Hailing from Germany, Chris Walden has combined the two elements of European big band with classic American big band to release a great album.What really stands o…
14 Apr
Hot Swing, Cool Jazz by Nancy Osborne
Friday, 14 April 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
When is the last time you smiled or laughed? Research on the effects of smiling has shown that a smiling person is judged to be more pleasant, attractive, sincere, socia…
09 Apr
The Very Thought Of You by Rory Partin Big Band
Sunday, 09 April 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
It isn’t often that you think of Big Band music emanating from Tennessee, the center of everything Country and most gospel vibes. Rory Partin however is not originally f…
13 Mar
Spirit Music by Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra
Monday, 13 March 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Bob Brookmeyer, master of the valve trombone, was an arranger at 14. Influenced by 20th century classical music and such jazz giants as Eddie Sauter, Gil Evans, and George …
08 Mar
No Bounds by Chris Walden Big Band
Wednesday, 08 March 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Chris Walden made his bandleading debut last year with the fine, Grammy-nominated disc Home of My Heart. Its follow up is No Bounds, which seems to suf…
02 Mar
Some Skunk Funk by Randy Brecker with Michael Brecker
Thursday, 02 March 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
This memorable collection is a live recording, arranged and conducted by the creative Vince Mendoza, featuring the Brecker brothers with the WDR Big Band. These big band…
28 Feb
Dear Mr. Sinatra by John Pizzarelli
Tuesday, 28 February 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Please take a letter.... Can we please try and venture outside the box of old blue eyes.... Sinatra as fantastic an entertainer as he was is in tribute overdrive.... Sig…
24 Feb
Dear Mr. Sinatra by John Pizzarelli
Friday, 24 February 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
If the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree it's only natural that John Pizzarelli would one day pay homage to the music of Frank Sinatra. John's father is guitarist…
23 Feb
Dear Mr. Sinatra by John Pizzarelli
Thursday, 23 February 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
John Pizzarelli on vocals and guitar, along with The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, ring in a splendid tribute to Frank Sinatra with this fine collection of big band/s…
22 Feb
The Subway Ballet by Randy Sandke and the Metatonal Big Band
Wednesday, 22 February 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Trumpeter/composer Randy Sandke's The Subway Ballet takes us, and a young dancer with her mother, from downtown to Harlem. At forty-five minutes or so with interes…
14 Feb
Bolton Swings Sinatra by Michael Bolton
Tuesday, 14 February 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Absolutely amazing was my initial response after listening to this CD twice! Michael Bolton not only pulls it off singing a tribute to Sinatra with the Sinatra big band …
03 Feb
Old School: New Lessons by Bob Mintzer Big Band
Friday, 03 February 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Bob Mintzer is without doubt one of the eminent legends in contemporary jazz. One of my greatest joys as a jazz lover was when I snatched him out (three years ago), play…
21 Jan
Reasons To Be Thankful by Art Lillard's Heavenly Band
Saturday, 21 January 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Those who love big-band jazz should go down on their knees and thank Art Lillard and his kind. The New York based drummer/arranger/bandleader has been leading the 12 or 13 …
13 Jan
The Word is Out! by Jaco Pastorius Big Band
Friday, 13 January 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The Word is Out treats us to an electric performance by the Jaco Pastorius Big Band. Like its predecessor, Word of Mouth Revisited, special guests include an …
08 Jan
Reasons To Be Thankful by Art Lillard's Heavenly Band
Sunday, 08 January 2006
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Here’s a nice presentation by Art Lillard’s big band from New York City. Lillard’s classy congregation retains the spirit of the swing era but avoids repeating all the time…
28 Sep
for J.G. by Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band
Wednesday, 28 September 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
For J.G is the Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band. Its name humbly sits in the corridors from those in the past, "for Jazz Giants" and gives a blasting ode to Dizzy Gillespi…
21 Sep
Don't be afraid...the music of Charles Mingus by Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Wednesday, 21 September 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The music of Charles Mingus is unique in the history of jazz. What makes it unique is also the reason I can’t recommend the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra’s tribute album…
12 Sep
Treacherous by Tony Gairo-Gary Rissmiller Jazz Orchestra
Monday, 12 September 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
I really liked this new big band album from the Tony Gairo-Gary Rissmiller Jazz Orchestra. Bands like this, containing relatively unknown musicians, seem to be springing up…
11 Sep
Blues Caravan by Buddy Rich
Sunday, 11 September 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
