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.

Check out Don Ellis.The albums Electric Bath and Autumn especially

Raymond Scott`s 1930`s recordings too

If you are talking about the real big band swing:

Some essential recordings of Duke Ellington:
The Duke at Fargo
Ellington at Newport
Far East Suite
...and His Mother Called Him Bill

There's also Count Basie:
The Complete Original American Decca Recordings

And Art Tatum (not a big band though):
Classic Early Solos (1934-1937)
The Chronogical Classics: Art Tatum 1932-1934

I am very partial to Glenn Miller myself but his music was on a much smaller scale.

I agree that Zappa is not Big Band jazz, but appreciate your interest. Check out the Jaco Pastorius Big Band. They have some killing funk charts, and play some straight ahead stuff as well.

Michael Buble's Music sheets
 

hi guys...does anyone here know where i can download (for free) a music sheet for piano / gtr of the song "Can't Buy Me Love" as interpreted by Michael Buble.Same as the chords used with Michael's. I would really appreciate your help. Tnx so much!-jack

Dizzy Gillespie & Buddy Rich are both brilliant big banders.

I heard a really great big band version of straycat strut by the straycats the other day any idea what big band it was covering the song anyone?

What do you mean by "smaller scale"?

I get good enjoyment out of Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. They have some good tunage. Sad thing is that big bands, now, are a bit of a rarity and are slowly fading.

huge fan of The Buddy Rich Big Band.

The big band jazz is mostly from the 1930s - 1940s. Some of my favorites are Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Glenn Miller.

Duke Ellington and Count Basie wrote some great big band tunes in the 1930s. Thad Jones is also one of my favourites, but his music is a bit later in the 20th century

Dizzy Gillespie is really a must hear for any jazz nut. He has some crazily complex melodies.

I would highly recommend Glen Miller, probably one of my favorite big band jazz artists.