Poll: Big bands

[Tom Storer]

Or, alternatively, just post your favorites.

[Pete C]

20 choices & you forget Gerald Wilson? Shame on you.

[Tom Storer]

I would have had to bump Jackie Gleason!

[Pete C]

Except for Gleason, you actualy alphabetized the choices (by first name). Are you that type of person?

[Tom Storer]

I am only that type of person when it comes to written communication. In most other matters I am chaos personified. You should see my desk. I have my CDs in chronological order, but at any given time up to 20% of them are lying around in various rooms of the house in random stacks (to my wife's despair) because I don't always put them back when I've finished listening to them.

And even when writing things, I'm only that type of person sporadically and inconsistently. This makes me think I'm not really that type of person at all.

For the poll, I had written out a much longer list in Word, pared it to twenty and then on a whim sorted alphabetically.

[Steve Reynolds]

London Jazz Composers Orchestra

[Pete C]

Originally posted by Steve Reynolds
London Jazz Composers Orchestra

You would say that...

[SinginSumo]

Maria Schneider omitted?

Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin omitted???

[Steve Reynolds]

or

Italian Instabile Orchestra

or

Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra

or

Globe Unity Orchestra

and you would love the Instabile - with Trovesi in the band - the latest has a great Trovesi composition leading off the disc


surprised the *great* Tom Storer would miss 4 of the greatest big bands in his poll

yet no one forgets the silly Lincoln Center band


and this is not even considering that the *greatest* band of them all isn't actually a big band

and that is, of course, the Brotzmann Tentet......





Short Visit To Nowhere, baby

[bostontricky]

Didn't we have an avant BB thread here, somewhere?

Hmm, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton but no Don Ellis? No Michael Gibbs? I know my tastes run to the mid-60s to mid-70s, but this poll is a little rough.

(I did refrain from saying "No Maynard" though...)

[Tom Storer]

I had all those in my original list (well, not the Berlin Contemporary Orchestra, I must admit) but I wanted to cut it down to 20 so I just hacked away at it and devil take the hindmost. After all, you *can* just list your favorites.

I threw in the LCJO in case some brave soul actually likes them and is willing to admit to it here; and Jackie Gleason just for laffs.

[EKE BBB]

DUKE COOKS!!!

[EKE BBB]

btw
20 big bands and no Fletcher Henderson and no McKinney´s Cotton Pickers???

[Troy D]

Originally posted by Steve Reynolds

and this is not even considering that the *greatest* band of them all isn't actually a big band

and that is, of course, the Brotzmann Tentet......


I can't remember if on the other thread there was a consensus on exactly how many members a band needed to have in order to qualify as a "big" band. I always thought 10 would be enough.

[stonemonkts]

I have to agree with Mr. Reynolds regarding the exclusion of LJCO (yeah they're relatively new to me, but I feel confident in my ability to recognize shizz-nit when I hear it).

And, come on...Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra??? I am assuming they were included as a sort of tongue-in-cheek gag. That band is more boring than a Sunday Catholic mass in the burbs.

I voted for Duke Ellington. To maintain a steady working band for nearly 50 years of (mostly) exceptional quality is mind boggling when you consider it.

By the way, Mr. Reynolds, I recall you referring to Globe Unity 1967/70 as a "disaster". If so, which others by that band would you recommend?

I've still not heard the Brotzmann Tentet. I did a cursory search for the Chicago Octet/Tentet 3 CD set but couldn't find it in the usual places. Any suggestions on this front?

EDIT: I just checked the most obvious place for Okkadisk releases (the Okkadisk website) which looks to be the best option, and prices seem more than fair ($30 for the 3 CD set).

[Uli]

Originally posted by Troy D
I can't remember if on the other thread there was a consensus on exactly how many members a band needed to have in order to qualify as a "big" band. I always thought 10 would be enough.

If it moves us like a big band, it's a big band!

[jazzbluescat]

How come late '50s-'60s Maynard F. was excluded?
I mean raaaaaaly.

[walto]

Just curious. Why does the total say 16 votes when it isn't?

[Tanager]

/me peeks in and says, "Bob Moses."

[Uli]

Originally posted by walto
Just curious. Why does the total say 16 votes when it isn't?

My guess is that this is a mulitple choice poll and one vote includes multiple choices.