For those looking for drummer, Buddy Rich, at his finest, this CD collection ranks among his best efforts, and is a classic for jazz drum performances. These performance…
10 Sep
TNT – A Tommy Newsom Tribute by Sherrie Maricle & The Diva Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, 10 September 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
In 2005, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra detonated a brilliant effort of pure untarnished swing as they released TNT - A Tommy Newsom Tribute from Diva Jazz Lightyear. Wi…
06 Sep
Swing Cafe by Gerry Beaudoin Trio
Tuesday, 06 September 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The disc starts off with "Just Among Friends," a spry, lively tune, written by Beaudoin and featuring some compelling solos by Bucky Pizzarelli and Billy Novick. Followi…
28 Aug
TNT: A Tommy Newsom Tribute by Sherrie Maricle & The Diva Jazz Orchestra
Sunday, 28 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
When reviewing a jazz release by an all-female band, it’s difficult to resist the urge to make at least some passing comment on the gender issue, and rather than try to …
27 Aug
In My Time by Gerald Wilson Orchestra
Saturday, 27 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
In My Time, the new release from the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, is a different kind of big band album. It is more than simply music - it is genius personifie…
26 Aug
Big Band Blues by Swingadelic
Friday, 26 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
These guys can really jive and wail. Led by bassist Dave Post and featuring alto saxophonist, Buddy Terry, who played with huge names such as Ray Charles, Count Basie, A…
25 Aug
Super Blue by Mt.Hood Jazz Band 2005
Thursday, 25 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Director Susie Jones must be proud of her festival-winning bands at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, and justifiably so. The current edition is just back from…
24 Aug
The Everest Years by Ernie Wilkins
Wednesday, 24 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
One of the jazz world’s best known arrangers, Ernie Wilkins (1919-1999) was born in Saint Louis where he and his childhood pal Clark Terry gigged as teenagers. It was Clark…
18 Aug
Chubby Takes Over by Chubby Jackson
Thursday, 18 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
It should be mentioned up front that this is almost the same band that Woody Herman brought to the Everest studios in September 1958. Chubby Jackson was part of many of Her…
10 Aug
Easy As It Gets by John Sheridan's Dream Band
Wednesday, 10 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Easy As It Gets is the fourth CD by John Sheridan’s Dream Band. In typical fashion, Sheridan digs deep into the archives of his own memory and comes up with an in…
09 Aug
Momento by University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One 2004-200
Tuesday, 09 August 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
After hearing the opening track, a rendition of Benny Carter's "Miss Missouri" that is so by-the-numbers and competent to the point of sterility, one could be excused fo…
29 Jul
Five-Fifteen: A Tribute to the BBC Dance Orchestra by Mart Sander and his Swing Swindlers
Friday, 29 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The nostalgic swing music of the 30s and 40s is making a come back of sorts in a new release from the Divine Art label based in the United Kingdom. The new album is titl…
21 Jul
Canadian Composers Profiles: Phil Nimmons by Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra featuring Phil Nimmons
Thursday, 21 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Canadian Composers Profiles: Phil Nimmons is the product of the Canadian Music Centre's Centrediscs label. The CMC supports Canadian composers by loaning works an…
19 Jul
The Lost Tapes DVD by Buddy Rich and His Band
Tuesday, 19 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Rare Footage of Elder, Undiminished Buddy RichThe Lost Tapes was originally recorded and broadcast in 1985 when Buddy Rich was 67 years old. It was …
12 Jul
Instruments Of Mass Pleasure by Alex Budman and the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, 12 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
A fixture at Jazz At Pearls in San Francisco every Monday night for over a decade, The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra led by saxophonist/bandleader, Alex Budman, have just …
03 Jul
Up and at Em: Early Victor Electric Hot Dance Bands 1925 -1927 by Various Artists
Sunday, 03 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Up and At 'Em: Early Victor Electric Hot Dance Bands 1925 - 1927 documents the early jazz era, that seminal time when jazz was becoming America's official "pop mu…
01 Jul
The Young Benny Goodman 1928 - 1931 by Benny Goodman
Friday, 01 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Benny Goodman (b. 1909 Chicago, d. 1986 New York) was born into a large, poor, Russian-Jewish family in Chicago. His remarkable skills as a musician and band-lead…
01 Jul
Bamba-Samba Bossa Nova by Charlie Byrd Featuring The Woody Herman Big Band
Friday, 01 July 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Charlie Byrd (1925-1999) is, perhaps, better known for his recordings with Stan Getz and the gems turned out with Herbie Ellis and Barney Kessel. All but the closest follow…
Back in 1939, Gerald Wilson joined the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra as a trumpet soloist and an arranger. 66 years later, Wilson is still very activ...
