Big Band Jazz
 

What are some good big band jazz artists? I have recently gotten into Frank Zappa's album Grand Wazoo so I have a sudden interest. I would preferably like the older ones, but newer artists are also welcome.

Hmm, I'd like to get into this as well, Life In A Glass House type-stuff (If there is any).

like the radiohead song?

Yah, I doubt there's anything with an electronic bent, but darker stuff is what I mean.

alright first things first. NOTHING about this thread has anything to do with big band jazz. any purist would flip out.

IS - if you're digging on zappa's grand wazoo you might also dig on some john zorn stuff. possibly the residents as well. probably want to check out sun ra first of all though.

PM - as for the darker moodier stuff take a look at charles mingus' 'the black saint and the sinner lady' if your not already familiar with it. you might also dig early jaga jazzist their first 2 releases especially.

Ok, we obviously know nothing. Hence the thread. I'll check it out.

everyone has to start somewhere but associating frank zappa or a radiohead tune featuring a clarinet to big band jazz is like trying to associate nick drake with punk rock.

Life In A Glass House features a 'Big Band'.

I do want some big band jazz though...

well if you're just looking at the numbers jaga jazzist has 10 people on stage when they play.

big band jazz is generally associated with old school swing music from the 30s and 40s though. a simple google search will get you a ton of lists. i seem to remember hearing about a revival of the style in scandinavian countries within the last 4-5 years.

if you're hoping for something remotely similar to zappa you probably want to look more into free jazz. check out ornette coleman's 'free jazz' it features two quartets improvising with each other, one for each speaker. coleman leads the left side, eric dolphy leads the right.