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modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 05-12-2014

Keying on a remark SteveO made a while back, here are 3 modern masters of large aggregation orchestras (I hesitate to call them "Big Bands"--that puts folks in mind of '30's swing groups): Tadd Dameron and Lew Tabackin--Toshiko Akiyoshi.
Tadd Dameron Not a lot released under his name--mostly he was band leader for the Big Dogs and small-group leader on his own. Here's the CD to get: http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-magic-touch-of-tadd-dameron-mw0000378367 Mostly it's his charts not his playing you want to hear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEPgbDEz2Oc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFNKwGcdYs << By the Charles McNeal Big Band *
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i968synbKxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81JwwdV7ibo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxvZnF8whBc << a bit stiff to me but, hey! they're kids--they'll loosen up, get edgier, those who stay as working musicians.

* Mr. McNeal is out out of Las Vegas, Nevada, and I'd guess recruited UNLV and pit band players for this band. Here's another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1U58IZo0aE
If you want an excellent trio transcription/playing of Mr.Dameron, you want this: http://www.allmusic.com/album/barry-harris-plays-tadd-dameron-mw0000899911

Lew Tabackin-Toshiko Akiyoshi The most fruitful partnership of the last 25 years. Long-lasting weekly gig at an important NYC club. A "must stop" for traveling jazz artists (always plenty of pop folks in attendance too).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDWuCIQZMCo << stops short, as the uploader explains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E_J4RZqpEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiOcoIWQXi4 << this song title = my goal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxa0tU4wLow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BpQcwe4ncs

Carla Bley and Lalo Schiffrin later...Maria Schneider presented in the "2 Women band leaders" Thread.


modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 09-12-2014

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Mr. G has been running this outfit for 15 years, wiriting many of the songs, doing all the arranging and calling on the cream of Los Angeles session folks to play. Also look at the number and variety of top-name folks they've backed. A good Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Goodwin%27s_Big_Phat_Band and the Site: http://www.bigphatband.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB8vzBcoEcg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT_WRVzD3XI << nice take on that Benny Goodman piece--not to be mistaken for a recent pop piece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yP04TYTM9E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GR3dAtAPz8 << Taking Mongo Santamaria's classic to a different place...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm6Mr7NAfwU << working their magic on Mozart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WajpZj0GeTw << I don't think this totally pre-planned--Sr. Sandoval would've brought his own horn if so
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMJ5SlII4Fc << if it's music, they can play it...and kill it.


modern big band jazz - SteveO - 10-12-2014

A new discovery...Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra! Great stuff! The album Strength in Numbers is one of the best jazz big band albums of 2014!


[video=youtube;YPAmloFzY8U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPAmloFzY8U[/video]


modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 10-12-2014

If I may expand on SteveO's magnificent mention?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s70X0QGmPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUoW99-qBcc << If you play the Blue Note, you have made it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8eBhisV1U8 << It sure is a treat to hear Roseanna Vitro--been a fan forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h1Npx44DL4 << evidently, this whole gig is available song-by-song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDiWep4l6xk << from a 2010 gig--one cramped workspace


modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 10-12-2014

Grand to see an artist with the meat and the might of Roy Hargrove putting all that to work, keeping the large aggregation concept alive and lively. Mr. Hargrove is one of the top trumpeters/flugelhornists ever...and actually I prefer him on the f-horn. Please also look him up in a smaller-group setting--you'll be quite pleased. Here's 2 concerts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70g85lr79cY << This is his band...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7UHjW_4FkE <<...and fronting a German radio/TV outfit. A bit more pop-ish but that first commenter is dead wrong--nothing BS about this.


modern big band jazz - MichaelGagliardi - 13-12-2014

A big band has just as important role in the development of the modern jazz music. Big band was came for a short period, they are part of jazz music from many years. The modern big band has made a resurgence.


modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 08-01-2015

Here's a left-field entry: The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra A big band, thoroughly professional that gets major talent to come play with them *, from a moderate-size city in the heart of Tennessee. The Site: http://www.knoxjazz.org/ The Discog highlighting 1 CD: http://www.allmusic.com/album/blues-man-from-memphis-mw0000476359 << This review by one of the better writers--a mark of respect.
Tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTQOTPmmtmk << yes, a promo vid but well-done with music all the way through
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUXBv-DAolg << w/ Stefon Harris, a modern vibraphone master << a not-wonderful vid--much better of course on CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DX-rbhncdg << Their take on a Sondheim score--as a commenter said,"Stan Kenton would be proud to play this."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmAwWLcKko << W/ Brian Lynch, a premier Latin jazz interpreter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jHJICcCg78 << Playing some serious charts behind a very good singer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXpHs6KwVI << w/ Conrad Herwig. Good sound, crappy vid

*Check those YT clips again--Stefon Harris, Conrad Herwig and Donald Brown are not fly-weights or wanna-be's.


modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 05-03-2015

At the bottom edge of big bands by number but assuredly not in heart and soul is the S.F. Jazz Collective--8 in number, much bigger by sound. 8 leaders merging their appropriately-large egos for the common good. A Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SFJAZZ_Collective A discog (plus: please do look into each player's discog, as the spirit moves you *): http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sfjazz-collective-mn0000092553/discography << Their concert tours are a wonder to behold and captured well on CD. Their Site (remember: they're a collective so not every member, every day and they do change players, depending on outside obligations, etc. ).
Let me be blunt: no late-period modern jazz collection is complete without them...at <$10 apiece at the Usual Suspect, their first 2 CDs will convince--can't wait for the price to moderate on their Stevie Wonder tribute/re-imagining.

Some tunes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBBZ-2PzSgY << those charts are merely guidance, a base plate--these are modern masters playing...and enjoying each other's company.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS8pmw6sZHA << Interesting perspective on how music gets presented to the ensemble and how that music then gets made.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRN-j4ky5g << From '06, With Ms. Rosnes on piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgMMPItMS70 << Hardly gets better than doing a great tune with its monster author
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NvOsCPbbl8 << Horace Silver's beautiful homage to his immigrant father.

BONUS 1: a near-2-hour concert from '10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQwsTLX-p58 << feel free to dip for a song or two...but you'll stay for the full ride. Nice recording, pro-shot vid.
BONUS 2: An '07 concert, this time with Ms. Rosnes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg7ohAnNuwk

* I'm especially enamoured of Ms.Renee Rosnes so here's hers (the more you hear, the more you like with her; great sense of humour; Canadian, natch).: http://www.allmusic.com/artist/renee-rosnes-mn0000387580/discography << all the stars are out when she plays; do yourself a favor: get that Danish Ork BB piece--it's like an energy drink on plastic.


modern big band jazz - SteveO - 06-03-2015

Not big band but a great novelty song from the big band era in the forties! Song is from 2013 movie Gangster Squad(good watch). The infamous version by Carmen Miranda was of poor quality!

I love that samba beat!!!!

[video=youtube;5UM5WRGkKtQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UM5WRGkKtQ[/video]


modern big band jazz - jazzboCR - 06-03-2015

To access SteveO's pick, click on the underlined sentence.