[John L]

BASIE!


1937-1940

[hornplayer]

Originally posted by SinginSumo
Maria Schneider omitted?

Toshiko Akiyoshi omitted???

DITTO!!!

[LeMo]

Martial Solal Dodecaband (not a total joke).

And as you live in France how could you forget to mention ONJ/ Orchestre National de Jazz? (this is more of a joke).

[Capt. W./TX.]

Shouldn't leave these out of the voting:

Gerald Wilson
Maria Schneider
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (keepers of the flame...and much besides)
Claude Thornhill
Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band
Mingus Big Band

Also: oughta be specific about the time frame on some...not all Duke's bands were that brilliant, but the '39-42 Webster-Blanton edition was classic, as was most of the '56-on vintage (up to Strayhorn's death in '67); one of the greatest sax sections of all time.

Basie's pre-W.W.II (the'Old Testament' band, as he called it) and the band from '52 (reformed thanks to Billy Eckstine's incessant nagging) on through the early 60's; it featured the likes of Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Snooky Young, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Marshall Royal's classic lead alto, Henry Coker, Buddy Catlett, etc.

Dizzy Gillespie's mid-50's band (wth Phil Woods, Melba Liston, Billy Mitchell, Lee Morgan, Charli Persip, Wynton Kelly, etc.) not to be sneezed at, either...

[BeBop]

Few questions have such a definitive answer in my mind:
BASIE

I'm neither wishy nor washy on this one. (Which isn't to say anyone should agree with me...) Swing, drive, nuance, Pres...

Others:
Dizzy Gillespie
Earl Hines
Billy Eckstine

[bobflo]

My husband, Bob florence

[Bill Barton]

Originally posted by Uli
If it moves us like a big band, it's a big band!

Rahsaan, Root Strata..., roll out the garden hose and hang up the thunder sheet folks, it's Summer.

[Fran]

Looking at the voting I say the world is on the right track.
The top 5 are a good indication of the intelligencs, clear mindedness and purity of heart of the Jazz Corner World
I would alter the order some, and am ambivalent on Sun Ra, but yes! -------
Ellington
Herman
Basie
Tad Jones-Mel Lewis

Admittedly never got into Sun Ra properly perhaps

[Elkhart1963]

BILL HOLMAN!!!

[Jonny Miner]

If you asked me w/o the guidance of a list, after Ellington I'd probably say Fletcher Henderson.

For more recent stuff, I'd certainly include William Parker's Lil Huey, Alan Silva's Celestrial Communications Orchestra (he maintains that they're not a big band, but tell that to half the players!), and Sam Rivers' various large ensembles...

[vibes]

I would've picked Gerald Wilson, had he been on the list. On a whim (I wasn't really into big band music at the time), I ordered the Mosaic set late last year, and it was quite a revelation. Highly recommended music to anyone looking for big band they've never heard before. The latin-flavored stuff is my favorite.

[James Lee]

Ditto, and double-ditto [respectively] to those who voiced praise for Bill Holman, Maria Schneider, and Toshiko Akiyoshi.

[SilentKnowledge]

The Brotherhood of Breath.

[7/4]

Sun Ra!

[graypencil]

Shouldn't leave these out of the voting:

Gerald Wilson
Maria Schneider
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (keepers of the flame...and much besides)
Claude Thornhill
Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band
Mingus Big Band

snip


Dizzy Gillespie's mid-50's band (wth Phil Woods, Melba Liston, Billy Mitchell, Lee Morgan, Charli Persip, Wynton Kelly, etc.) not to be sneezed at, either...


I second the Capn on his choices ..and would add:

WDR Radio Big band ( done some freat stuff by Jim McNeely and Dennis Mackrell )
Jim McNeely Tentette
The Metropole Orchestra
Carla Bley
Instabile Orchestra ( thanks to Steve R for pulling my coat here ..)

[frankiepop]

this is as bad as a florida ballot...really it's such a bad list...to edit this to 20 and the 20 chosen....i must protest and refuse to vote..

[Scott Yanow]

Fletcher Henderson (1927)
McKinney's Cotton Pickers
Artie Shaw
Boyd Raeburn
Don Ellis
Bill Holman
Mingus Big Band

Oops, they aren't on the list.

Jackie Gleason???

