Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra - 'Mundoagua: Celebrating Carla Bley' & Carla Bley - 'Fleur Carnivore' & a YouTube ~Concert

Today's selections are a 2025 tribute album, a 1989 album by the tributee, and a 2023 video tribute.  😁

Pianist/composer/arranger/bandleader/Latin Jazz icon Arturo "O'Farrill and his orchestra accomplished what they set out to do, which was to honor Carla Bley's vision and virtuosity while producing an album of stylish and entertaining Afro Latin jazz." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. There's actually alotta tempo changes and a bit of a wild ride. This would be labelled 'Progressive Big Band' by some, and is actually light on the 'Latin' touch. The orchestra is tight.

A post below is about Arturo's Grammy nominated album Virtual Birdland, with videos, and alotta info on him and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO). Arturo produces a regular Vlog, also called 'Virtual Birdland,' that is definitely worth a look and a subscription. Arturo's website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs. ALJO Discogs. YouTube Channel.

Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Mundoagua: Celebrating Carla Bley, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Pianist/composer/arranger/bandleader Carla Bley was an avant-garde jazz icon, with ~12 large ensemble albums and overall >24 releases from 1966 to 2019. Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

"Combining surprising arrangements and pop song melodies, Bley creates a unique jazz language, setting herself apart from both traditionalist bandleaders (Thad Jones) and more avant-garde stylists (George Russell). Fleur Carnivore is one of Bley's best titles and good place to start for newcomers." Stephen Cook/Allmusic. Album Wikipedia ; Discogs. A live album, released in 1989.

Carla Bley, Fleur Carnivore, full album: Spotify 

Arturo did a Vlog episode in tribute to Carla, after she passed in 2023,"Virtual Birdland, Episode 167, Remembering Carla Bley." Arturo does some commentary, but this is basically a full music show, with the suite 'Blue Palestine' from the new album. Included is a 2020 Carla small-group video. ~Split between small-group tunes and the ALJO. You should watch this, and subscribe to the ALJO YouTube Channel.  😎

Preservation Brass - 'For Fat Man'

Big Band 2025 post number 7. 🎺 🎷

"The bass drum beat is the heartbeat of New Orleans, the organ that pushes the blood through the arteries and veins of our city streets, and the biggest and strongest heart was Kerry 'Fat Man' Hunter. When the bass drum was strapped over his shoulders and the mallets were in his hands, he let ‘em know – loud, proud and undeniable was his style, and it’s that style that’s at the heart of For Fat Man, the new recording by the Preservation Hall Brass." Abbie Gobeli/Subpop. A project of their cornetist Kevin Louis.

"Along with the main Preservation Hall Jazz Band, who produced this, the Preservation Brass keeps the New Orleans brass band traditions alive. Active with various members for decades," this is their debut album. Matt Collar/Allmusic. Preservation Brass website.

Preservation Brass, For Fat Man, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp 

This is on the Big Band 2025 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Orquestra Jazz De Matosinhos - 'Our Secret World: Live At Cara' & 'Our Secret World'

Big Band 2025 posts its 6th album.  😁

Fifteen years ago the Portuguese big band Orquestra Jazz De Matosinhos (OJDM) recorded Our Secret World with Kurt Rosenwinkel, the virtuoso guitarist from Philadelphia. A 2021 reunion concert recorded 4 tunes released now as a short album, or EP. Live performances are available on a YouTube video playlist. 🎸 🎺 🎷

Kurt Rosenwinkel, one of the world's top jazz guitarists, has released >25 albums and has credits on almost 150 albums since 1991.  website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

A post below is about two 2024 OJDM releases, with band info. A song from Músicas Brasileiras, Músicos Portugueses earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement. Farol: Musica de Carlos Azevedo is just plain fun.

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Orquestra Jazz De Matosinhos, Our Secret World - Live At Cara, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp ; YouTube videos playlist.

