Mercer Hassy Orchestra - 'Duke’s Place'

"Hassy and company have done well by the Duke, aligning and updating his music for a new generation of listeners who may be more attuned to change and eager to reassess the wizardry of Ellington." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.

This 2024 release is Japanese pianist/bandleader/composer/arranger Mercer Hassy's ~4th big band or orchestral album since ~2019. The big band is based in Sapporo. Website ; Website2

Mercer Hassy Orchestra, Duke’s Place, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra - 'Innuendo' & 'Conspiracy'

"Saxophonist Tobias Hoffmann conducts a large jazz orchestra through a series of original charts. The five reeds, 9 brass and four rhythm teams are tighter than a hipsters skinny jeans." George Harris/JazzWeekly. 

This 2024 release follows the orchestra's 2022 debut album Conspiracy, and Tobias led a 2019 nonet release Retrospective. Tobias' website ; Discogs.

Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra, Innuendo, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Might as well give ya the links for the 2022 album also. "Hoffman has his own singular voice, one that is well-suited to the contemporary scene, as it uses complex and sophisticated harmonies and rhythms in the service of music that is both resourceful and pleasing." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Discogs.

Tobias Hoffmann Jazz Orchestra, Conspiracy, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2022 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The orchestra plays the title tune from the new album. A cool one.

And the album closer. A hotter one. 😎

Michael Dease - 'Found In Space'

Gregg Hill is a 78 year old Central Michigan pianist/composer/arranger who is amidst a late life artistic surge that has produced 15 albums of his music since 2017, in various orchestrations. Here he arranges an album led by trombonist Michael Dease with 10 more players. Gregg's website ; Discogs.

"The highly acclaimed Dease has put an absolute stamp of approval on Hill's work.... Sharel Cassity is a highlight throughout the album on both alto saxophone and flute.... The inexhaustible energy of Hill is not to be denied." Paul Rauch/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.

Michael Dease, also on baritone sax, is joined on woodwinds by Sharel Cassity, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Jason Hainsworth and Virginia MacDonald, with trumpeter Matt White, trombonist Nanami Haruta, pianist Bill Cunliffe, bassist Katie Thiroux, drummer Colleen Clark and percussionist Gwendolyn Dease.

This is Michael's ~14th album since 2007. He did more Gregg Hill music with a smaller ensemble on his 2023 album The Other Shoe. He is featured guest on OSU Jazz Orchestra - Solid Gold, in a post below. Michael's website ; Discogs ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic.

Michael Dease, Found In Space, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Here's an in-studio performance of the album tune 'The Stray Moonduck.'  😎

Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra - 'OR 手術劇院'

"The album is a collection of engaging tone poems with pungent orchestral writing for brass, especially trombones. The virtuosity of the writing demands and receives similar virtuosity from the players. This is an album from an eloquent new voice that has much to say." Jack Kenny/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.

"Born and raised in Taiwan, Tracy Yang has established herself as a composer, musician, and cross-discipline artist in NYC since 2013. Recognized with the Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize." This is her 2nd album, first with the orchestra. Website ; Discogs.

Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra, OR 手術劇院, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The orchestra plays a nice, introspective album tune.  😎

Del Sasso Big Band - 'Chick Corea's "Three Quartets" Revisited' & 'Le Carnajazz Des Animaux'

Here's 2 really nice 2024 albums by a French big band.

"Under the expert guidance of the arranger, Christophe Dal Sasso, his big band (Voted France’s best jazz orchestra in 2020) revisits the legendary album, featuring in the footsteps of the late Michael Brecker, three exceptional saxophonists: David El-Malek, Stéphane Guillaume and Rick Margitza. A lively and spectacular tribute to the pianist who passed away in 2021."

Del Sasso Big Band, Chick Corea's "Three Quartets" Revisited, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Chris and his big band also released "Le Carnaval des Animaux, a comic musical suite composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1886.... The work consists of 14 short movements, each representing a different animal, and Saint-Saëns uses music to illustrate the characteristics of each animal.... So, in this brilliant latest version by maestro arranger Dal Sasso and his acolytes, it’s humor and lightness ... that characterize this work." Jacques Pauper/ColeursJazz.

