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Need some recommendations - hard driving big band

Hi...Been trying to get into jazz... seems the only thing that works for me is "hard bob." I'm just starting to realize that I might prefer the big band stuff! I always thought Big Band was old fogey music...but lately it seems to me to have more fire and energy than the jazz I've been listening to. Maybe this is what I've been missing?

What I'm looking for: The best I can describe is that (like everyone) I love Duke's (fake or real) Diminuendo in Blue.... Give me a few albums of that type of stuff and I'll never leave the house!

I'm thinking Count Basie? But I I have no idea where to start.

Again, I want it hard driving/rocking or the slow building to a boil stuff..not melodic noodling.

Does this even make sense?
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maxnewid
362 posts
 
Indigo Swing's albums and their singer Johnny Boyd's solo efforts are fun as well.

And don't forget Sinatra. You can occasionally pick up Sinatra box sets on Ebay pretty cheap.
larryi
1,972 posts
 
Not easy to find, but, worth the effort:

Dizzy Gillespie "Reunion Big Band" album--a 1968 hard bop live album from a Berlin concert. A version of "Things to Come" that is unbeatable.
chayro
1,801 posts
 
Well, I've never commented on a typo before, but "Hard
Bob"? C'mon. That's too funny. I think he starred in
"Star Whores" and "The Empire Strikes
Ass".

OK, if you want a great big band record, pick up
Basie Straight Ahead. Charts by Sammy Nestico. Check out
Basie - Magic Flea on You Tube, which is off that record.
Astounding music.
russ69's avatar
russ69
179 posts
 
Henry Mancini, Big Latin Band. Not what it sounds like. Great tunes that drive hard and the recording quality is top shelf.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Some good suggestions so far.  For someone who likes Duke Ellington and Hard Bob, I mean Hard Bop I particularly like the Count Basie (duh!), Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, and Goodwin's Big Phat Band recs.  I would add:

Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band:

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=18q6jj786#/watch?v=o7quash4Cic

Kenny Clark/Francy Boland Big Band (a litle hard to find)

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=18q6jj786#/watch?v=iosSZvrDyf0

Rob MacConnell's Boss Brass.  If you are into vinyl and can find his Direct to Disc LP's on the Umbrella label they are dynamite.

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=18q6jj786#/watch?list=PLVRgqTDxIgSRgmOgkFBRR5rEfkOL4mhOI&v=VtRtNVgk-Fs

And if you like classic vocals with big band,  "Frank Sinatra At The Sands" is a must have:

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=18q6jj786#/watch?v=RTrI74EH7X0
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