channel to and hear play as I watch the forecast. It’s that good.

[@Fonzi76]

Takes the bad thoughts away n sends positive vibes your way ❤

[@jm_art_ist439]

Bitter-sweet and beautiful, I don't know what it is about this one that brings a warmth to my heart and a tear to my eye.

[@IanPeon]

Never thought in a million years anyone would pay any attention to this track, which has my personal cynicism fearing for it's life. The world is becoming better somehow...

[@DarkMario2]

I remember getting both Mario 64 and Pilotwings with my N64 in Christmas 1996. I had played the crap out of my Dad's NES before this, but Pilotwings was the first video game I owned and this magical cover of Birdman returns me to that feeling. I never got Birdman when I played it originally... But I kept going back to Holiday Island nevertheless and I owe my appreciation for this kind of music to that early exposure. Well done, 8BBB! Thank you Dan Hess!

[@lynararosewater923]

Wow. When I was just a kid this was one of the 5 games I owned. I spent so many hours gliding around in the wing suit listening to the beautiful music. That adventurous sense of wonder and blissful serenity just came rushing back like a peaceful breeze. Thank you 8BBB, truly thank you!

[@The8BitBigBand]

thank YOU for listening!

[@richjsweet]

It's unreal how good this is.

[@laerwen]

Birdman was my most favorite part of Pilotwings 64 - vivid memories of itching to get home from school just so I could fly around that lighthouse one more time... what a memory, what a wonderful arrangement!

[@janee8396]

I periodically listen to Birdman, I think in particular in times when I simply need to. Never came across your video, awesome stuff!

[@z0z2z1]

Yes! We had a short comment convo a while about you working on a PilotWings song. I just found this was posted. Thanks for delivering!

[@WillyShakes]

I first heard this game back in 1996 when the game came out. I was a young kid then, but listening to the Birdman theme always stuck with me. Once KZbin became a thing in the early 2000s, I was able to find the song again. My Metal Head self then branched out and started down a path of smooth jazz and I'm loving it still.

[@The8BitBigBand]

Video Game Music is the great equalizers for all musical genres right?? Thats awesome!

[@user-gp5kn4gm5x]

こんなに素晴らしいアレンジがあったとは！ 泣けてきた。懐かしい。思い返す。

[@rexnar]

Wow, so many memories, thank you all

[@rezahydra]

This is taking me right back to the days of booting up things like Mario 64 and Banjo-Tooie, not because I hadn’t completed them to 100%, but because I simply wanted to explore. Great memories with those times, and just as great a work on this cover. You all truly are fantastically amazing.

[@TheVoiceofTheProphetElizer]

This was such a low pressure, yet still at times challenging game and to me, sums up everything that I loved about the Nintendo 64. It was a completely atmosphere driven game and I rented it enough times I should have bought it. Never did, but now that I have that sweet, sweet adult money, nothing is stopping me.

[@michaelmorford3932]

Super Chill version of a song that brought lots of feels and nostalgia.

[@baby0boolnk2]

選曲が結構マニアックですよね笑 世代だし好きなゲームなんで嬉しいです

[@shuigor6648]

A collab with Zac Zinger?! Awesome, 8-Bit! You guys nailed that ending: simply unforgettable~

[@TommyEfreeti]

Impossibly smooth! What a lovely jam to experience!

[@AColonialBoy]

So hyped for the new album

[@Gerry9000000]

Probably my favourite track on the whole album, it's the one I keep coming back to. Such silky EWI playing

[@pn8646]

This is absolutely insane. Brings back so many good memories.

[@spotifyseascapessmoothjazz]

Thanks 8-bit Band for covering this great but somewhat obscure piece of VGM. Game covers of this level of quality are rare (although hopefully that will change), and this is a very unique blend of big band/smooth jazz. I'm excited to have this on my Spotify playlist. Awesome stuff! 👍

[@PATzz24]

Glad that YT recoomend your channel that I can hear this epic version. I was born in 1995 and I love pilotwing64 so much especially this birdman bgm. And I still play N64 even its 2023. So glad to hear theres a amazing cover like this . Thank you everyone.🥰

[@antoniovilanova745]

Sexy R&B sound. Missionary with plenty of eye contact.

[@rob062388]

This literally made me lol.

[@mavjoef]

I've waited for this cover for 25 years....Jesus guys, what a Christmas gift!

[@joebewon2375]

Took them long enough to take a page out of Carlos’s book. THE RETURN OF THE EWI

[@joebewon2375]

Zach do be vibing tho

[@thesoundsmith]

Nice wind synth. And s always, wonderful writing. And video editing... You guise is the best...

[@Kid_Ying]

Of all the obscure songs to cover, I didn't know this is one I needed. Amazing.

[@longshotomega4258]

I've deffo spent a disproportionate amount of time chilling in Birdman mode! It was always fun to bail on the missions and explore all the little details peppered throughout Pilotwings 64! Amazing work! 💖

[@og-om6we]

Smoother than listening to butter sizzle over cast iron pan. This needs more views.

[@matthewames7257]

This is freaking amazing, my doods!

[@rockman0xz]

The sound of EWI Is beautiful, I love this.

[@discipleofcrispus6581]

I would play the original song on loop every night before I drifted to sleep ever since January. This rendition really does the song justice in my opinion.

