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 

Patrick Williams - 'Threshold'

Friday 50s, an album from about a half-century ago.... 😉

This is a 1973 release that was nominated for a 1975 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Big Band. Patrick Williams won for Best Instrumental Arrangement of the title tune. 🎺 🎷

"....this album features Williams hitting....a 70s jazz funk groove, with a nice electric edge. The tracks are long, and the solos are played by Tom Scott and Marvin Stamm (mostly) -- and the rest of the group includes Mike Melvoin on keyboards, John Guerin on drums, and Larry Bunker on percussion." Dusty Groove. Album Allmusic ; Discogs.

Patrick Williams was a composer/arranger/bandleader who made most of his fame in TV and movie music, but also released some fine jazz albums. He scored > 200 films and ~ 20 television series, and did arrangements for >200 albums! He won 4 Emmys and 23 nominations, 2 Grammys and 19 nominations, with nominations for an Oscar and a Pulitzer. 😱 His website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs ; IMDB. 

Patrick Williams, Threshold, full album: Spotify 

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1973 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

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.   😎

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.' 😎

Grammy 2025 + Latin Grammy 2024 Big Band Summary & Barcelona Clarinet Players - 'Panamericano'

The 2025 Grammy and 2024 Latin Grammy Awards are complete. Here is a summary of how 'large ensemble' or orchestral jazz nominees fared. The 67th Grammy Awards were 2 February.

The award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album went to the Dan Pugach Big Band for Bianca Reimagined. A post below has more info, links to the winner album, and a video.

The other nominees were (link to its post below):

• Orrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band, Walk A Mile In My Shoe
• The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, And So It Goes
• John Beasley & Frankfurt Radio Big Band, Returning To Forever
• Miguel Zenon, Golden City 
  

There were 2 ~orchestral jazz nominees, a post below described both:

• Bill Frisell, Orchestras - Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
• Henry Mancini, The 100th Sessions: Henry Has Company - Michael League of Snarky Puppy for Best Arrangement Of An Instrumental for "Baby Elephant Walk - Encore."

The 25th Latin Grammy Awards were 14 November 2024.

Hilario Duran WON for Best Arrangement of 'Night in Tunisia' on Hilario Durán and His Latin Jazz Big Band, Cry Me A River, featuring saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera. Hilario also earned a 2024 regular Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement for ‘I Remember Mingus.’ A post below has more info, links and a video of '....Mingus,' with Paquito.

The Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos, conducted by Gabi Guedes with guest drummer Kiko Freitas, earned Nailor Proveta a nomination for Best Arrangement for the tune "Linha de Passe," from their album Músicas Brasileiras, Músicos Portugueses. See a post below for more info, links to this excellent album and a full concert video.

Paquito D’Rivera earned a 2nd nomination for Best Classical Contemporary Composition for 'Caribbean Berceuse' on the Barcelona Clarinet Players' (BCP) 2023 album Panamericano. Daniel Freiberg earned nominations for composition and Best Arrangment for the song 'Sueño Austral' from the this well-regarded album.

Here's some more info, from their label. "The Barcelona Clarinet Players commissioned six prominent Latin American composers to write new works for clarinet quartet and wind band. During their 2021–2022 season, they recorded each work with a different wind band in the United States or Latin America, and the result is a captivating album of extraordinary musical richness and diversity that showcases the unique aesthetic of each composer and the artistry of the performing ensembles." Album Discogs. BCP website ; Discogs.

Barcelona Clarinet Players, Panamericano, full album: YouTube ; Spotify 

This is on the Big Band 2023 and the Latin Grammy Jazz Albums 2020 - ? playlists at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

A post below celbrates Paquito D'Rivera's win and Daniel Freiberg's nomination at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards, for their work on the album Pacho Flores & Orquesta Sinfonica De Mineria, Estirpe.

The vid is Paquito D'Rivera and the BCP with 2 tunes from their 2022 album Fantasias Barcelonicas - A Tribute To Paquito D'Rivera.

These are the big bandish albums garnered from list scans. Post a comment if something was missed.

A post below summarizes the 2024 Grammy and 2023 Latin Grammy Awards. 😎

Slide Hampton & Joe Haider Orchestra - 'Give Me A Double'

Friday 50s, an album from 1975, a half-century ago.... 😊

Details are scarce for this excellent live performance recorded in Munich, Germany, in early 1974. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon guests. Album Discogs.

Trombonist/composer/arranger/bandleader Slide Hampton was a big band stalwart. He played in the big and small bands of Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Art Blakey, Tadd Dameron, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Max Roach. Slide also led ~50 albums from ~1961 - 2008. Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Pianist/bandleader Joe Haider has led ~29 albums since ~1970, and is still very active in Germany at a seemingly young age of 89. His current big band played a tribute concert to Slide and this album in ~April '23. He tours with a quintet that includes saxophonist Toni Lakatos this March in a Miles Davis tribute. He plans a final big band tour in January '26. Go Joe! Website ; Wikipedia ; Discography.

