Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra - ‘Far East Suite’

Here’s an album for the quarter-century retrospective, and Grammy-nominated. This 1999 release was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance (album).

A tribute to a 1966 Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn classic. Alex Henderson/AllMusic: “While Ellington's orchestra stuck to traditional instruments, [drummer Anthony] Brown's outfit combined them with various Asian and Middle Eastern instruments, which range from Chinese bamboo flutes to the daf (a Persian/Iranian drum) and the ney (a Middle Eastern flute). The end result is … fresh-sounding instead of clichéd.”

This was the Orchestra's 2nd of 4 albums from 1998 to 2010. Orchestra’s Discogs. This was Anthony’s 1st of 4 Grammy nominations. Anthony's Wikipedia.

Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra, Far East Suite, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1999 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Frankfurt Radio Big Band with Mark Turner - YouTube song - ‘Bridgetown’

The Frankfurt Radio Big Band (FRBB), with saxophonist Mark Turner, posted the tune ‘Bridgetown’ recently. It is a Turner composition, arranged by Christine Jensen, conductor. This band is also known as the ‘hr Big Band.’

This is from an almost 2 hour concert available here on YouTube, from 9 March 2023. The show is being posted song-by-song, evidently. 

The hr Big Band / Frankfurt Radio Big Band is a project of Hessian Radio, Germany. They have released ~19 albums since 2007. YouTube channel (please subscribe); website ; Discogs  😎

Count Basie Orchestra - 'Basie Swings The Blues'

This is nominated for the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Large Ensemble Album. The awards are on 4 February.

When the horn section for your R&B album is The Count Basie Orchestra…

BluesRockReview: “Mr. Basie said, ‘our blues will make your blues go away.’ Throughout Basie Swings The Blues The Count Basie Orchestra flows the album together with both mood-altering rhythms and horn exclamation points.”

Shemekia Copeland, Keb Mo, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Bettye LeVette, Charlie Musselwhite, George Benson and more do a vocal tune and play.

Trumpeter Scotty Barnhart has led the band since 2013, their 6th leader since Basie died in ‘84, and they’ve now earned 3 Grammy nominations under his direction. The Count Basie Orchestra has been in ~continuous business since 1936! Orchestra’s website ; Discogs

The video is the band swingin’ the blues from 1941. To record these guys with modern techniques….

The Count Basie Orchestra, Basie Swings The Blues, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on Jazz Best Albums 2023, Grammy Jazz 2023 and Big Band 2023, at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

WDR Big Band - YouTube song - ‘El Caballo Valiente’

The WDR Big Band posted this tune recently.   

From the YouTube info: “Under the direction of Jochen Neuffer, the WDR BIG BAND will play ‘In The Mood’ by Joe Garland (arrangement: Glenn Miller, arrangement: Frank Engel) together with the WDR Funkhausorchester. Rob Bruynen plays solo on the trumpet. Recorded as part of the concert "WDR BIG BAND and WDR Funkhausorchester - Götz Alsmann - So schön wie heut" at the Kölner Philharmonie (November 2023).”

The WDR Big Band is a project of WDR Broadcasters in Cologne, Germany. They have released >75 albums since 1979. YouTube channel (please subscribe); website ; Discogs  😎

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis - ‘Potpourri’

Here’s an album for the ‘half-century retrospective,’ 1974, or 50 years ago. It is also Grammy discussion appropriate.

Scott Yanow/Allmusic: “With such notable sidemen as trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater, Ron Bridgewater and Billy Harper on tenors, trombonist Quentin Jackson, baritonist Pepper Adams, keyboardist Roland Hanna, bassist George Mraz and lead trumpeter Jon Faddis, the music certainly has its moments of interest… With material by Stevie Wonder, Marian McPartland and four worthwhile originals by Jones.”

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis earned 1976 Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band (~best album), and Thad one for Best Instrumental Arrangement of ‘Living for the City.’ Discogs.

The Thad Jones - Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra morphed into the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra in 1990, has been in existence since 1965, and has won a Grammy by each name with 16 more nominations.

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis, Potpourri, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1974 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

NDR Big Band - YouTube song - ‘Panzerballett’

The NDR Big Band posted this tune recently.