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Boyd Raeburn


I'm glad I'm not alone in listening to him! Intricate, absorbing, swinging charts, of Stravinsky as well as Gershwin. And a band with Dizzy, Shelly Manne, Serge Chaloff, Lucky Thompson....

Raeburn's always been underrated, I just hope he doesn't slide off into forgotten.

[Pete C]

Raeburn's always been underrated, I just hope he doesn't slide off into forgotten.

George Handy is really the one who's underrated.

[Richardo Caerleoni]

The Clarke-Boland Big Band – - On a good night...
Benny Bailey, Dusko Gojkovic (tp, hf), Idrees Sulieman, Tony Fisher (tp), Ake Person, Nat Peck (tb), Eric van Lier (btb), Derek Humble (as), Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Scott (ts), Tony Coe (ts,cl), Sahib Shihab (bars, fl, ss), Francy Boland (p, arr), Ron Mathewson (b), Kenny Clarke, Kenny Clare (ds)

AND
Dr.Ross -
http://www.muenster.org/cuba/haus/cultur/projekts/Dr,Ross.jpg

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

George Handy is really the one who's underrated.


George Handy being Boyd Raeburn's arranger. And you're quite right, Pete, I didn't recognize the name, only noticed it now that I pulled the disc out to play.

I should have also mentioned Dodo Marmaroso in the list of luminaries in the band.

[SinginSumo]

Phil Kelly!!!

[Gordon B]

I didn't vote because LJCO wasn't on the list.

[SEJ]

My favorite BB recordings all involve Kenny Wheeler. (And Norma Winstone: her voice may be my favorite ensemble instrument.)

[Steve Reynolds]

I won't vote, even though it would be for Duke, because the London Jazz Composer's Orchestra wasn't even listed.

and neither was the Italian Instabile Orchestra

yet we have listed many bands that don't come near to the greatness, grandeur of thes magnicent ensembles.


god help us

[Gordon B]

My favorite BB recordings all involve Kenny Wheeler. (And Norma Winstone: her voice may be my favorite ensemble instrument.)

"Music for Large and Small Ensembles" is a great record. There's no other Wheeler I like half as much. I agree about Norma Winstone.

[Bill Barton]

Summer's back, so's this thread and so am I (for a bit.)

What a truly bizarre "Top Twenty!" :eek:

Okay, off the top of my head, at this point in time, in no order whatsoever...

Some "working" bands and some "studio" bands.

All have given me great listening pleasure at one time or another.

Duke Ellington
George Gruntz
Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin
Count Basie
Maria Schneider
Phil Kelly
Carla Bley
Andy Sheppard
Julius Hemphill
Vinny Golia
Vienna Art Orchestra
Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland
Sun Ra!!!!!
Gerald Wilson
McKinney's Cotton Pickers (with a tip o' the hat to John Nesbitt)
David Murray!
Oliver Nelson
Bob Moses (the Gramavision stuff - f*&king awesome!)
Gil Evans
International Sweethearts of Rhythm
Thad Jones-Mel Lewis
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Sam Rivers!
Erskine Hawkins
Jay Thomas
Barbary Coast
Jimmie Lunceford
Clayton-Hamilton
Bill Holman
Don Redman
Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band
London Jazz Composers Orchestra
Alan Silva Celestial Communication Orchestra and Sound Visions Orchestra
Clifford Thornton
Butch Morris
Don Ellis
Fletcher Henderson
Oliver Lake!
Jay McShann!!!!!!!!!!

not jazz, but not bad, brian setzer :)

[hermann]

You named a lot I like too. Allthough I wish You could understand that I like to add the NDR-Bigband, the SWR-Bigband and of course Peter Herbolzheimer's Bigband.

[graypencil]

I'd just like to mention that Maria Schneiders new CD "Concert in the Garden" contains her best and most melodically moving work to date IMHO ...

other bands worth a mention :

John Fedchock
Dennis Mackrell
The Midlands Youth Big Band
Carl Saunders

[makpjazz57]

I don't know how I would have made it through my teen years with those wonderful Buddy Rich big band recordings -

Mercy, Mercy
Swingin' New Big Band
The New One
Keep The Customer Satisfied
Big Swing Face

Marla

[GodSpeliZed]

I'd certainly include ... Alan Silva's Celestrial Communications Orchestra (he maintains that they're not a big band, but tell that to half the players!), and Sam Rivers' various large ensembles...

