Left one in big band somehow playing without notes (2-7)
I believe the answer is:
ad-libbing
'left one in big band somehow playing without notes' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'one in big band somehow playing without notes' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'one' could be 'li' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'li' is found within the answer.
'in' is within the answer.
'notes' could be 'db' and 'db' is found in the remaining letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ad-libbing that I've seen before include "Improvising" , "Speaking without preparation" .)