YouTube: “The NDR Bigband featuring ‘Panzerballett’ under the direction of Chief Conductor Geir Lysne.. ‘Typewriter II’ is a composition by guitarist Jan Zehrenfeld of the Munich band. The soloists are Percy Pursglove on trumpet, Gerd Boelicke on electric bass and Virgil Donati on drums.” 

The NDR Big Band is a project of NDR Broadcasters (radio and television) in Hamburg, Germany. They have released ~74 albums since 1985. YouTube ; Discogs.

Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orkest - ‘Olympians’

This is nominated for the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Large Ensemble Album. The awards are on 4 February.

Richard Salvucci/AllAboutJazz: “Here you have intriguing arrangements, superb musicians, and atmospherics galore… Olympians was recorded remotely during the pandemic. It is yet another lovely artifact of a very troubled time.” Dianne Reeves and Cecile McLorin Salvant each sing a song, and saxophonists Chris Potter and David Binney help.

Composer/arranger Vince Mendoza led the Metropole Orkest from 2005-13, and occasionally since. He has 7 Grammys and 1 Latin Grammy with 38 more nominations. This is his ~27th album since 1989. Vince’s: website ; Discogs ; Bandcamp.

The Orkest has 4 Grammys and 2 Oscars, and has released >150 albums since 1952. They are a project of Netherlands Public Broadcasting, and are based in Hilversum. The Orkest’s: website ; Discogs

Vince Mendoza & Metropole Orkest, Olympians, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on Jazz Best Albums 2023, Grammy Jazz 2023 and Big Band 2023, at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Big Band 2023 playlist additions

Added these albums to Big Band 2023, now ~85 albums, at Spotify/JazzTodayish. Check your streaming service, YouTube or Bandcamp. Abuncha good ones here.

The Flying Horse Big Band, A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band. Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz gave this 5/5 stars.

Mario Corvini & New Talents Jazz Orchestra Play Enrico Pieranunzi, Entropy. Xango Music.

Hakan Brostrom & New Places Orchestra, Cosmic Friends. JazzBluesNews.  😎

Mingus Big Band - ‘The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions’

This 2022 release is nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. The awards are on 4 February.

Album info from their website: “The flagship repertory ensemble Mingus Big Band (MBB) celebrated the 100th anniversary of Mingus’ birth with The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions. Highlights include 11 compositions and new arrangements, vocals and narrations by Charles’ son Eric Mingus, and 34 first-class musicians, rotating in MBB tradition.”

This is MBB’s ~11th album since 1993. They’ve won a Grammy with 6 more nominations. The MBB is a project of the Charles Mingus Institute. They play ~weekly at DROM in NYC. Discogs ; website.

Mingus Big Band, The Charles Mingus Centennial Sessions, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

The album is on Jazz Best Albums 2022, Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Frankfurt Radio Big Band with Mark Turner - YouTube song - ‘Nigeria II’

The Frankfurt Radio Big Band, with saxophonist Mark Turner, posted the tune ‘Nigeria II’ recently. It is a Turner composition, arranged by Christine Jensen, conductor. This band is also known as the ‘hr Big Band.’

This is from an almost 2 hour concert available here on YouTube, from 9 March 2023. The show is being posted song-by-song, evidently.

The hr Big Band / Frankfurt Radio Big Band is a project of Hessian Radio, Germany. They have released ~19 albums since 2007. YouTube channel (please subscribe); website ; Discogs 😎

Chick Corea & London Phil - ‘Corea: Spain & Piano Concerto No. 1’

Grammy January/February continues. This begins/ends a trio of Chick Corea posts (below): large ensembles, none with traditional big bands; 2 were tributes, not this one; 2 with Grammy nods. This 1999 release also fits in for the quarter-century retrospective.

Pianist/composer Chick Corea won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Arrangement for the version of his 1971 song ‘Spain,’ on this 1999 release with the London Philharmonic and his band Origin.

Chick Corea & London Philharmonic Orchestra, Corea: Spain & Piano Concerto No. 1, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1999 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Big Band 2023 playlist additions.

Added these albums to the Big Band 2023 playlist, with ~85 albums, at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. Check your streaming service, YouTube or Bandcamp. 😁

Miguel De Armas & Ottawa Latin Jazz Orchestra, From Me To You. LatinJazzNet.

