The OUBB is the oldest big band of Oxford University. It was originally founded in 1961 by Peter Hartley and Bill Ashton MBE, the latter of whom went on to become the founding Musical Director of Britain’s internationally-renowned National Youth Jazz Orchestra, NYJO. In its early years the band rehearsed and performed mainly within Oxford, but over time, ventured around the UK entering and winning various inter-university jazz competitions.

In 2005, following many years in hiatus, the OUBB was reformed by Tanzil Rahman, Rhydian Griffiths and Tom Parsons in response to growing demand within the University for a top-flight jazz ensemble. The modern incarnation of the band quickly grew in stature, performing, recording and touring in short time; by the end of its first year back in operation it became the first ever big band to perform in Oxford's foremost concert hall, the Sheldonian Theatre.

The OUBB is unique among big bands in the UK in that it performs overseas annually. Since its re-formation in 2005, the band has performed in Barcelona (2006), Delhi and Mumbai (2007), and the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival (2008). In 2009, the band along with Mark Armstrong performed the Solstice Suite at the international North Sea Jazz Festival, a feat unmatched by any other big band of its kind in the country. Furthermore, in 2010 the OUBB travelled to China to perform as part of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Festival.

Boasting a surplus of dedicated, energetic and talented young musicians, the band has once again cemented itself as the premier jazz ensemble of the University.