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The original studio recording released in 2010 has 3 tunes not on the reunion EP. This was Kurt's 9th album as a leader. "....Our Secret World....has....the perfect combination of: compellingly unique source material; arrangers who dig....into the spirit and essence of the music to turn out charts of....great complexity and depth; and a clearly talented ensemble." John Kelman/AllAboutJazz. Album Wikipedia ; Discogs.

Kurt Rosenwinkel & Orquestra Jazz De Matosinhos, Our Secret World, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Kurt and OJDM perform the tune 'Zhivago' from their 2010 collaboration.   😎

Kenny Wheeler: Legacy - 'Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores' & Big Band - 'The Long Waiting'

The 5th 2025 release posted is a tribute album, with an album from the tributee.... 🎺

Nick Smart conducts the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) Jazz Orchestra from the UK, and John Daversa leads the University of Miami’s Frost Jazz Orchestra for one tune, in this album of recently discovered charts by Kenny Wheeler. These bands are augmented by Wheeler devotees and associates: pianist Shelly Berg;  trumpeters John Daversa, Ingrid Jensen, Etienne Charles, Nick Smart, Brian Lynch; saxophonists Evan Parker, Chris Potter; singer Norma Winstone.

"While the historical importance of these compositions is clear, the real magic of Some Days Are Better comes from the energy and depth the young musicians of the Academy and Frost ensembles bring to the table. Their passion, commitment, and feel for Wheeler’s music infuses these scores with fresh life, showing that his music is just as vibrant and timeless as ever." Tim Larsen/JazzViews.

Nick Smart is head of the Jazz Program at RAM, which is part of the University of London. This appears to be their 1st 'jazz orchestra' release. The Academy has a music label, which releases a wide variety of classical albums. Discogs. This is Nick's ~4th release since ~2006, and he recorded in Kenny Wheeler's big band. Website (old) ; Discogs.

A post below is about and gives more info on John Daversa and the Frost Jazz Orchestra and their 2024 album Historic Landmarks Of Miami: Live At Gusman Concert Hall 2024, and their 2023 album Live At Gusman Concert Hall 2023, with a video.   

Kenny Wheeler was a trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader, and big band and avant-garde stalwart. He had >80 releases and collaborations from ~1968 - 2014. Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Kenny Wheeler Legacy, Some Days Are Better: The Lost Scores, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp. 

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

Here's a Kenny Wheeler Big Band album, from 2012, that has Nick Smart in the trumpet section. "For this session, Wheeler's charts are performed by a 17-piece big band.... Wheeler's expressive flügelhorn has a slightly dissonant, fragile sound that is very much his own, while his works are full of moving ensemble passages and superb individual solos." Ken Dryden/Allmusic. Album Discogs.  😎

Kenny Wheeler Big Band, The Long Waiting, full album: YouTube ; Spotify 

Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band - 'The Snake Charmer'

A 4th 2025 release.  😁

"Trumpeter Brad Goode leads a strong and classy 16 team big band through a mix of originals and standards, all conducted under John Davis’ baton. The charts keep your interest, and the band has it’s own signature sound." George Harris/JazzWeekly.

Chicago/Colorado based Brad Goode, who plays trumpet, bass & drums, has recorded with Red Rodney, Eddie Harris, Ira Sullivan, Curtis Fuller, Jack DeJohnette, Rosemary Clooney, Richie Cole, Woody Herman and Ernie Watts, among others. Brad is also an educator at the University of Colorado, the state where the album was made. He's released ~20 albums across 4 decades. Brad's website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band, The Snake Charmer, full album: YouTube ; Spotify 

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The band plays the album opener 'Goose Chase.' 4 more album tune videos are available at Brad's YouTube channel.  😎

Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra - 'Vida'

Here's the 3rd 2025 release posted. 😁

"....brisk and demanding ensemble passages are blended throughout, buttressed by bright and impressive solos, all in the finest big-band tradition. Vianna's well-honed ensemble readily conquers every one of them, regardless of tone, tempo or tenor." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal guests on the 1st tune. Album Discogs.