Torsten MaaS X SWR Big Band, Music Written By Real Life: Part 1. SWRMedia... 

Drew Zaremba, Reunion. JazzTrail.  😎

 

WDR Big Band - YouTube song - ‘In The Mood’

The WDR Big Band posted this tune recently. 

YouTube: “Under the direction of Jochen Neuffer, the WDR BIG BAND will play ‘In The Mood’ by Joe Garland (arrangement: Glenn Miller, arrangement: Frank Engel) together with the WDR Funkhausorchester. Rob Bruynen plays solo on the trumpet. Recorded as part of the concert 'WDR BIG BAND and WDR Funkhausorchester - Götz Alsmann - So schön wie heut' at the Kölner Philharmonie (November 2023).”

Type ‘WDR’ into site search for ~3 more posts below with ~6 album recommendations about this great contemporary big band. Their YouTube channel is very active, please subscribe. 😎

WDR Big Band: YouTube ; website ; Discogs

ADDA Simfònica et al - 'The Chick Corea Symphony Tribute - Ritmo'

This is both a preview of this year and a review of last year for this Grammy nominee. The 2024 Grammy Awards are on February 4.

This Chick Corea tribute album is a 2024 Grammy Award nominee for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. It was a 2023 Latin Grammy nominee for Best Instrumental Album, and for Best Arrangement for Emilio Sollo on the song ‘Spain,’ shown below.

Saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera guests, among others. Josep Vincent (conductor) and ADDA Simfònica have >20 classical releases since 2019. The Simfònica is based in Alicante, Spain. Emilio Solia (arranger) Discogs. Josep Wikipedia ; website.

ADDA Simfònica, Josep Vincent & Emilio Solla, The Chick Corea Symphony Tribute - Ritmo, full album: YouTube ; Spotify 

This is on Grammy Jazz 2023 and Big Band 2023, at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Big Band 2023 playlist additions

Added these 5 albums to Big Band 2023, now ~85 albums, at Spotify/JazzTodayish. Check your streaming service or YouTube.

UNLV Wind Orchestra, Joe's Tango: Concerto for Trombone & Other Works. Allmusic. With pianist Chick Corea's last completed composition.

Corina Bartra Afro Peruvian New Trends Orchestra, Cosmic Synchronicities. LatinJazzNet. This one is a good one. 😁

Piero Umiliani, A Tempo Di Jazz. AllAboutJazz.

Jakob Buchanan, Song & Wind. With the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra. JazzViews.

Teitur & Aarhus Jazz Orchestra, Songs From a Social Distance. Bandcamp. 😎

Frankfurt Radio Big Band with Mark Turner - Complete Concert YouTube

Here’s a concert from 9 March 2023 by The Frankfurt Radio Big Band, with saxophonist Mark Turner and conductor Christine Jensen. See YouTube for a lot more info. This version re-masters the audio of the original livestream for improved sound.

Here is the first tune ‘Return From The Stars.’ It is a Turner composition, arranged by Jim McNeely.

The Frankfurt Radio Big Band, also known as the ‘hr Big Band,’ is a project of Hessian Radio, Germany. They have released ~19 albums since 2007. YouTube channel (please subscribe); website ; Discogs. Their YouTube channel has >50 full concerts that were live streamed from the last 6 years!

The whole show:

Aarhus Jazz Orchestra - YouTube song - ‘Glasgow Kiss'

The Aarhus Jazz Orchestra posted the tune ‘Glasgow Kiss’ on 16 Jan.  

This is translated from the YouTube video info:

“Every month, the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra presents a new digital concert video, consisting of a number from one of the orchestra's previous concerts or sessions from the rehearsal room. This time we present an excerpt from Caledonian Crossroads together with the Randers Chamber Orchestra. Remember to subscribe to the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra's YouTube channel, so you can sit in the front row when the orchestra presents new, digital jazz experiences every month.” From Aarhus, Denmark.

Link to their: YouTube site ; website ; Discogs

Don Sebesky - ‘Joyful Noise’ & ‘I Remeber Bill’ & ‘Giant Box’

The emphasis here is contemporary large ensemble jazz. However, to illustrate the timelessness of this wonderful musical form, an occasional series of albums from a quarter-century and a half-century ago will be recommended. Here’s a gem from 1999, and 2 earlier, all with Grammy wins or nominations.

