Big Band

GoodSpeak · April-3rd-2005, 11:46 PM

My parents turned me on to Jazz by way of their Big Band LPs and through their love of music.

Their favorites were the Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman [my Father's favorite], Les Brown and his Band of Renown, Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd and Harry James.

I am certain there were others.

I dedicate this thread to the Big Bands and the Swing Era.

Tell us your story here.

TimMc

chuckyd4 · April-4th-2005, 12:01 AM

While always just a bit outside (and sometimes far outside) of straight-up big band/swing/pop music of the era, it would be impossible to imagine that time in American music without the one and only Duke.

Talk about concerts you wish you could go back in time for- Fargo, ND in late 1940.... probably the only reason I can imagine wanting to go to North Dakota.

Ron Thorne · April-4th-2005, 01:49 AM

I've enjoyed each of the big bands you listed in your first post, Tim. Woody Herman's band was probably my favorite in that grouping. Also, from that era, Artie Shaw and Duke Ellington's bands.

Others among my favorites:

Thad Jones/Mel Lewis
Herb Pomeroy
Gerald Wilson
Mingus Big Band
Don Ellis
WDR Big Band (Europe)

I had great fun playing in big bands in high school and college. It's demanding and completely different in many ways from small ensemble work, but challenging and rewarding.

Jimmy Cantiello · April-4th-2005, 07:47 AM

I've been listening to a great big band album lately. it's called "Convergence Zone". The band is called " The Prevailing Winds" It's led by a guy named Phil Kelly. Maybe you've heard of him.............

Dr Dave · April-4th-2005, 10:49 AM

Jimmie Lunceford's bands were incredible. There's about a minute of footage of a Lunceford band in the Ken Burns thing; made the whole series worthwhile, as far as I was concerned.

And I can say that seeing the Mingus Big Band in action is just about the most fun a person can have other than actually being in the Mingus Big Band. (John Stubblefield--hope you're feeling better, man)

clinthopson · April-4th-2005, 12:05 PM

I grew up during ther big band era and listened to the radio remotes of all of them,, Goodman, Dorsey, Shaw, Ellington, Basie, Herman, Miller and more.

When I was in high school, we went to the Palladium and the Rendezvous in Balboa and saw the Dorsey Brothers, Billy May, Ellington, Basie, Ray Anthony, Harry James, Woody, Kenton and Elliott Lawrence.

Inthe last 20 years or so I saw all the big bands I could who came to our part of the country - Jones/Lewis, Gerald Wilson, Juggernaut, Toshiko, Mingus Big Band, Woody, Basie and too many others to recall. A few years ago they had a big bands festival "Blowing Up A Storm" in Long Beach where, over a three day weekend, they had about 20 big bands plus panel discussions including a very, very candid one with Artie Shaw.

Of course amongst the JCers I can't neglect Phil Kelly's band's disc and those by Bob Brookmeyer.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention two other bands - the Bloviation Big Band and J.C. Hopkins' Biggish Band.

I love big bands. Just love 'em.

José Domingos Raffaelli · April-4th-2005, 12:06 PM

My first contact with jazz and American popular music was hearing the great big bands from the Swing Era: Goodman, Miller, Dorsey, Shaw, Lunceford, James, Herman, Barnet, Krupa, Basie and many others. Of course, Ellington was a world apart and his music intrigued me because it was so different from the others. I was a teen ager and the time was the early forties, even before bebop was known in my country (Brasil). Fist time I heard Stan Kenton was around 1946/47 and I considered his fitst records very strange (especially "Sonambulism", "Concerto to end all concertos" and so).
I collected records of all big bands I could. In the mid fifties I had almost 1.000 big bands LPs.

Concerning the modern idiom, many of them were mentioned. My favorits are both Dizzy Gillespie bands (1946/47 and 1956/57), Mulligan Concert Jazz Band, Thad Jones-Mel Lewis, Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland, George Gruntz and George Russell.

lazy · April-4th-2005, 03:12 PM

Is this thread only about swing era big bands?

I love big bands generally but not only the swing bands. Hope this is a general thread and guys like Gruntz, Nelson, Dauner and girls like Bley, Toshiko and Schneider can be mentioned.

GoodSpeak · April-4th-2005, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazy

Is this thread only about swing era big bands?

I love big bands generally but not only the swing bands. Hope this is a general thread and guys like Gruntz, Nelson, Dauner and girls like Bley, Toshiko and Schneider can be mentioned.

I figure any Big Band would be just fine...Clint already mentioned a couple bands which are touring/recording today.

I would be remiss myself if I didn't mention my childhood friend's band Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

Ron Thorne · April-4th-2005, 04:36 PM

Hey, Jimmy, thanks for saving my bacon. DUH. I also love Phil Kelly & The Prevailing Northwest Winds.