Slide Hampton & Joe Haider Orchestra, Give Me A Double, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1975 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

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. 😎

Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra - 'Nice Work' & 'The Governor' & 'Ways Of Seeing' & a YouTube Concert

Tuesday 25s, albums from about a quarter-century ago. Today's recommendation is a wonderful 3 album-run from 1999 - 2000 by the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra (DRJO), or also Big Band (DRBB) 😊

Nice Work was required to earn pianist/composer/arranger Jim McNeely and the DRJO a 2001 Grammy Award nomination for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. 😁 Jim also earned a nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement for the Gershwin tune 'Nice Work If You Can Get It.' Album Allmusic ; Discogs.

Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra & Jim McNeely, Nice Work, full album: Spotify 

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

McNeely has led >25 , played on >140, and arranged for >100 albums since 1966. Jim earned a Grammy as part of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, with 12 more nominations. He was chief conductor of the DRJO/DRBB from 1998 - 2002. His piano chops placed him in the Stan Getz Quartet for 4 years and the Phil Woods Quintet for 6. Jim's website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

A full concert video is posted below where McNeely arranges and conducts the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.

The jazz big band of The Danish Broadcasting Corporation was established in 1964 and has been renamed several times, with >70 albums. The complete discography is spread over at least these 2 iterations. DRJO Discogs. DRBB website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

I didn't write a post about the DRBB's 2024 album XL-LX, but I did mention its release in a post below, with links to album streams.

Niels Jørgen Steen conducted the DRJO on their 1999 Duke Ellington centennial tribute The Governor. This is an energetic and fun album. Discogs. Niels has been active in Danish jazz since 1958, with >100 composer/writer/pianist/conductor credits. His piano chops are exhibited with > 10 albums with saxophone legend Ben Webster. Niels Discogs ; Wikipedia.

Dutch Radio Jazz Orchestra & Niels Jørgen Steen, The Governor, full album: YouTube ; Spotify ; Bandcamp

Danish pianist/composer/bandleader Ole Kock Hansen conducted the DRJO/BB for ~5 albums from 1995 - 2000. The 1999 album Ways Of Seeing: Live At The Basement, Sydney, captures a hot, straight-ahead show from Down Under. Audio could be crisper, but overall is just fine. Album Discogs. Ole's Discogs. 

Dutch Radio Jazz Orchestra & Ole Kock Hansen, Ways Of Seeing, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

The 2 above are on the Jazz Best Albums 1999 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.

The DRBB shows they are a team effort, as the conductor from the 3rd album above leads an entire concert of music from the 2nd album, 7 years before either. A wonderful show from 1992, with nice sound. Trombonist Buster Cooper and trumpeter Clark Terry guest and solo, and the band's regular soloists are quite adept.  😎

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. 😎

Louis Bellson - 'The Louis Bellson Explosion'

Friday 50s, an album from 1975, a half-century ago.... 😊

"A fine mid-'70s date that was both a showcase for Bellson's bombastic drumming and also a nice straight-ahead date with great contributions from" trumpeters Blue Mitchell, Snookey Young, Cat Anderson and Bobby Shew, saxophonists Pete Christlieb and Don Menza, and others. Ron Wynn/Allmusic. Album Wikipedia ; Discogs.

Louis Bellson released >100 albums from ~1952 to 1998, with >300 compositions and 9 Grammy nominations, mainly with big bands. Louis pioneered the use of double bass kick drums, developed new technology for and was vice-president of Remo drums, and was the husband and musical director for singer Pearl Bailey. Louis' Website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Louis Bellson, The Louis Bellson Explosion, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

This is on the Jazz Best Albums 1975 playlist at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎

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. 😎

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.'  😎

Joe Lovano Nonet – '52nd Street Themes'

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

Saxophonist Joe Lovano's 2000 release 52nd Street Themes won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, even though he only used 9 musicians.

 "....this record is a powerful reminder of the tenor giant’s debt to the tradition. Still, the music has that unmistakable Lovano edge." David Adler/AllAboutJazz. Album Allmusic ; Discogs.

Joe has released >50 albums since 1986, with this Grammy Award win and 14 more nominations. He did another nonet album, 2003s On This Day At The Vanguard. Website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Joe Lovano Nonet, 52nd Street Themes, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

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

Here's 'Abstractions On...' and the title theme, in an extended number from Joe's 2006 nonet DVD New Morning: The Paris Concert.  😎

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. 😎

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...  😎

Bob James &: Grover Washington Jr. - 'Mr. Magic'; Hank Crawford - ' Don't You Worry...' and his own - 'One'

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 album Jazz Hands received a 2024 Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. One Allmusic ; Discogs. Bob's website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.

Bob James, One, full album: YouTube ; Spotify

All of these are on Jazz Best Albums 1974 at Spotify/Jazz Todayish.  😎