Don Sebesky arranged for hundreds of artists, including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, John Pizzarelli, Michael Buble, Liza Minnelli, Seal, and Prince. 3 Grammy Awards, plus 31 more nominations, 1 Tony Award and 2 nominations, his career began as a trombonist in 1956. He passed away in 2023.

He only released ~16 albums under his own name. A nice one is 1999s Joyful Noise: A Tribute To Duke Ellington. Michael Nastos/Allmusic is succinct: "Of all the tributes to Ellington, this is the best, a magnum opus to the maestro from a man and his band who are well aware of his grandeur, plus how to play all the right notes." This album won him 2 of his 3 Grammy Awards in 1999: Best Instrumental Composition for ‘Joyful Noise Suite,’ and Best Instrumental Arrangement for ‘Chelsea Bridge.’ Don’s: website ; Discogs.

Don Sebesky, Joyful Noise: A Tribute To Duke Ellington, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

His 3rd Grammy was also for a big band tribute album, 1998s I Remember Bill: A Tribute To Bill Evans. He won Best Instrumental Arrangement for ‘Waltz for Debby.’ The YouTube link is the album on one file, with a ~10 minute Bill Evans interview at the end, and sounds fine.

Don Sebesky, I Remember Bill: A Tribute To Bill Evans, full album: YouTube

Here’s his album from a half-century - plus one - ago, Giant Box, from 1973. It earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Performance By A Big Band in 1975.

Richard S. Ginell/Allmusic: “The lineup reads almost like a gathering of the gods: Freddie Hubbard, Randy Brecker/tr; Hubert Laws/flu; Paul Desmond, Joe Farrell, Grover Washington, Jr./sax; Milt Jackson/vb; George Benson/gtr; Bob James/kb; Ron Carter/bs; Jack DeJohnette, Billy Cobham, Airto Moreira/dr & pc; Jackie Cain, Roy Kral/voc. Thankfully the music lives up to the billing… Giant Box still ranks as a sensational coup.”

Don Sebesky, Giant Box, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

Joyful Noise is on Jazz Best Albums 1999 and Giant Box is on Jazz Best Albums 1973 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

WDR Big Band - YouTube song - Gerry Mulligan’s ‘Swing House’

The WDR Big Band posted this tune yesterday from the concert "Mr Mulligan's Concert Jazz" at the Kölner Philharmonie (October 2023):

Posts below about WDR Big Band releases: 4 albums of Steve Gadd et al & Bob Mintzer collaborations; a collaboration with arranger Chuck Owens; a collaboration with bassist Ron Carter. 😎

Hilario Duran & his Latin Jazz Big Band - ‘Cry Me A River’

The overview of instrumental big-bandy albums nominated for 2024 Grammy Awards continues. The awards are on 4 February.

Pierre Giroux/AllAboutJazz: ‘Hilario Duran is a renowned Cuban-Canadian jazz pianist and composer known for contributing to Latin jazz. With the release of Cry Me A River, his Latin Jazz Big Band takes us on an extraordinary musical journey, effortlessly blending myriad genres into his singular style.”

Hilario earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement for the song ‘I Remember Mingus,’ which features saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera. This is Hilario’s ~14th release since 1996. Hilario’s website ; Discogs

The YouTube link has the entire album played live-in-studio. The Grammy-nominated tune is shown below.

Hilario Duran & his Latin Jazz Big Band, Cry Me A River, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on Jazz Best Albums 2023, Grammy Jazz 2023 and Big Band 2023, at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎 

Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band - ‘Raymond Scott Reimagined’

Here's one for the preview of instrumental big-bandy albums nominated for 2024 Grammy Awards. The awards are on 4 February.

Walter Atkins/AllAboutJazz: “Raymond Scott Reimagined is an engaging collaborative project with Quartet San Francisco, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and the Grammy winning acapella group Take 6 on two tracks. The album is a thoughtful and stylish interpretation of Raymond Scott's legacy. It is also interspersed with audio tidbits featuring Scott's singular musical approaches.” The song ‘Cutey and the Dragon’ was nominated for Best Instrumental Composition.