28 Jun
Unit Eleven - Song for Her by Michael Loesch
Tuesday, 28 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Unit Eleven is a small band with a big sound, based in Italy's South Tyrol region, founded by saxophonist Helga Plankensteiner and pianist/composer Michael Lösch in 2001. W…
25 Jun
Tommy Dorsey: The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing (3-CD set) by Tommy Dorsey
Saturday, 25 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
This three CD set is the centennial music collection of the great Tommy Dorsey. Dorsey was oftentimes thought of as the sentimental gentleman of swing and big band with …
21 Jun
The Lost Tapes (DVD) by Buddy Rich
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
The Lost Tapes is not just another big band performance on DVD. The project was planned, staged and recorded on an elaborately designed sound-stage. Recorded only tw…
18 Jun
Pags Groove by Michael Pågan Big Band
Saturday, 18 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Duke Ellington had the hard-earned luxury, and headache, of having his own full-time traveling orchestra as an outlet for his compositions. Although that is impossible in 2…
14 Jun
(DVD) The Lost Tapes by Buddy Rich and His Band
Tuesday, 14 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
As stated in the press kit, the producers of this project recovered the masters from a fire back in 1990, and proceeded to embark upon a restoration project. The histori…
07 Jun
Menza Lines by Don Menza Big Band
Tuesday, 07 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
It's been a long time between recording dates for the Don Menza Big Band. Menza, a monster tenor player and creative arranger, led his own big band on the West Coast in the…
06 Jun
16 Men & A Chick Singer Swingin by Pratt Brothers Big Band Featuring Roberta Gambarin
Monday, 06 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Fellow jazz fans if you're feeling in the mood to shake rattle and roll (to borrow a phrase from rock) or otherwise swing a thing or two, take a listen to 16 Men & A…
04 Jun
Afro-Bossa by Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Saturday, 04 June 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Was Duke Ellington one of THE GREATEST chefs in the crazily eclectic kitchen of American Music? Yet another long-unavailable chapter in Dukal lore has b…
31 May
The Everest Years by Charlie Barnet
Tuesday, 31 May 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
They called him "Wild Mab." (There's a story behind that fishpond tune!) Charlie Barnet was independently wealthy, much-married and larger than life. At 16 he was a bandlea…
29 May
Fantazm by John La Barbera Big Band
Sunday, 29 May 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Fantazm is a fantastic high energy big band production with sizzling solos, great rhythm work and a brass section that delivers the big band so…
17 May
Live at MCG by The Clayton- Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
Tuesday, 17 May 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
2005 marks the 20th year anniversary of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra; taken from a May, 2004 concert at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh, the release o…
09 May
Vibrant Tones by City Rhythm Orchestra
Monday, 09 May 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
Big band music has had its share of accolades and failures, too numerous at times to even discuss. However, the point is the successes prevail more often today with some…
05 May
Swingin The Benny Goodman Songbook by Terry Blaine
Thursday, 05 May 2005
Published in
Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews
There have been many tributes to Benny Goodman over the years but here is one with a delightful difference. Singer Terry Blaine, clarinetist Allan Vaché and stride pianist …