Jazz Big Band Recommendations?

Nighthawk,

Happy to know you appreciate Rich. He wasn't only a great drummer he had an uncanny ability to choose personel that emulated his "full-steam-ahead" style. I have found that many big bands have great soloists but not that succesful ensemble work. Of course, the ultimate "ensemble" guy was Stan Kenton and his many bands. All the greats that later went on to front their own bands and groups played for Kenton. He, like Rich, also handpicked the excellent composers and arrangers that wrote for them.

If Kenton has not been in your collection, please give him a listen. The "Cuban Fire" and "Adventures in Jazz" albums were ground-breaking events in music.

Best wishes.

VVrinc, I'm a big fan of Kenton, too. I was introduced to Kenton's music in the mid '70s when I was playing in my high school's jazz ensemble. I'll check out Cuban Fire, I don't have that one. Another band I like, that carries on Kenton's use of complex harmonies, is Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass. If you can find it, a direct-to-disc recording of theirs simply called Big Band Jazz (1977) is still one of their best, IMO, though "Our 25th Year" (1993) is very good also. They also made a recording with Mel Torme called Velvet and Brass that is excellent.

N'Hawk,

Two more tips for you if you are interested in the new directions big band music is taking.

The UMO Jazz Orchestra (Naxos Jazz 86010-2)
Tolvan Big Band (Naxos Jazz 86025-2)

The first, a Finnish group. The second, from Denmark. Both polinated from American models and influences but absolutely worth-listening for excellent performances and compositions/arrangements.

Regards.

The new Jaco Big Band tribute album is pretty good. I also enjoyed the Claude Bolling Big Band album.

Enjoy,
Bob

if you're still interested, the Basie band is still growing strong. The have a couple of new CDs on mama jazz recordings [mamajazz.org]. On mama jazz, also look for Bob Florence and Gerald Wilson. They both do big band stuff. Also, Qincy Jones did a big band thing a few years ago called Basie and Beyond....I think that's the title. Go to reference recordings home page and look for Big Band Basie. I have more if you need them.
Thanks
Blurock