Recent instrumental big band and orchestral jazz album recommendations. With ~25 & ~50 year retrospectives, to illustrate the timelessness of this great music.
THIS SITE PROMOTES FUN JAZZ!
Excerpts from and links to album reviews of rather boisterous jazz albums. Artist and album info links at: Wikipedia; website; Discogs; Bandcamp; Allmusic, as available/worthwhile. Links to the full album on: basic/free YouTube; subscription Spotify; purchase download Bandcamp, as available. Check your favorite service. Please enjoy!
Friday 50s,today with 3 albums from 1974, so about a half-century ago... 😁
Pianist/composer/arranger/bandleader Bob James did an album of his own, and also orchestral arrangements for albums by saxophonists Hank Crawford and Grover Washington Jr. James' arrangements on these albums were with a small big band plus strings. In order by my favorite...
"This is one of Grover Washington, Jr.'s best-loved recordings and
considered a classic of r&bish jazz.... Bob James provided the colorful if somewhat commercial arrangements, ... and Washington (mostly on tenor and soprano) is heard in particularly creative form. Highly recommended." Scott Yanow/Allmusic. The title tune was 'a hit,' and the album went to #1 on the jazz and soul charts. Album Discogs ; Wikipedia. Grover's Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Grover Washington Jr., Mr. Magic, full album: YouTube (1 file) ; Spotify
Grover's 1973 album Soul Box, also with Bob James arrangements, earned a post below.
"Saxophonist Hank Crawford provides three original compositions along with two Stevie Wonder tunes (hence the album title). The string arrangements of Bob James,
who also plays electric keyboards on the date, provide a light touch of
sophistication and blend well with Crawford’s R&B-steeped alto
saxophone." Al Campbell/Allmusic. Album Discogs; Wikipedia. Hank's Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Hank Crawford, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, full album; YouTube ; Spotify
One was Bob's ~3rd album as a leader, with now >50 releases. This shortish album is the ~start of Bob's smooth jazz career as a leader, and he's still active. His albumJazz Handsreceived a 2024 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. OneAllmusic ; Discogs. Bob's website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Friday 50s,an album from 1974, so about a half-century ago... 😁
"It features cover versions of many songs that were popular in the years leading up to its production, including 'Jet', 'The Way We Were' and 'Livin' for the City.' Album Discogs. Wikipedia ; Allmusic.
This was Maynard’s ~32nd of >50 albums from 1955-2001. Maynard's: website; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs. A post below is about his other 1974 release, M.F. Horn 4 & 5: Live At Jimmy's.
Maynard Ferguson, Chameleon, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
The Mahavishnu Orchestra (MO) released 8 studio albums from 1971 - 89. This was the first album of the '2nd MO': John McLaughlin, guitars; Jean Luc Ponty, violin; Gayle Moran, keys & vocals; Ralphe Armstrong, bass; Narada Michael Walden, drums. Produced by '5th Beatle' George Martin. MO: Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Friday 50s, an album from about a half-century ago.... 😉or 1974.
Clarinetist/saxophonist/bandleader Woody Hermanearned Grammy Awards for Best Jazz Performance By A Big Band in 1974 and 1975 for his two 1974 releases - a nice year's work 😁. A post below celebrates his 1974 winner Thundering Herd, with more band info. Here's his 1975 winner, Herd At Montreaux.
"Herman plays soprano saxophone exclusively, leads a 15-piece band
through contemporary funk and fusion music of the day.... This prefigured the direction he would
take for most of the '70s." Michael Nastos/Allmusic. From a 1974 concert at the famous Montreaux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), the sonics could be improved, but the band cooks throughout. Album Discogs.
Woody Herman led big bands from the 1930s - 80s, with >120 albums. He won 3 Grammys with 15 more nominations. Woody's: Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Woody Herman, Herd At Montreaux, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
Here's a full show, maybe from November 1973, Jazzfest Berlin, maybe from sometime in 1974. Regardless, it's a nice document of the Grammy-winnerThundering Herdin action, with really nice sound. 😎
"Sweet electric 70s funk from Blue Mitchell – blowing here in some of the
hippest arrangements of his career! Blue's trumpet alone is always
pretty darn great, but for this album he's working with arranger Dave Matthews" (no, not that guy) Dusty Groove.
Trumpeter Jon Faddis and sax/flutist Joe Farrell play in the ~11-member band. Not considered an essential Mitchell album, taken on its own it is a fun ride. 😁 Album Allmusic ; Discogs ; Wikipedia.
