Jazz Big Band Recommendations?

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.)

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.

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.

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

Tom.