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.  😎

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.  😎

Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy - 'When The Spirit Returns'

Tuesday 25s, an album from Y2K / 2000, a quarter-century ago.... 😊

"....a program of pop, jazz, and R&B hits, most of them coming from the artists of the era: Notorious B.I.G., Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Bob Marley, Babyface, India Arie, and others.... The aplomb, taste, and exquisite sense of empathy for this music is everywhere in Bowie's arrangements.... This is a fitting final project, and easily the most consistent and realized of all the Brass Fantasy (BF) albums." Thom Jurek/Allmusic ; Wikpedia ; Discogs. This had >1 album cover.

 Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy:

• Drums – Vinnie Johnson
• French Horn – Vincent Chancey
• Guest, Vocals – Dean Bowman
• Percussion – Victor See Yuen
• Trombone – Gary Valente, Luis Bonilla
• Trumpet – Gerald Brazel, Lester Bowie, Joseph "Mac" Gollehon, Ravi Best
• Tuba – Bob Stewart

BF released ~9 albums from ~1984 - '00. Discogs. BF was a project of trumpet legend Lester Bowie, who released ~24 more albums from ~1978 - '00. He was a founder of the avant-garde Art Ensemble of Chicago, who released >50 albums from ~'66 - '99. So, Lester released >80 albums across ~33 years. Busy dude. 😁Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy, When The Spirit Returns, full album: YouTube ; Spotify 

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 2000 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.   😎

Terence Blanchard - 'Jazz In Film'

Tuesday 25s, an album from about a quarter-century ago ... 1999.  😉

"Terence Blanchard covers classic motion picture scores with an expressive jazz trumpet and approach to straight-ahead jazz on ... Jazz In Film. Scores ... are immersed in the world of jazz and resurface complete with Blanchard's imprint and eloquent style that is reminiscent of mid-'60s Miles Davis." Paula Edelstein/Allmusic.  

Covers of Duke Ellington (Anatomy of a Murder), Quincy Jones (The Pawn Broker), Jerry Goldsmith (Chinatown), Bernard Herrmann (Taxi Driver) and Elmer Bernstein (Man with the Golden Arm) and more. A band of: Bass – Reginald Veal; Drums – Carl Allen; Piano – Kenny Kirkland get some help from: Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson; Trombone – Steve Turre; Alto Saxophone – Donald Harrison. An orchestra supplements most tunes. Album Discogs.

Terence Blanchard is a New Orleans-born jazz trumpeter and film composer known for his close association with director Spike Lee. He has >80 film and television scores, has been nominated for 2 Academy Awards, has won 7 Grammy Awards with 16 nominations, and has an Emmy and BAFTA nomination. Website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Terence Blanchard, Jazz In Film, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

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

Maynard Ferguson - 'Chameleon'

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

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

Maynard and the band perform the title track, with Brian Smith on sax. Vid is a bit imperfect. 😎

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. 😎

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. 😎

Blue Mitchell - 'Many Shades Of Blue'

Friday 50s 😁 an album from a half-century ago....

"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.

Blue Mitchell released >40 albums from 1958-78. Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs

Blue Mitchell, Many Shades Of Blue, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

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

Tom Harrell - 'Time's Mirror'

Tuesday 25s 😁 an album from a quarter-century ago....

Trumpeter Tom Harrell's 1999 big band album Time's Mirror earned a 2000 Grammy Award nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance (album).

"Harrell's regular pianist Xavier Davis, saxophonist Don Braden, and trombonist Conrad Herwig are standouts in terms of their solo spots and this tight ensemble, some 17 strong, manages to nail Harrell's charts with a precision that belies their relative difficulty." C.A. Hovan/AllAboutJazz. Album Allmusic ; Discogs ; Wikipedia

Harrell has released >65 albums since 1976, and has won multiple Trumpeter of the Year awards from DownBeat magazine. Tom's website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Tom Harrell, Time's Mirror, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

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

Strictly Smokin' Big Band - 'Strictly Smokin' & Friends'

This one is sure to cure the Monday blues.... 😁

"Buoyant up-tempo grooves, strong ensemble work and engaging arrangements make this an exemplary big band recording.

Trumpeter Michael Lamb began the band in 2003 and they have steadily developed to be the top big band in the North East of England and one of the most exciting in the UK.... Lamb's work is in demand for TV and he has recorded for films as diverse as Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. Joining the 19-strong band are special guests for each track, providing the album with the title." Neil Duggan/AllAboutJazz. Mainly instrumental, with 2 vocal tunes.

This is their ~3rd album since ~2021, with more live show downloads available at their website.

Strictly Smokin' Big Band, Strictly Smokin' & Friends, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

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

Rob Parton's Ensemble 9+ - 'Relentless' & Two O'Clock Lab Band - 'Long Way On A Blues'

"Parton has produced another winner with Relentless, and fans of big-band jazz should rejoice accordingly." Troy Dostert/AllAboutJazz. Mainly instrumental, with 2 vocal tunes.

Trumpeter Rob Parton is a faculty member of North Texas University (NTU) since 2019. Before that he was Chicago-based and led the JazzTech Big Band, which released 7 albums from 1991 - 2007. Rob's website ; Discogs. Fyi, an album by the Fernando Huergo Big Band with the same title was recommended recently below.

Rob Parton's Ensemble 9+, Relentless, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

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

A post below is about NTU's One O'Clock Lab Band. Parton released the 2021 album Long Way On A Blues with NTU's Two O'Clock Lab Band (TLB), another renown NTU student class. The TLB has released ~18 albums since 1994. "The band takes to the charts like ducks to water..." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Mainly instrumental, with 2 vocal tunes. Album Discogs. TLB Discogs ; Wikipedia

Two O'Clock Lab Band, Long Way On A Blues, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Big Band 2021 playlist at Spotify/JazzTodayish.