Del Sasso Big Band, Le Carnajazz des Animaux, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is the ~6th album from the band since 2004, but Spotify/Dal Sasso Big Band is the only place I found them all listed together. Neither Chris's website nor Discogs are updated, so Facebook.

Both are on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The band performs a tune from Chick Corea...  😎

Norman David And The Eleventet - 'Intention'

"The band ... has a performing home ... in Philadelphia, and has released about half a dozen superb albums, all featuring David's compositions and bearing his unique soprano saxophone soloing and sophisticated style of composing and arranging which allows the musicians to play charts and improvise at very high levels, each with his own imprint." Victor Schermer/AllAboutJazz. 

The Eleventet is based in and plays regularly around Philadelphia, USA. This is their 6th album since ~ 2015. website.

Norman David And The Eleventet, Intention, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Another Philadelphia big band album, the Gardyn Jazz Orchestra - Vinyl Brews, was recommended just a few posts below.

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Hendrik Meurkens &: CCCN Jazz Orchestra - 'Big Band Brasil'; WDR Big Band - 'Samba Jazz Odyssey'

Big band jazz and... harmonica? It works! Hendrik Meurkens leads 2 bands through 2 joyful albums. His 2024 album is with Costa Rica's CCCN Jazz Orchestra, led by drummer Carlomagno Araya. Album Discogs.

Hendrik has >30 releases, and this appears to be the 1st for the orchestra. His website ; Discogs ; Allmusic. CCCNJO website. Araya's Discogs. Hendrik's recent ~quintet release is The Jazz Meurkengers -- ya gotta love it. 😁

Hendrik Meurkens & CCCN Jazz Orchestra, Big Band Brasil, full album: YouTube (one big file) ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Here's his 2022 album. "Combine Meurkens' superb playing and writing with Mossman and Franzetti's dazzling charts, flawlessly performed by the marvelous WDR Big Band, and you have the complete package. To put it another way, Latin-flavored big-band jazz simply doesn't get much better than this." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.

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. Type "WDR" into the search box for alotta WDR Big Band album recommendations.

Hendrik Meurkens & The WDR Big Band, Samba Jazz Odyssey, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2022 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Hendrik leads the WDR Big Band in a tune from their album. 😎

Bill Frisell - 'Orchestras' & Henry Mancini - 'The 100th Sessions...'

The 2025 Grammy Awards are Sunday, 2 February. Besides the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, jazzy orchestrations were nominated in 2 other categories.

Jazz guitarist Bill Frisell received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Orchestras, a live album with Alexander Hanson, the Brussels Philharmonic, Rudy Royston & Thomas Morgan. Bill has a Grammy, and this is his 8th nomination. Bill had a good year, as he also earned a nomination for the album Owl Song, which he co-led with trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and drummer Herlin Riley, for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

Bill Frisell, Orchestras, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

A jazzy tribute to composer Henry Mancini at the Hollywood Bowl had a tune nominated for Best Arrangement Of An Instrumental. Michael League arranged his tune "Baby Elephant Walk - Encore", for his band Snarky Puppy (SP), a rather large jazz fusion ensemble. League has 5 Grammys with SP and this is his 8th nomination.

Henry Mancini, The 100th Sessions: Henry Has Company, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

These are on Big Band 2024 at Spotify/JazzTodayish.  😎

Orrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band - ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoe’

This was nominated for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album at the upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards.

This is a vocal-based big band album. "As he has always done in the past Orrin Evans, the pianist and bandleader from Philadelphia, is inspired by tradition to renew and enrich, with passion and freshness. This time the orchestrations are functional to the interpretations of four prodigious singers who are divided into seven out of nine songs: Lisa Fischer, Bilal, Joanna Pascale and Paul Jost ." Angelo Leonardi/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.

This is Evans' ~5th  Captain Black Big Band (CBBB) album since ~2011, and 3 earned Grammy nominations! Orrin has ~13 more total albums, since 2000. Evans' website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs. CBBB Discogs.

Orrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band, Walk A Mile In My Shoe, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2024 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Here's a mellow album tune with singer Paul Jost. 😎

Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra - 'Things Will Pass' & 'Ee-Ya-Gi (Stories)'

"'A master musician who weaves dreams into vivid sonic landscapes, and turns sorrow and loss into enduring and endearing art.' That those landscapes traverse the musical terrain from the U.S. to Korea is icing on an already appetizing cake." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.

South Korean composer/arranger/bandleader Hyeseon Hong has arranged and fronted big bands in NYC for ~10 years now, and this 2024 release is her 2nd album. Discogs. No website, so Facebook.

Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra, Things Will Pass, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Her 2017 debut Ee-Ya-Gi (Stories) is a joy also. Trumpeter Ingrid Jenson guests, and saxophonist Rich Perry is featured on both albums. Album Discogs. 😎

Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra, Ee-Ya-Gi (Stories), full album: YouTube

Big Band 2024 still - 10 Albums

These are some 2024 big band/orchestral jazz releases that I won't get a chance to do a complete post on. Some are well-known jazz names. Generally less boisterous than my favorites, but might be right-up-your-alley, as they say. All are definitely worth a listen. 🎷

The goal is to at least mention all ~108 albums (hours) on Big Band 2024 at Spotify/JazzTodayish. 

The Danish Radio Big Band, XL-LX, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp (5 suites by 5 jazz composers, 1.75 hours, 5 vinyl records)

Herb Alpert, 50, full album: YouTube ; Spotify (Smooth jazzin' his formula for a 50th album, his 2013 and 2016 albums earned a Grammy & a nomination, and he owns one of Los Angeles' top jazz clubs. 😁)

Geoffrey Keezer, Open During Construction, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Mosaic, Where We Are Now, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

 Danilo Perez & Bohuslan Big Band, Lumen, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

Geof Bradfield, Colossal Abundance, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

 John Hollenbeck & NDR Big Band, Colouring Hockets, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Chris Muller Big Band, Turning Thoughts, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp
 

Sointi Jazz Orchestra, J​ä​ä​hyväiset, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Terry Waldo & The Gotham City Band, Treasury, Vol. 1, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp 😎

Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra – 'It’s About Time'

"It’s About Time is a ... a collection of eight originals and two covers, performed by a collection of some of Nashville’s best players.... The album is a sonic delight, vibrant and full, giving proper aural space to soloists and fully textured beds of sound to the ensemble." Bert Saraco/Tollbooth.

Trombonist/bandleader Chris McDonald is Nashville (USA) based since the 1980s, and his arrangements for Carrie Underwood, Willie Nelson, Sara Evans and more have been heard world-wide by billions. (Thierry De Clemensat/ParisMove). Chris has done arrangements for or played on >40 Grammy winner/nominated albums. He does an occasional big band project, and this 2024 release is his ~9th album since 1996. For boomer readers, the 1st tune is a cover of Yes' 'Roundabout.' Chris' website ; Discogs ; Allmusic.

Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra, It’s About Time, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Gardyn Jazz Orchestra - 'Vinyl Brews' & their debut album

"Alto saxophonist Jon C. Gardner not only leads the piquant and powerful Philadelphia-based Gardyn Jazz Orchestra (GJO), he also wrote and arranged every song on Vinyl Brews, an in-concert performance recorded in December 2023 at Chris' Jazz Café in the City of Brotherly Love.... When such performances are as dynamic and inspiring as this one, they should be happily cherished and preserved forever in one's storehouse of pleasant memories." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz.

Gardyn Jazz Orchestra, Vinyl Brews, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The album has 6 original tunes, plus 3 alternate takes. The band plays a tune from the live concert recording session:

This is GJOs 2nd live release. You might as well try their eponymous 2022 album. Double-down with some fine big band jazz from Philadelphia, USA. GJO no website, so Facebook.