Friday 50s 😁 an album from a half-century ago.... A more recent release, an album from 1964 (60 years ago!) and a full concert round-out this tribute.
Dec 12th was pianist/big band composer-arranger-bandleader Toshiko Akiyoshi's 95th birthday. Here's her last big band release, from 2007, with the SWR Big Band, Let Freedom Swing. Album info Discogs ; Wikipedia. She leads the band through charts of her classic big band compositions.
Toshiko Akiyoshi And The SWR Big Band, Let Freedom Swing, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
The band was based in Los Angeles from 1973-82, then New York thru 2003 (with several name variations), and released ~17 studio albums. This Down Beat magazine and Grammy info attests to the band's popularity (Wikipedia info/links):
The 1980 Grammy-nominated album Kogun was actually a 1974 release, and is the actual subject of today's post. You know, Friday 50s, an album from 50 years ago... 😁
"Koguneasily displays why Akiyoshi is such a treasure. It's a record
that is simultaneously driving, romantic, and experimental, seductive in
its implications and undeniable in its swing." Daniel Gioffre/AllMusic. Album Discogs ; Wikipedia. TABB Discogs ; Allmusic. Toshiko Allmusic ; Discogs. Lew Tabackin Allmusic ; Discogs.
Digital availability of TABB albums was sketchy until recently. Kogun is available on YouTube as a CD-rip in one large file. Several 1970s TALTBB albums are now on Spotify, so check your service.
Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lew Tabackin Big Band, Kogun, full album: YouTube rip ; Spotify
Friday 50s extended a decade takes us to 1964 and the album Toshiko Mariano And Her Big Band, Jazz In Japan Recorded In Tokyo. Released also as Toshiko And Modern Jazz, this featured a preview of big band excellence-to-come with 4 tunes, along with 3 piano trio tunes. Toshiko was married to jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano(Wikipedia ; Discogs) at the time, and their daughter is vocalist/flutist Monday Michiru(Wikipedia ; Discogs).
Toshiko released her first album in 1952. She plans a 2025 tour of Japan with husband Lew, as a duo! Lew is a young man at only 84. My jazz heroes. 💕
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Toshiko And Modern Jazz, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
Trumpeter Clark Terry guests with the Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lew Tabackin Big Band at the 1975 Monterey Jazz Festival main stage. The bearded tenor sax soloist is Toshiko's husband Lew Tabackin. The video is aged and ends a bit abruptly, but the sound is absolutely fine.
To top off this love-fest 😍, here is a full show of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra from 1993, which was released on DVD as Strive For Jive. Toshiko makes a few comments. Video is dated but the sound is fine. 😎
Friday 50s 😁 an album from a half-century ago.... And a bonus new release also.
"Evans explored ten of Hendrix's compositions with his unique 19-piece unit, an orchestra that included two French horns, the tuba of Howard Johnson, three guitars, two basses, two percussionists and such soloists as altoist David Sanborn, Billy Harper on tenor and guitarist John Abercrombie. Evans' arrangements uplift many of Hendrix's
more blues-oriented compositions and create a memorable set that is
rock-oriented but retains the improvisation and personality of jazz." Scott Yanow/AllMusic. Album Discogs ; Wikipedia.
"Pianist, composer, arranger and band-leader Gil Evans is widely recognized as one of the greatest orchestrators in jazz, playing an important role in the development of cool jazz, modal jazz, free jazz, and jazz fusion" Wikipedia. Evans released >40 albums from 1957-86, most with his orchestra, with 3 Grammy Awards and 13 more nominations.Discogs ; Allmusic.
The Gil Evans Orchestra, Plays The Music Of Jimi Hendrix, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
The Gil Evans Orchestra did a Monday night show at the club 'Sweet Basil' in NYC from 1982 thru Evans 1988 death and for awhile beyond as alumni. A 2014 alumni show has just been released, with what appears to be a nonet, includes 2 Hendrix tunes, and is a great tribute. AllAboutJazz review. Leader Pete Levin's website.
Gil Evans Remembered, Live At The Cutting Room NYC, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp
Friday 50s 😁 an album from a half-century ago.... With a bonus new and 2014 release.
"Manhattan Wildlife Refuge and its follow-up, The Tiger of San Pedro, are the only two recordings of trombonist Bill Watrous' impressive big band of the mid-'70s." Scott Yanow/Allmusic. Album Discogs.