Also forgot to include my fondness for the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band.

Bob Brookmeyer has many memorable big band recordings, too.

graypencil · April-4th-2005, 05:56 PM

Jimmy /Ron :

Thanks for the props guys! .busily at work on #2

( uhhh ,,CD , that is ..not constipated )

Don't forget the classic Mulligan CJB! The Mosaic Box set is played very often here in the Beaglehaus!

GoodSpeak · April-4th-2005, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

I've been listening to a great big band album lately. it's called "Convergence Zone". The band is called " The Prevailing Winds" It's led by a guy named Phil Kelly. Maybe you've heard of him.............

Graypencil is the same guy?

Nobody tells me anything around here.

sheesh.

Dr Dave · April-4th-2005, 06:17 PM

I saw one of Carla Bley's big bands at Berklee, must have been 1979? They were terrific, and also, since it was Carla Bley, hilarious. I remember they opened with "Can't Get My Motor To Start" (sample lyric: "Bring that beer over here/'Cause I need it to steer") and at some point did "Boo To You To" (sample lyric: "You make 'em boo on cue!/They say "boo"/And we say "boo to you, too!"). The ultimate audience-participation number.

Mike Schwartz · April-4th-2005, 08:41 PM

Double, no TRIPLE SHEESH!!!

[Goody]Have you been hiding under a rock or something?

Fact is you sat directly next to Matt Jorgensen from Origin records, and 'da_pencil's name and CD came up that day;-))

graypencil · April-4th-2005, 09:07 PM

earth to Goodie:

www.philkellymusic.com

right here behind the JC sax icon above!

double triple secret probation sheeeeeeeeeeeesh!!!

Lois Gilbert · April-5th-2005, 12:48 AM

Quadruple sheesh...

steve(thelil) · April-5th-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

I've been listening to a great big band album lately. it's called "Convergence Zone". The band is called " The Prevailing Winds" It's led by a guy named Phil Kelly. Maybe you've heard of him.............

Dynamite Record. Hasn't been out of the 5CD changer since I bought it.

clinthopson · April-5th-2005, 11:32 AM

Sheeshamondo!

GoodSpeak · April-5th-2005, 01:43 PM

OK, okay...I get the message.

Graypencil= Phil Kelly, of course!

The names are so similar.

GoodSpeak · April-5th-2005, 01:59 PM

GP,

I'll make it up to you by purchasing the CD

graypencil · April-5th-2005, 06:37 PM

Thanks Goodie ..I think you'll like it ..

get it from my website.. so the Jazz Cares folks can get a taste as well ..

Monte Smith · April-5th-2005, 08:21 PM

I grew up with a Woody Herman freak for a dad.

"Ah....your father's mustache."

April-5th-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodSpeak

OK, okay...I get the message.

Graypencil= Phil Kelly, of course!

The names are so similar.

From now on, pay attention young man. Or yer outta here!!!!

April-5th-2005, 08:43 PM

Hey Grayp, what's with that yellow font on a pink background at the bottom of your page?

Is it just me, or is that damn near impossible to read?

graypencil · April-5th-2005, 08:57 PM

Scott:

it's supposed to be some sort of big band web ring deal that someone suggested I get into for possible gigs ..so far, my mileage has varied not greatly ..not only have there been no gigs, I dunno whathf***k a webring IS!

and you're right ..it IS unreadable!

kenny weir · April-5th-2005, 09:06 PM

After placing an order last week, Convergence Zone landed on my desk this morning. Sounding good!

GoodSpeak · April-5th-2005, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graypencil

Thanks Goodie ..I think you'll like it ..

get it from my website.. so the Jazz Cares folks can get a taste as well ..

Can do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

From now on, pay attention young man. Or yer outta here!!!!

Geez.

Tough room.

Ron Thorne · April-5th-2005, 10:04 PM

We expect a full review after spinning Convergence Zone a few times, Goody.

If you don't dig it, I'll suggest what a former JC poster might have suggested ... "get a new ear trumpet."

GoodSpeak · April-5th-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

We expect a full review after spinning Convergence Zone a few times, Goody.

You got it!

The order form said it'd be 2-4 weeks, so give me some time, OK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

If you don't dig it, I'll suggest what a former JC poster might have suggested ... "get a new ear trumpet."

Hey, if it's Big Band, I will have no trouble getting into it I am certain

HLJ · April-5th-2005, 10:24 PM

Had a chanc to see Count Basie Big Band with Joe Williams live in Milwaukee.Basie Big Band my all-time fav.I'm feeling LCJO now.Peace and all that