Jazz Big Band Recommendations?

Thanks, folks. This is exactly what I was looking for. Lots of great recommendations here.

VVrinc, I agree with you on Buddy Rich. There are lots of good drummers. Buddy was incredible.

VVrinc, I'm a big fan of Kenton, too. I was introduced to Kenton's music in the mid '70s when I was playing in my high school's jazz ensemble. I'll check out Cuban Fire, I don't have that one. Another band I like, that carries on Kenton's use of complex harmonies, is Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass. If you can find it, a direct-to-disc recording of theirs simply called Big Band Jazz (1977) is still one of their best, IMO, though "Our 25th Year" (1993) is very good also. They also made a recording with Mel Torme called Velvet and Brass that is excellent.

Just to follow up, I bought several CDs based on the recommendations given here. There's lots of good stuff, but if I had to pick one outstanding find it would be the Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. I bought "Swinging for the Fences" and "XXL". Both are great. Goodwin's style is uniquely his own but reminds me of Rob McConnell, Les Hooper, Tommy Newsom, and Louis Bellson in spots. It is of the more straight-ahead variety than avant-garde. If you haven't heard of these guys I urge you to check them out.

Blurock, thanks for the tip on the KJO. Which CD of theirs would you recommend? By the way, have you ever heard of the Chris McDonald Orchestra from Nashville, TN? I'm not sure if it is a regular band, or just a bunch of Nashville studio musicians that meet for an occassional recording. In any case, they have a couple of outstanding releases on Green Hill Music with real generic titles like Big Band Classics and Big Band Favorites. At first glance you might think they are Musak type CDs but once you start listening that will be quickly dismissed. All of the charts ARE old standards but Chris has a really fresh arranging style and the band is really tight. In addition, they are superbly recorded. I use the Big Band Favorites CD for auditioning equipment, it is so well done. It is the best sounding CD recording of a big band I have. (I think the best sounding record would probably be the direct to disc version of Harry James' "King James Version" on Sheffield. Just incredible.)