Trombonist/composer/arranger Bill Watrous was active in New York in the 60s - 70s, with a stint for the Merv Griffin Show and CBS. He moved to Los Angeles in the 80s, and continued to play on occasional small and big band albums to go with steady studio-work. Sam Houston State University (Texas) renamed its 66-year running jazz festival the SHSU Bill Watrous Jazz Festival 14 years ago, with an early April date. Bill's Discogs ; Allmusic.
Bill Watrous, Manhattan Wildlife Refuge, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
Bill is featured on several Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra (GUJO) albums. Here's Bill's last big band recorded performance, from 2014.
Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, A Beautiful Friendship, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
The YouTube link above includes the 2024 album
Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra, Flying Colors, so here's the Spotify link also.
"Pianist Gary Urwin leads a swinging big band through some clever charts
and rich solos brought on by an A-list of guests including the late Carl
Saunders/tp, Wayne Bergeron/tp, Pete Christlieb/ts." George Harris/JazzWeekly. GUJO Discogs
Retrospective 1974, with an album from a half-century ago… (Friday 50s 😁)
Thom Jurek/AllAboutJazz: “It's difficult to note in the 21st century just how forward-thinking this avant-garde big band was, and how completely innovative saxophonist Sam Rivers' compositions are…. It is an underrated masterpiece and among the most rewarding and adventurous listening experiences in the history of jazz.” A piano-less big band (Wikipediafor correct musicians).
This was Rivers’ ~6th of >30 albums from 1965 to 2005. Sam’s big band work earned him 2 Grammy nominations.Discogs.
Two of Sam's Grammy-nominated albums with the Rivbea Orchestra are posted below, for 'Retrospective 1999 - albums from a quarter-century ago...' Inspiration and Culmination.
Retrospective 1974, with an album from a half-century ago…
Scott Yanow/Allmusic: “This double LP is easily Maynard Ferguson's best jazz-oriented recording for Columbia… In addition to Ferguson's powerful trumpet, other musicians making strong impressions include first trumpeter Lin Biviano, altoist Andy MacIntosh, Ferdinand Povel on tenor, baritonist Bruce Johnstone, and keyboardist Pete Jackson.” Maynard's Discogs.
This was Maynard’s ~31st of >50 albums from 1955-2001. The song ‘Teonova’ is dedicated to the famed producer of this album Ted Macero, written by Pete Jackson.
Maynard Ferguson, M.F. Horn 4 & 5: Live At Jimmy’s, full album: YouTube; Spotify
Here's a vid of the song 'MacArthur Park,' with nice sound. Maynard’s music is always upbeat, and the virtuosity of his often fresh-out-of-college players is on full display.
Grammy January (see the post above) includes some February.
Today is the day for the 2024 Grammy Awards. Nominees are reviewed in posts below that run the month of January. Let’s reminisce before the show, with an album for the 50 year retrospective. This 1974 release won the 1975 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band (best album).
Scott Yanow/Allmusic: “Of all the big-band leaders of the swing era, clarinetist Woody Herman went the most out of his way to interpret current material and keep his orchestra young, enthusiastic, and modern…. This is one of Herman's most successful efforts of the period.”
Soloists are tenor Frank Tiberi, flügelhorn Tony Klatka, and keyboards Andy Laverne. Songs by John Coltrane, Frank Zappa, Stanley Clarke and Carole King. Arrangements byAlan Broadbent, Bill Stapleton and Tony Klatka.
The video is a wonderful 1974 performance of Carole King’s ‘Corazon,’ from the album.
Woody won 3 Grammys (also 1974 & 1964), a Lifetime Achievement Grammy (1987), with 12 nominations. He released >110 albums from 1944-1987. Woody’s: Discogs
That’s alotta words for 37 minutes of music. Short, but sweet.
Woody Herman, Thundering Herd, full album: YouTube; Spotify
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 Lewisearned 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
Enjoy ~45 minutes of the band from 1974 in Norway, with fine sound (and a drum solo 😣). Here's a list of the band: Thad Jones, flugelhorn; Jon Faddis, Steve Furtado, Jim Bossy, Cecil Bridgewater, trumpets; Jimmy Knepper, Billy Campbell, Quentin "Butter" Jackson, Dave Taylor, trombones; Jerry Dodgion, Ed Xiques, Billy Harper (rips the solo on the last tune), Ron Bridgewater, Pepper Adams, reeds; Walter Norris, piano; George Mraz, bass; Mel Lewis, drums. 😎