Scott was a composer/arranger/musician active from 1931-’85. He sold his music catalog to Warner Bros in 1943, which then became the most famous tunes in cartoons. He did release ~8 albums from 1947-’85, and was an electronica pioneer in the ‘50s-’60s. This is the Phat Band’s ~11th release since 1999, and their 4th nomination with 1 Grammy win. The video is the nominated tune performed live in the studio. Scott’s Discogs. Phat’s website & Discogs.

Quartet San Francisco & Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Raymond Scott Reimagined, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Grammy Jazz 2023 and Big Band 2023 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎 

John Beasley - & SWR Big Band ‘Bird Lives’ & ‘MONK’estra Plays John Beasley’

A review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners follows below. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

Here’s a nominee for the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.

SWR is a public radio broadcaster in Stuttgart, Germany, and sponsors The SWR Big Band, which has released ~55 albums since 1997, many in collaboration with jazz giants.Their 2022 album Bird Lives, with pianist John Beasley as arranger, earned an album nod, plus 2 others.

Beasley won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement for the album tune ‘Scrapple From The Apple.’ The tune ‘Cherokee/Koko’ was nominated for Best Jazz Performance. This was SWR’s 3rd nomination, Beasley’s 12th and 2nd win. SWR Discogs. Beasley’s website ; Discogs.

Magnus Lindgren, John Beasley & SWR Big Band, Bird Lives, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

John Beasley's previous large ensemble project, MONK'estra Plays John Beasley, was nominated for the same award in 2021. The tune ‘Dona Lee’ won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement.

John Beasley, MONK'estra Plays John Beasley, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

Bird Lives is on Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2021 and Monkestra is on Big Band 2020 at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Posts below for other Best Album nominees: Ron Carter & the Jazzaar Festival Big Band Remembering Bob Freedman; Remy LeBouf Architecture Of Storms; the WDR Big Band & Steve Gadd et al Center Stage; Grammy-winner Steven Feifke Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra.  

 ~30 Large Jazz Ensemble album recommendations so far...😎

Ron Carter - ‘Remembering Bob Freedman’ & ‘My Personal Songbook’ & ‘Ron Carter’s Great Big Band'

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

Ron Carter and the Jazzaar Festival Big Band released Remembering Bob Freedman, and earned a nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. The Jazzaar Festival is a spring Swiss jazz-fest that has run since ~1997, with an emphasis on jazz education and youth.

From the festival website: "The album features the bass legend Ron Carter with acclaimed jazz instrumentalists trumpeter Ryan Quigley, saxophonist Antonio Hart, trombonist Jason Jackson, pianist Donald Vega, and drummer Carl Allen, as seasoned role models for twelve selected aspiring young jazz musicians from the Swiss music scene that completed the big band… The production was a long-awaited collaboration between Jazzaar Festival producer, Bob Freedman, and Ron Carter, which took a sudden tragic turn when Bob sadly passed away in the middle of planning." Hence, the album title. Ron’s: website ; Discogs. Freedman’s Discogs.

Ron Carter & the Jazzaar Festival Big Band, Remembering Bob Freedman, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

Ron Carter has 2 previous big band albums. Both are worth a listen, as are most Ron Carter projects.

From the album’s press-release: “Ron Carter chose ten pieces and … Richard DeRosa, principal conductor of the WDR Big Band, contributed the arrangements. The result is a sound, which pays attention to the lush big band tone as well as to the fine and sophisticated solo parts and allows both to fully bloom.” 2013 recordings released in 2016.

Ron Carter & WDR Big Band, My Personal Songbook, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

Here’s links to 2 other posts for 5 more WDR Big Band albums: Center Stage, Jackets XL, Soundscapes, Drop Shot and Renderings.

Ken Dryden/Allmusic: “Ron Carter is … the most recorded bassist in jazz [>2000 session credits]. In his 70s at the time of these sessions, he is very much still at the top of his game as he leads the first big-band date of his own, with potent arrangements by conductor Bob Freedman with some of New York's busiest musicians, including Jerry Dodgion, Steve Wilson, Wayne Escoffery, and Scott Robinson in the woodwind section, brass players Steve Davis, Douglas Purviance, and Greg Gisbert, plus pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Lewis Nash… With this delightful big-band date, the veteran bassist continues to surprise and delight listeners.” From 2011.