THE SEASONS! Not a quiet band at all, at least in this live set, but great!

I'll vote for Sun Ra (unfortunately, I don't know very well the historical big bands.... mercy me)

[Tom K]

I'm missing Maria Schneider, Bob Florence, The London Jazz Composers' Orch., the George Gruntz Concert Band, the Italian Instabile, the Liberation Music Orch., and others.

[Bob Brookmeyer]

I think you missed one

[JiminHouston]

Unless I missed it, nobody mentioned Charlie Barnet!

[graypencil]

I think you missed one


ooops ..I thot I'd mentioned the NAO in a much earlier post ..

mea culpa ..

love "Waltzing with Zoe" ..awaiting the next one ..

[drumultima]

I picked a few, but I'd have to say Duke is my favorite out of all of them. I'm not sure what it is, but something about the style of his music and musicians that I've always found strangely appealing-- and apparently, many others have too.

[Ennis Snavely]

If not already mentioned:

Muhal's big band was great.

Bob Brookmeyer's NAO.

Bill Hollman, Carla Bley, Globe Unity, Maria Schnider all belong on the list as well.

I just picked up a new CD by Kim Richmond's big band, and it's got some pretty fine stuff.

I still need to get Phil's new CD.

[clinthopson]

Duke Ellington
Count Basie
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
Jimmy Lunceford
Toshiko Akyoshi
Woody Herman
Gil Evans
Fletcher Henderson
Artie Shaw
Benny Goodman

[nufuturejazz]

This was a tough one , but i voted on Gil Evans , have you heard his Out of the cool record? My God. I love it.

[frank m]

The Band that Reads the Blues.

Stonemonkts has described it accurately.Boring. :rolleyes:

[graypencil]

If
I still need to get Phil's new CD.



please do ..it'll help pay for the next one :D

www.bigbandjazz.net

or right here off my jazzcorner website!

(end of shameless plug ..)

[tristano's ghost]

In addition to those for whom I voted:
Artie Shaw
Claude Thornhill
Harlan Leonard
Gerald Wilson
Maria Schneider
Fletcher Henderson
Mulligan CJB
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Charles Tolliver Big Band

... and if only the Joe Henderson/Kenny Dorham BB had been able to record...

[wasabcl11]

What's with so few people voting for Goodman (I didn't though). He had one of the if not the best trumpet sections of all time and swang like heck.

[lazy]

Just wanted to mention Dizzy related big bands like the ones he led in the end of the forties and fifties and his united nations orchestra. This orchestra was inherited by Paquito D'rivera and his big band projects are also very good like the recent big band time from 2003.

[lazy]

I'll be glad if someone could write a short description of:
WDR big band
Vienna art orchestra
ICP

Who are they and what music are they playing?
Links to bio and discographies?

...and who the hell is Jackie Gleason?

:( Sorry for the ignorance :rolleyes:

[GoodSpeak]

Les Brown and His Band of Renown...you know, Sentimental Journey, Got My Love to Keep Me Warm?



How was he left off the list?











sheesh















:eek:

[lazy]

I'll be glad if someone could write a short description of:
WDR big band
Vienna art orchestra
ICP

Who are they and what music are they playing?
Links to bio and discographies?

...and who the hell is Jackie Gleason?

:( Sorry for the ignorance :rolleyes:

Thank you very much dear friends!... :mad:
Almost three weeks have passed and nobody replied?.. :confused:

[graypencil]

Thank you very much dear friends!... :mad:
Almost three weeks have passed and nobody replied?.. :confused:


WDR big band is a state supported German band ( based in Munich, as I recall) that plays with many American guest artists and composers ..fairly modern mainstream big band repertoire for the most part ..very good players.

However, if you like the more experimental things,The Vienna Art Orchestra, the ICP and LJCO ( London Jazz Composers Orch. ) would probably be of interest to you ..

for this more "out", I myself prefer the Boston based Either/Orchestra and the Italian Instabile Orch.

plus I am a really long time Carla Bley fan :D

[lazy]

WDR big band is a state supported German band ( based in Munich, as I recall) that plays with many American guest artists and composers ..fairly modern mainstream big band repertoire for the most part ..very good players.