Enjoy the title tune 'Long Way On A Blues' played live in studio by the NTU TLB. 😎

Bill Warfield and The Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra - ‘Chesapeake’

"One of the more flexible large ensembles on the New York scene. Capable of swinging fervently, playing a persuasive mambo or laying down the funk in no uncertain terms, the Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra (HKFO) covers a lot of bases on Chesapeake." Jeremy Smith/Last Row Music. Guests include saxophonist Gary Bartz, trombonist Conrad Herwig and keyboardist Paul Shaffer.

Trumpeter-composer-arranger-bandleader-educator and Baltimore native Bill Warfield has played in the NYC area and released ~9 big band albums since ~1983 (Discogs). Most were as the Bill Warfield Big Band, and this is the 3rd HKFO album since 2020. Bill has a day job as director of the jazz program at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Bill Warfield and The Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra, Chesapeake, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

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

Joe Clark Big Band - 'Black And Cardinal'

Joe Clark is a Chicago-based trumpeter, composer and arranger. His compositions have been performed by Yo Yo Ma, Kurt Elling and the WDR Big Band, to name a few. Black and Cardinal is his 4th album since 2013, and 2nd with a big band. The only complaint - it could be longer... Joe's Discogs.

Joe Clark Big Band, Black And Cardinal, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

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

Frost Jazz Orchestra - 'Historic Landmarks Of Miami: Live At Gusman Concert Hall 2024' & 'Live At Gusman Concert Hall 2023'

1st (or 3rd) of 3 posts about jazz big bands comprised of young musicians. 

The Frost Jazz Orchestra is a component of the Frost School Of Music at the University Of Miami (Florida, USA). The orchestra has won Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards often over the last decade, and often plays with jazz-great guests. Composer/arranger/trumpeter Dr. John Daversa is resident director, and Chair Of Studio Music And Jazz. This album documents a fine performance from April 2024.

John Daversa has over a dozen big band and small group releases as a leader or co-leader since 1994. He's won 3 Grammy Awards with 6 nominations. John's website ; YouTube ; Discogs ; ~monthly Podcast.

Frost Jazz Orchestra, Historic Landmarks Of Miami: Live At Gusman Concert Hall 2024, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

The orchestra's first album, from 2023, might be even better:

Frost Jazz Orchestra, Live At Gusman Concert Hall 2023, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

2024 is on the Big Band 2024 and Jazz Best Albums 2024 playlists, and 2023 is on Big Band 2023 and the Jazz Best Albums 2023 playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish. 😎

Here's a nice performance of a 2024 album tune:

Maynard Ferguson - ‘M.F. Horn 4 & 5: Live At Jimmy’s’

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

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

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.

  😎

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra - 'Centennial: The Music of Thad Jones'

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

Trumpeter Thad Jones co-led the band through 1978, and a new VJO album celebrates his charts on Centennial. This is a 2 hour live show at the Village Vanguard in New York, where the orchestra has been in Monday-night residency for over 50 years! Album review at JazzWeekly.

The TJMLJO's 1974 double Grammy-nominated album Potpourri earned a post below, as part of a half-century retrospective. VJO Discogs. TJMLJO Discogs.

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Centennial: The Music Of Thad Jones, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp.

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

Wynton Marsalis & Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra - ‘Big Train’

Retrospective 1999, an album from 25 years or a quarter-century ago….

Richard Ginell/Allmusic: “A 52-minute big band suite modeled after Ellington's long-form essays, it purports to evoke the moods, sounds and feelings of a cross-country train trip with selections named after a train's various cars…. There is fine soloing all around in the hard bop tradition from Wessell Anderson, Victor Goines, Ted Nash & Walter Blanding, Jr. (saxes) and Wycliffe Gordon (trombone) …. One of Marsalis' better extended form essays.”

This was trumpeter/composer/arranger Wynton Marsalis’ ~51st of >100 albums since 1981. He has won 9 Grammys with 32 nominations. Discogs. Wikipedia. website.

The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (LCJO) originated in 1988, and Marsalis has directed since ‘91. LCJO has released ~18 albums since 2015, and >30 since 1992. Wikipedia ; website ; Discogs (incomplete). LCJO is a component of Jazz At Lincoln Center, NYC.

Wynton Marsalis & Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Big Train, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

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

A 2023 big band album from LCJO saxophonist Victor Goines, The Woodlawn Suite, was the very first post of this blog, on 8 December 2023. More info about Victor in that post.

Jazz At Lincoln Center has a subscription video channel, called Jazz Live ($10 mo, $100 yr), and includes shows from Dizzy’s Club. Shows are live streamed and then available VOD. For $10 you get a ~half-dozen excellent live shows monthly.

Frustratingly, they only give access to a few of their back-log shows at-a-time, instead of full access to a treasure-trove of live jazz performances. Currently available, however, is a wonderful Toshiko Akiyoshi tribute concert from 2023, which features husband Lew Tabackin on sax, and the LCJO plays her big band charts.

Coincidentally, on Friday, May 3, 8 pm/2000h EDT, the LCJO and Wynton Marsalis perform(ed) Duke Ellington At 125. That’s 2 enticements for big band jazz fans to try Jazz Live.

Here's a live performance of Big Train in its entirety from around release time. Video is a bit dated, but the sound is fine.  😎

Count Basie Orchestra - 'Basie Swings The Blues'

This WON the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Large Ensemble Album. The awards were on 4 February 2024.

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 won a Grammy with 2 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.  😎

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.  😎