Ron Carter, Ron Carter’s Great Big Band, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Jazzaar is on Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Below are posts for other best album nominees: Remy LeBouf Architecture Of Storms; WDR Big Band & Steve Gadd et al Center Stage; Grammy-winner Steven Feifke Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra.  😎

Pacho Flores & Orquesta Sinfonica De Mineria - 'Estirpe'

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

This album earned several classical music nominations at the 2023 Latin Grammys, but is a nice jazz + classical fusion, known as ‘3rd stream.’

The tune ‘Concerto Venezolano,’ written by saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera won for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Paquito, who also guests, wrote the tune for trumpeter Pacho Flores.

The song ‘Crónicas Latinoamericanas’ was nominated for Best Arrangement, Daniel Freiberg, arranger. This was a Best Classical Music Album nominee also.

James Manheim/Allmusic: “The Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería … renders the Latin rhythms, and conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto has obviously drilled them well and created a strong sense of ensemble with the brilliant trumpeter Flores.”

This is Prieto’s ~17th release since 1999, Flores’ ~7th since 2009, and the Orquesta's ~27th since 1986. Prieto’s Discogs. The Orquestra’s Discogs.

Pacho Flores & Orquesta Sinfonica De Mineria, Estirpe, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

The album is on Jazz Best Albums 2022, Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Snarky Puppy - 'Empire Central'

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

The band Snarky Puppy won their 5th Grammy Award in 2023, and 5 more nominations, for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Empire Central. This Grammy category is often smooth jazz and jazz fusion. 

What is a Snarky Puppy? From Wikipedia: "The band was formed as a 10-piece group by bassist Michael League at the University of North Texas in 2004...The group has grown into an international super-band made up of '...a wide-ranging assemblage of musicians known affectionately as 'The Fam.' In more than 17 years since its founding, about 40 players have performed... in 'The Fam,' and 6 of the 10 original members are regulars." They rotate through 19 players on this album, and this is their ~39th release since 2005! Discogs.

The album was recorded, over several days, live in a club. For the video, at least, the feed is mixed and fed out to the crowd, who listen through wired headphones, somehow (!). A link to a YouTube playlist of 7 of the album tunes played live is included in addition to the usual album playlist.

Snarky Puppy, Empire Central, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; YouTube video playlist

This is on the Grammy Jazz 2022, Jazz Best Albums 2022, and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Orquesta Failde - 'Danzoneando (En Vivo Desde Matanzas)'

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

This album was nominated for a 2023 Latin Grammy for Best Traditional Tropical Album.

El Chino Solar Latin Club: This live album “is a kind of anthology with some of the most beautiful danzones [Cuban song & dance music] created during the 20th century and where the flute … takes us by the hand through the music.” Orchestra leader/founder flutist Ehiel Falde displays his virtuosity. This is a ‘little big band,’ with 3 percussionists, violin and 4 horns in the mix. The YT link has videos of the entire album played in-studio. The 3rd tune is below. The official album is a concert recorded live in Matanzas, Cuba.

Orquesta Failde, Danzoneando (En Vivo Desde Matanzas), full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Grammy Jazz 2023 and Big Band 2023 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Joe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance Big Band - ‘The Pan American Nutcracker Suite'

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

The song 'Waltz of the Flowers' from this album was nominated for a 2023 Latin Grammy for Best Arrangement, Joe McCarthy & Vince Norman, arrangers. One last dash of holiday cheer. 😊

Richard J Salvucci/AllAboutJazz: “Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn did a jazz take on ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ in 1960… Drummer Joe McCarthy and arranger Vince Norman 2022 return to the original source, performed by the New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band… This Christmas album is distinctive, different, and delightful.” A 2022 release. ~39 minutes, like an old-school LP. Joe’s Discogs.

Joe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, The Pan American Nutcracker Suite, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

The album is on the Jazz Best Albums 2022, Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Camilo Valencia & Richard Bravo - 'Made In Miami'

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

This won the 2023 Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album, and Rafael Valencia won Best Arrangement for the song ‘Songo Bop!’

