Big Jazz Band Music with Great Sound


I don’t listen to much jazz but I was at a concert over the weekend that had some new pieces in the style of big band/swing music.  The recordings that I do own from that era were made on 78s or mono LPs and while I have nothing against older technology, and since this is an audiophile site, I was wondering if someone could recommend some albums in more up to date sound (stereo will do) for me to explore 

mahler123

Showing 2 responses by puptent

I should have mention the Seatbelts, especially the Cowboy Bebop records. Available as Japan Pressings.

There are sooo many swing and big band artists out there in the used records bins. Like, the Dorsey Brothers, Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman (the Live At Radio City is an awesome album-- Gene Krupa on drums), it just goes on and on. More modern big bands: Al Hirt, Herb Alpert, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinson(sp) and two of my favorite contemporary big bands: Akiyoshi/ Tabackin Band-- Husband wife team of Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin, together and in separate projects, including solo efforts. I think they might both still be alive. And the Kenny Clark/ Francy Boland Band. Two great albums of theirs are "Smile" and "More Smiles". Very popular in Europe, check discogs... Buddy Rich has an accessible catalog with his big band. One of my favorite female singers of the swing  and jazz era is Anita O'day.

Once you start your search you will find a lot of MONO recordings. I have a dedicated mono turntable/cartridge setup in each of my systems, but not strictly needed, any good elliptical stereo cartridge, like Denon, should safely play your mono records, just not the other way around, don't use a mono stylus/cartridge for your modern stereo records.