What is "ghost band"

n. 1 (context sciences English) Any spurious results clustered together, outside of normal expected ranges (as in a plot of recorded energy values, with an inexplicable blot, marring the clean expected results). 2 (context biology English) A large band or stripe that appears on a developed gel as a wide halo with no specific, distinguishable signal. Ghost bands are a common problem in western blot analysis. 3 (context entertainment English) Impersonators of a well-known band hired to perform while the real band members are elsewhere.

A ghost band is, in the case of big band jazz, a band that performs under the original name of a deceased leader. In the case of rock, under a relaxed definition, it is a band that performs under the name of the original band whose founders are either deceased or have left the band. Use of the phrase may refer to a repertory jazz ensemble, such as a Dixieland band, with a longstanding, historic name. But in the strictest sense, a ghost band is connected in some way to a deceased leader.