However, if you like the more experimental things,The Vienna Art Orchestra, the ICP and LJCO ( London Jazz Composers Orch. ) would probably be of interest to you ..

for this more "out", I myself prefer the Boston based Either/Orchestra and the Italian Instabile Orch.

plus I am a really long time Carla Bley fan :D


Thank you for the info.
Me also like the music of Mrs Carla Bley.

[JazzAt52ndStreet]

I really dig Buddy Rich's big band.
Arturo Sandoval's and Chico Farell's can swing real hard too.

-Nate

[Wary]

How about George W. Bush and His Utter Failure-ables? Oh, yeah. Sweet. When Duh-ba figures out that the sax is for making music and not hitting poor old people with, the whole set comes alive!

[Dennis_M]

The problem with this poll is that it's hard to compare bands that lasted for 40 years, like Basie and Ellington, with bands that stayed together for far fewer years. I think a better question would be: What was the best ever big band when they were playing at their very best? Dizzy would be a competitor for that honor, but so would a bunch of others.....

[graypencil]

I just perused the poll list again, and a few oddities struck me in retrospect:

1. Clayton / Hamilton and Dave Holland BB are listed, but no Maria Schneider, Bob Florence, Bill Holman, or Brookmeyer NAO ??

2. What on earth is JACKIE GLEASON doing up there at all ?

[José Domingos Raffaelli]

The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band also was left off the list

[clinthopson]

And hiow about the J.C. Hopkins Biggish Band?

HUH?

[Freetoojazz]

20 choices & you forget Gerald Wilson? Shame on you.

You're right! They also forget one of my favorite, someone who works will Gil Evans. The Laurent Cugny Big Band Lumières. Listen the LP : DROMESKO. I nerver heard a big band with so much punch!!! :D

[GoodSpeak]

And hiow about the J.C. Hopkins Biggish Band?

HUH?

I likes them guys, too. :D

[Freetoojazz]

I recommand to everyone to listen the album title Dromesko. Cugny works a lot with Gil Evan. Cugny also works with Abbey Lincoln album It's Me.

I also enjoy the Dave Holland Big Band, especially the latest one call Overtime.

[GoodSpeak]

I recommend Phil Kelly's CONVERGENCE ZONE.


Excellent music and on any level of Jazz.

http://www.bigbandjazz.net/new-design/images/convergence_zone.jpg

[graypencil]

and in return, I recomment the J.C. Hopkins biggish band ..



( as well the smaller group CDs by Jazooo ( Doug Robinson )

[GoodSpeak]

Hey....it's all good :D

[Freetoojazz]

I don't know why i forget it. Jaco Pastorius Word of Mouth is one of my favorite! I suggest that you listen the disc call Twins. Amazing!

[RedJazz]

Unlisted bands which I think were outstands were:

Benny Carter

Boyd Raeburn

Claude Thornhill

Sauter-Finnegan

Billy May

Johnny Richards

Ray Anthony

Prez Prado

Carter swung as hard as Basie and in some ways I think his orchestrations were more inventive than Ellington's. Boyd Raeburn was more progressive than Kenton. Thornhill's was the ultimate cool big . Sauter Finnegan and May were among the first to employ multiple reeds which really opened up the tone colors of the big band and Ray Anthony and Prez Prado were among the last to have big band hit singles (discounting "cover" bands such as Warren Covington).

[Dr Dave]

Wait...which one of you doesn't know who Jackie Gleason is?

34 votes for Sun Ra and one guy who doesn't know who Jackie Gleason is. Isn't life amazing?

[graypencil]

Wait...which one of you doesn't know who Jackie Gleason is?

34 votes for Sun Ra and one guy who doesn't know who Jackie Gleason is. Isn't life amazing?


Nobody has YET explained how Gleason ever got into this poll in the first place!

[Dennis_M]

Nobody has YET explained how Gleason ever got into this poll in the first place!
The scary thing is that Gleason got three votes!

[Nate Dorward]

Why's it objectionable that Sun Ra got 34 votes? Seems clearly a major post-Ellington bandleader to me.

I find the presence of Dave Holland on the poll the oddest thing frankly: setting aside the question of how good his big band stuff is, there's the fact that when the poll was created he only had one big band album out. How he could even be in the running with people like Ellington, Basie, Sun Ra, &c--with their decades-long careers as big band leaders--on the strength of one disc is beyond me. Or even two such discs.

