Jazz Big Band Recommendations?

Nighthawk, if you like Big Band stuff, you must have a pretty good system huh?

boy, did you guys hit my sweet spot with is thread.

Here's the webpage for one of the best kept secrets in Big Band Jazz: http://www.knoxjazz.org/. CDs available.

Also, I've been doing a lot of traveling lately to Paducah, KY. You won't believe this but the Basie band was there in March....and Maynard Ferguson was there just a few weeks ago.....in Paducah Kentucky! BTW, I think Maynard also has a new Big Band CD out.

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

I just ordered Big Phat Band off Ebay a few days ago. Sounds like I'm in for a big surprise. Have any of you guys tried any of the CDs I mentioned earlier?

Nighthawk,
About KJO: There's a tune they wrote called "Angst". They always play it at all their concerts here in Knoxville. I would have to say, it's their signature tune. I don't think thier latest CD has it on it though..... I would start out with their latest [The Music of Donald Brown], which came out a few months ago. If you like it, then you can go back in time. All their stuff is pretty good.

I think the Nashville Orchestra is much like the Knoxville Orchestra.....just a bunch of guys with day jobs [some in music...some not] who love to play. It's amazing to me that these groups stay together. Most of them play virtually for free.

I'll look into your recommendations. BTW, I find Big Band Basie [Reference Recordings] to be excellent for tuning in a system.

Tom,
I agree 100% about KS All-stars. I wouldn't worry to mach about the movie though. It was good but the soundtrack was much better.

For those loving Big Band music, you may also want to look at big bands from South of the border. I saw Bueno Vista Social Club here last year at the Tennessee Theater. The name of their big band is called the Afro-Cuban All Stars and they have several CDs out and their singer is TERRIFIC!. All I can say is when I saw them, they had people here ...in Knoxville, TN...literally dancing in the isles. If you know anything about Knoxville, then you know how special that is.

heard a piece of this on NPR Jazz last night. Pretty good stuff.

http://www.johnlabarbera.com/newcd.html

Great suggesion about Clayton/Hamilton. BTW, I just got in a DVD of the Mike Vax Big Band at Morningside College. Apparently, it's a recording they made at a jazz festival in 1995. I think it's a bunch of guys that used to play with Kenton. Haven't watch it yet.

And here's another one I pulled from the NPR jazz program. This groups been around for awhile. http://www.vanguardjazzorchestra.com/. They do some top flight stuff and they have a new release that you can purchase from their website.