Dan Bilawsky/AllAboutJazz: “Blending elements sourced from numerous musical styles and languages including salsa, pop, samba, jazz and R&B, among others, multi-instrumentalist Camilo Valencia and drummer Richard Bravo create unique and flavorful dishes served hot by a rotating cast… Miami has so much music to share and influence to bear, and Camilo Valencia and Richard Bravo bring that truth to light for all to hear.” ~27 musicians rotate to provide most tunes with a big band on this 2022 release. This is a hot album!

Both their Discogs show this as their only release, but Camilo has arranged and played since 1979, and Richard since 1994. Camilo has a Latin Grammy and another nomination, while Richard has won 3 Latin Grammys with 5 more nominations. Camilo’s Discogs, Richard’s Discogs.

Camilo Valencia & Richard Bravo, Made In Miami, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

The album is on Jazz Best Albums 2022, Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2022 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Remy Le Bouf - ‘Assembly Of Shadows’ & ‘Architecture Of Storms’

The review of last year’s instrumental big-bandy Grammy nominees and winners continues. The 2024 Grammy Awards are February 4.

This was a 3rd nominee for last year’s (2023) Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. Here’s links to posts below for the WDR Big Band with Steve Gadd et al Center Stage, and Grammy-winner Steven Feifke’s Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra.

From Matt Collar/AllMusic: "The 2nd album from alto saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf's big band … 2021's Architecture of Storms, is… an album of dazzling and nuanced modern creative jazz that conjures cinematic landscapes, both real and imagined." 

This is Remy's 4th album, and 2 big band releases have earned him 4 Grammy nominations. The album tune ‘Minnesota, WI’ earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement (video above.) Remy’s: Wikipedia ; Bandcamp ; Discogs.

Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows, Architecture of Storms, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

His 2019 big band album, Assembly of Shadows, earned Grammy nominations for the tune ‘Strata’ for Best Instrumental Composition, and the tune ‘Honeymooners’ for Best Instrumental Arrangement.

Remy Le Boeuf, Assembly of Shadows, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

…Storms is on Grammy Jazz 2022 and Big Band 2021 and …Shadows is on Big Band 2019 at Spotify/JazzTodayish.  😎 

WDR Big Band &: Steve Gadd et al - ‘Center Stage’; Yellowjackets - ‘Jackets XL’; Bob Mintzer - ‘Soundscapes’; Ricky Peterson/Bob Mintzer - ‘Drop Shot"

WDR is a public broadcasting network based in Cologne, Germany. Besides television and radio stations, they sponsor several musical groups, one of which is the well-respected WDR Big Band. With their broadcasting connection, the band continually produces impeccably recorded performances, many of which are available on YouTube. The unit is absolutely prolific, and have released over 25 albums since 2013, often in collaboration with jazz stars. Website ; Discogs

Their 2023 album with arranger Chuck Owen, Renderings, was recommended earlier.

They earned Grammy Award nominations for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 2022 and 2023. The band partnered with drummer Steve Gadd, bari sax player Ronnie Cuber (RIP), and bassist Eddie Gomez on the album Center Stage, for their 2023 nod. The video above is an album tune performed in-studio.

Steve Gadd, Eddie Gomez, Ronnie Cuber & WDR Big Band, Center Stage, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

The big band’s collaborators for their 2022 nod were the all-time great band Yellowjackets, for Jackets XL. The album was inevitable, as Yellowjackets’ tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer has served as the big band's musical director, on and off, since 2014. The video is an in studio performance of an album tune.

Yellowjackets & WDR Big Band, Jackets XL, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Bob Mintzer did at least 1 other album with WDRBB, Soundscapes, in 2021. Jack Bower/AllAboutJazz: “A luminous showcase for his singular talents as composer, arranger and soloist… he will find a way to swing.” The video is the title track.

Bob Mintzer & WDR Big Band, Soundscapes, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp 

Pianist/vocalist Ricky Peterson joined Bob and the band for 2018s Drop Shot. Peterson recorded multiple albums with Prince and played with saxophonist David Sanborn for ~20 years. This was his 5th as leader.

Ricky Peterson with Bob Mintzer & WDR Big Band, Drop Shot, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

On playlists at Spotify/JazzTodayish: Center Stage - Grammy Jazz 2022, Jazz Best Albums 2022, Big Band 2022; Jackets XL & Soundscapes - Big Band 2021; Drop Shot - Big Band 2018.  😎