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,an album from about a half-century ago.... ๐
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. ๐บ ๐ท
"....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. ๐ฑ His website ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs ; IMDB.
"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'swebsite ; Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Brad Goode Polytonal Big Band, The Snake Charmer, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
Tuesday 25s,an album from Y2K / 2000, a quarter-century ago.... ๐
"....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-gardeArt Ensemble of Chicago, who released >50 albums from ~'66 - '99. So, Lester released >80 albums across ~33 years. Busy dude. ๐Wikipedia ; Allmusic ; Discogs.
Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy, When The Spirit Returns, full album: YouTube ; Spotify
"....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.
The band performs the energetic album tune 'Scrabble':
Cassio's 1st big band album was 2017's Infรขncia (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 Infรขncia is an unequivocal winner." Jack Bowers/AllAboutJazz. Album Discogs.
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.
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 Durรกn 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.
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 'Sueรฑo 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
Friday 50s,an album from 1975,a half-century ago.... ๐
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
"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
Tuesday 25s,albums fromabout 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) ๐
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. ๐ 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
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.
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.
Niels Jรธrgen Steen conducted the DRJO on their 1999 Duke Ellington centennial tributeThe 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 Jรธrgen 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 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. ๐
"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
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
Friday 50s,an album from 1975,a half-century ago.... ๐
"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
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.
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
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 theChris McDonald Jazz Orchestra's It’s About Time, also based in the city. ๐
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 albumThe 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
Tuesday 25s,an album from Y2K / 2000, a quarter-century ago.... ๐
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
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
"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.
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, Stรฉphane 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-Saรซns in 1886.... The work consists of 14 short movements, each representing a different animal, and Saint-Saรซns 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.
Friday 50s,today with 3 albums from 1974, so about a half-century ago... ๐
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.
Tuesday 25s,an album from about a quarter-century ago ... 1999. ๐
"Terence Blanchardcovers 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
"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.