This is composer/arranger/bandleader Cassio Vianna's 3rd album since 2011, 2nd with the orchestra. Cassio is director of Jazz Studies at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and this album is a PNW product. Cassio composes and arranges all the album music. Cassio's Website ; Discogs.

Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra, Vida, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The band performs the energetic album tune 'Scrabble':

Cassio's 1st big band album was 2017's Infância (childhood). Musicians from Colorado, USA, were used in the orchestra. "Vianna's 17-piece orchestra is letter-perfect, the soloists....poised and resourceful. Add Vianna's admirable charts, blend with care and Infância is an unequivocal winner." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs. 

Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra, Infância, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

 

Cassio directs the Pacific Lutheran Jazz Ensemble in the album tune 'For The Rise Of A New Day.' 😎

Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra - 'Tenor Madness,' 'Live From Nashville' & 'Colorado Brew'

Baritone saxophonist/composer/arranger/educator Ryan "Middagh’s arrangements reflect a deep respect for jazz’s big band legacy, blending swing-era traditions with post-bop expression.... Each of the six tracks offers us a journey that celebrates tradition, spontaneity, and the personalities within the ensemble." Nolan DeBuke/TheJazzWord.

Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra, Tenor Madness, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 

This is Ryan's 3rd ~big band album, and one with an octet, since 2010. 2019s Live From Nashville features vocalist Keb’ Mo’, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and saxophonist Jeff Coffin, who is also on the new album, and his album Only The Horizon was featured in a post below. Ryan's website.

Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra, Live From Nashville, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2019 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

He did a 2013 album as a result of his dissertation while at the University of Northern Colorado. "This project is part of Ryan's Doctoral Jazz work and features his old friends and mentors Jeff Coffin and drummer Tom Giampetro. They join a highly skilled student ensemble performing a set of tunes honoring Colorado's fine craft beers. Pop a cold one and sit back and enjoy the irrepressible joy inspired by their presence!" Soundcloud. This is a little-big-band.

Ryan Middagh, Colorado Brew, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

"This project is part of Ryan's Doctoral Jazz work and features his old friends and mentors saxophonist Jeff Coffin and drummer Tom Giampetro joining a highly skilled student ensemble performing a set of tunes honoring Colorado's fine craft beers. Pop a cold one and sit back and enjoy the irrepressible joy inspired by their presence!"

Ryan's orchestra performs 4 tunes from the Live in Nashville album. The 1st is 'Move Your Rug'.

The 2nd is 'Dolphin Dance,' a Herbie Hancock tune.

 The 3rd is 'Don't Push'.

The 4th is 'The Commissioner' and features trombonist Wycliffe Gordon.

The Nashville big band jazz scene thrives, apparently. A post below is about the Chris McDonald Jazz Orchestra's It’s About Time, also based in the city. 😎

Allison Miller & The One O'Clock Lab Band - 'Big & Lovely'

The first post for a 2025 release is from that wonderful jazz program that helps keep the flame alive. The University of North Texas (UNT) and its One O'Clock Lab Band performs songs by and with drummer Allison Miller.

"I couldn’t be more thrilled to have collaborated with Alan Baylock and the prestigious One O’Clock Lab Band on this project. It just felt right from the very beginning and I am immensely grateful to the talented students for their hard work, passionate energy, and exemplary performance on this album!" 

Allison has released >15 albums since 2004. She began her jazz career as a big band drummer at age 14, and her recording career with singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco in the late 90s. She now leads her own band 'Boom Tic Boom,' and guests on many sessions. Website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

A post below is about the One O'Clock Lab Band's album Lab 24, with more info about the band and a video with Allison.

Allison Miller And The One O'clock Lab Band, Big & Lovely, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

This is on the Big Band 2025 and Jazz Best Albums 2025 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

UNT has a Two O'Clock Lab Band as well, and their 2021 album Long Way On A Blues earned a post below, with more info on that band.

Allison and the band perform the fun title track.

That was so nice, here's another tune.

Might as well post all of these concert tunes. One more at the previously mentioned post below. 😎