Gardyn Jazz Orchestra, Gardyn Jazz Orchestra, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on Big Band 2022 at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Enjoy a 2nd tune from the live concert recording session. 😎

Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra - 'Crescent City Jewels'

"A high-energy collection that showcases the vitality of big-band jazz with an infectious New Orleans flavour." Pierre Giroux/AllAboutJazz.

This 2024 release is the Uptown Jazz Orchestra's 4th album since 2016, and all are absolute joys. Discogs.  Trombonist/bandleader Delfeayo Marsalis has 7 additional releases since 1992. Website ; Wikipedia ; Discogs.

Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Crescent City Jewels, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Anders Malta - 'Introducing Anders Malta Almost Big Band'

"It’s striking how agile this 13-piece ensemble is, delivering the tight, nimble sound more typical of a small group." Tim Larsen/JazzViews.

This 2024 release is the band's debut album, and they've performed regularly since 2020 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Anders is a trumpet/trombone player with credits on Discogs.

Anders Malta, Introducing Anders Malta Almost Big Band, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Temple University Studio Orchestra - 'Labyrinth'

"One of Los Angeles’ greatest treasures, pianist Billy Childs, takes a trip to Philadelphia where his big band compositional and arranging skills are put to good use. The Temple University Studio Orchestra (TUSO), conducted by Jose Luis Deominguez, is supplemented by ringers Terell Stafford/tp, and Dick Oatts/as,  on this three song collection." George Harris/JazzWeekly. Album Discogs ; website.

A post below celebrates Billy Childs' 2024 Grammy Award winner album The Winds Of Change. The post has a video of Billy with the WDR Big Band, along with more Billy info.

This is the TUSOs 2nd album, but Temple U. has many jazz ensemble iterations. "BCM&D Records is the official record label of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. Founded in 2009 to highlight recordings by Boyer students and faculty, the label has since garnered five Grammy nominations." TUSO Discogs. BCM&D website. The Temple University Jazz Band has 3 albums: Spotify ; Discogs.

Temple University Studio Orchestra, Labyrinth, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Ray Brown's Great Big Band - 'I Could Write A Book'

"Celebrating twenty-seven years of performing together, Ray Brown’s Great Big Band has reassembled to record one last time. You will enjoy over 100 minutes of authentic big band jazz." Dee Dee McNeil/MakingAScene. 21 songs with 5 Christmas tunes. A 2024 release. Album Discogs.

Active since the 1960s, Bay Area trumpeter/vibraphonist/arranger/bandleader Ray Brown has played and arranged for Stan Kenton and others. This is his big band's 3rd release. BB Discogs. Ray's Wikipedia.

Ray Brown's Great Big Band, I Could Write A Book, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Big Band 2024 still - 10 Albums

These are some 2024 big band/orchestral jazz releases that I won't get a chance to do a complete post on. Some are well-known jazz names. Generally less boisterous than my favorites, but might be right-up-your-alley, as they say. All are definitely worth a listen. 🎷

The goal is to at least mention all ~112 albums (hours) on Big Band 2024 at Spotify/JazzTodayish. 

Louis Cole & Metropole Orkest, Nothing, full album: YouTube (whole album concert video + album) ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Daniel Casimir & London Contemporary Orchestra, Balance, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Johan Hoogewijs & Toots Thielemans, Tout de Suite, full album: YouTube ; Spotify. Compilation of tunes recorded from 1999 - 2010.

Jazzrausch Bigband, Bangers Only!, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

John Daversa Big Band, Improvisatory Observatory: Live And Raw At The Baked Potato, Exhibit 1, full album: YouTube ; Spotify Two albums directed by John are recommended in a post below.

John Daversa Big Band, Improvisatory Observatory: Live And Raw At The Baked Potato, Exhibit 2, full album: YouTube ; Spotify. Two albums directed by John are recommended in a post below.

Tom Johnson Jazz Orchestra, Time Takes Odd Turns, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Danny Jonokuchi, A Decade, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Danny Jonokuchi, Past Is Present, full EP/25 minutes: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Maetrix, full album: YouTube ; Spotify 😎