Jazz Big Band Recommendations?

George: If you liked Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, then be sure to also check out the Cherry Poppin' Daddys and Brian Setzer, in all his various incarnations. You may also dig the Squirrel Nut Zippers, though I would call them small band swing.

Also in the category of "it's not big band, but it's more than 8 musicians with some jazz influences", I continue to be blown away by the Kansas City All-Stars on the soundtrack to the movie "Kansas City" - which I have not seen, though I really should. I saw the KC All-Stars headline a Verve jazz fest, with Charlie Hayden and Joe Henderson Trio opening up, and they absolutely blew me away.

Great thread!

Tom.

I heard the Afro-Cuban All Stars on the radio recently (NPR, I think), and I agree. They are well worth a listen!

Tom.

Right on, Redwoodgarden! Preservation Hall is a must visit for any trip to New Orleans. I have several of their CDs, which although somewhat noisy, I find to be very well recorded from an imaging/soundstage perspective.