[@cooldebt]

I've been playing these boys on loop too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npXJpaaqYsacacU but I only just discovered 8BBB so might be looping them too

[@Cats777]

Very love-making.

[@PyrozPlayground]

Oooooooh! This just flung me back to when I was 6 years old, sitting in the back seat of my dad's car, with him and my mom in the front, driving home from work. As I was looking out the window at the night city lights, and a slight rain falling on the windows. The radio playing something similar..

[@ClockedIt]

I love the internet!! This channel is absolute gold and this rendition of the Birdman song is perfection!!! Actually got goosebumps, amazing! And what a time in gaming.

[@Ranzha_]

This texture is absolutely *luscious* thank you 😍😍😍

[@Flashchocobo]

I remember seeing this in concert and it was my favorite. So glad to hear it again.

[@sgry]

wonderful and just one more reason to play the EWI !!!

[@vanessajazp6341]

That sax run at 1:15 is note-for-note (and chord-for-chord) the same run that David Sunburn plays in his super chill song "Rilkke".

[@Relicanth]

I have never seen an EWI and now I want one.

[@mrmusicguy1]

I have been waiting for this for so long. The Birdman track is my favorite video game composition of all time. Thank you so much!

[@PA25293]

I've Never Played This Game, But The Way You Covered This Song Makes Me Interested In It. As A Jazz Lover, I Wouldn't Have Thought That This Came From A Game!!!! Amazing Job 8BBB!!!!

[@cooldebt]

I've never played this game either but 8BBB is amazing as are these boys: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npXJpaaqYsacacU - they do brilliant VGM covers which I, as a jazz lover, can't get enough of even though I do not play the games :)

[@lostmic]

This was fire I would always go straight to this every time I loaded it up.... feel-good nostalgia.

[@zgmerz7305]

Why doesn't this masterpiece have more views???

[@cooldebt]

I agree. This is a stellar arrangement. I also love this kzbin.info/www/bejne/npXJpaaqYsacacU and they also have too few views for their talent.

[@flaviofuentes4127]

Omg wtf... i just found this... been loving this song from mr hess 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽❤❤❤

[@arcadebops]

one of my faves by you guys! awesome vid & arrangement!

[@MarzyPanda]

So happy to see the Pilotwings 64 soundtrack get some love! I love that game and its soundtrack so much and this is such an amazing cover!

[@kleingrrmpf]

This is sooo chill, I love it

[@GhostandChromis]

Absolutely incredible arrangement. Beautiful job everyone.

[@MatthewGagliardoMusic]

Really cool arrangement! Love the video editing!

[@ducklinquack4608]

I remember seeing this live and FEELING the EWI... very cool!

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

who was playing this live?

[@MisterAppleEsq]

@@TheBlueGoldenHawk The 8-Bit Big Band, I assume.

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

@@MisterAppleEsq like a year ago?

[@MisterAppleEsq]

@@TheBlueGoldenHawk Oh yeah, before covid obviously.

[@suprememryang]

I had never played Pilotwings 64, but this song made me check it out! Great work.

[@backdoortheodore]

4,000 of them views came from me! I wish there was a whole album of smooth jazz big band renditions of VGM featuring the EWI yall crushed it!

[@Apartment2P]

Checked out Pilotwings 64 for the first time recently thanks to Switch Online, the awesome soundtrack is the first thing that stood out to me! This cover is phenomenal, great job!! 🌅

[@TomFewchuk]

Incredible rendition Just one note: the game is officially called "Pilotwings 64" with no space between the words

[@The8BitBigBand]

Ok I was wondering that thank you!

[@TomFewchuk]

@@The8BitBigBand all good!

[@davidkelley8541]

now this is a jammin' birdman.

[@maniac2633]

That was clean, absolutely memorizing arrangement!! Anytime the EWI (or synths) come out I'm instantly swayed

[@josephdawson7937]

best bit big band video fever.

[@soarrefly]

I KNEEEWWWWWW this was going to be smooth.

[@chupathingy13]

Zac just slaying it on the Terminator Flute. YA LIKE ROBOJAZZ?

[@The8BitBigBand]

hahahah the terminator flute I love that

[@DugrozReports]

This is so good!

[@bqzrjx]

Julia knocked it out of the park on bass

[@tiagozeet9254]

beautiful song, beautiful harmony, beautiful saxophonist.. everything beautiful

[@victorandresbastidatorres2313]

sounds marvellous, i love it. keep going pls, love the big band style.

[@davebladegun3009]

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. You guys F*ing CRANKED this one out of the park. Just - amazing. Whew. Excuse me, I think I’ll listen again now.

[@FREDDYEVILBEAR]

This was played at the cornert and it was amazing!! Glad to be able to listen to it all the time!!

[@2beJT]

Bravo! Wow Zac Zinger! Thanks for the great stuff

[@Waderboi2005]

I just met this channel and I already love it

[@The8BitBigBand]

thanks for listening!!

[@sacrificialobama8786]

oh hell yes I absolutely cannot wait for this to be in my playlist

[@McClain3000]

The first 30 seconds of this video is so good that I got upset and had to pause.

[@Fractols]

Holy....shit!! This is 🔥🔥🔥AF. I'm a huge fan of the original, and this is an absolutely amazing interpretation of it 🙌🙌🙌

[@F.San44]

Amazing work my respect

[@jeremybear573]

This is my 22nd time watching this Jam!