[graypencil]

I find the presence of Dave Holland on the poll the oddest thing frankly: setting aside the question of how good his big band stuff is, there's the fact that when the poll was created he only had one big band album out. How he could even be in the running with people like Ellington, Basie, Sun Ra, &c--with their decades-long careers as big band leaders--on the strength of one disc is beyond me. Or even two such discs.


This same observation also applies to Maria Schneider, Brookmeyer, Bill Holman, Bob Florence, and onther composer/arranger /leaders with multiple recordings out.

[Nate Dorward]

Yes, & Thad Jones/Mel Lewis &.... the list goes on! I thought What Goes Around was OK, haven't heard the new one, but in any case it's hardly enough to explain what Holland's name is doing nestled among all the names of dedicated big-band leaders.

[Felix]

Of those listed, I had to vote for Duke and Sun Ra, the ultimate bandleaders (I mean, did these guys actually sleep?).

[Hot Ptah]

What's with so few people voting for Goodman (I didn't though). He had one of the if not the best trumpet sections of all time and swang like heck.

I agree. If one played recordings of all of these bands in a Blindfold Test-like context, most listeners would probably place Benny's 1935-38 bands near the top. It's odd how he has dropped out of prominence in some listeners' minds.

[graypencil]

I agree. If one played recordings of all of these bands in a Blindfold Test-like context, most listeners would probably place Benny's 1935-38 bands near the top. It's odd how he has dropped out of prominence in some listeners' minds.


True Bennys bad was quite good ..but:

Chick Webbs band blew them off the stand!

[Scott Dolan]

I would have given my left nut to hear either of them in person!!

[Lazz]

Loose Tubes

[John P. Cooper]

Lots of good choices and mentions in this thread, yet no mention of the fantastic Tommy Dorsey band of 1940 - 1942/1945.

And - FWIW- with few exceptions, I have largely given up on big bands that do not have roots in the Swing era.

[graypencil]

Lots of good choices and mentions in this thread, yet no mention of the fantastic Tommy Dorsey band of 1940 - 1942/1945.

And - FWIW- with few exceptions, I have largely given up on big bands that do not have roots in the Swing era.

John:

All I can say is you're missing out on a lot of good music by being somewhat insular in your viewpoint.

[John P. Cooper]

John:

All I can say is you're missing out on a lot of good music by being somewhat insular in your viewpoint.

Hi GP-

I have been listening to big bands for years and that is my feeling. I just don't care for 'academic' charts that have no reason for being other than to exist.

[graypencil]

Hi GP-

I have been listening to big bands for years and that is my feeling. I just don't care for 'academic' charts that have no reason for being other than to exist.

just curious:

what constitutes in your subjective perception an "academic chart" ?

[John P. Cooper]

Loosely speaking - an "academic chart" would be an arrangement that comes from the head and not from the heart. Or an arrangement that merely showcases the skill of the arranger and not his soul.

BTW - Do you like the TD band of 1940 - 1942/45?

[graypencil]

Yes , I did like that band: Sy Oliver and Bill Finegan were very early influences and great arrangers.

I still find it hard to believe you find no "heart" in the work of Thad Jones, Bill Holman, Manny Albam, Al Cohn, and many others I could name ..

[John P. Cooper]

I remember Holman's work with Woody Herman as the Herd turned rock-ish. I didn't care for it. Same with his Kenton work.

I recall the TJ/ML band, but too long ago to have a specific comment except that I don't own any of the LPs any longer.

I have heard a fair amount of Manny Album charts, largely backing vocalists. I was basically unmoved.

I love Al Cohn's playing, but I have not heard his charts, to the best of my knowledge.

Sy Oliver with TD was a mastermind. I think Finegan came in the latter forties and that is when the Dorsey band began to become very homogenized and just too purposeless. 1946 is the last great year for TD and even then you could hear the changes. By 1947, he was headed in the direction that Basie found later himself in - a great sounding studio style band.

[blunote]

I voted for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra but for older groups, I'd have to give it to Basie.
Blunote

[pollo loco]

I picked Basie band.

[rocketjk]

Had to vote for Duke.

High on my list would be

Lewis/Jones
Eckstine
Haden's Liberation Orchestra
Carla Bley (this past year at Monterrey)
Gerald Wilson