The coolest big band you've ever listened to?

Kwesi · #1 10-07-2008, 09:04 PM

Hey mods, if you don't mind could you delete my thread of the same title in the Misc. Forums? I think it fits better here.

Anywho...

Here is, in my opinion the coolest big band ever: http://www.myspace.com/thethrilljp

For those of you who, like me dig anime, these guys did the Blue Submarine No. 6 OST which is right up there with Cowboy Bebop for best soundtracks ever. But, I figure there have got to be other big bands out there that stretch the boundaries of what there name suggests, so what's out there?

bitethisbullet · #2 10-08-2008, 02:42 AM

I'm not really sure what I'd call that, but I wouldn't call it big band. The horns have more of a fast blues feel. The guitars sound like they're playing some rock riffs to the bass laying down a funk line. It's not bad, but it's definitely different. To be honest it sounds like sound track music, I'm not trying to be derogatory; It just seems like it should be accompanying a visual element to progress a story.

If you're looking for something w/ more of a big band feel look at the Brian Setzer Orchestra or Royal Crown Revue. Of course, if you want real big band sound look at the originals, Artie Shaw, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, ad infinitum.

-Johnny

bass71 · #3 10-08-2008, 03:06 AM

Again not really a " big band", but I was lucky enough to see the funky Mr James Brown a few years back at an open air fest, and WOW! that band were just the grooviest tightest thing i ever heard, horns, brass, two of everything, including bassists......and an MD!.... it was spine tingling.

Bruce Lindfield · #4 10-08-2008, 03:21 AM

Dave Holland's big band has been pretty cool...?

I saw Tim Garland's Northern Underground big band who were great - he even commissioned young composers to write a big band arrangement of tunes "in the style of Steely Dan" - they were wonderful!!

JimK · #5 10-08-2008, 04:38 AM

Agree with Holland (new 6-tet album just released) & Garland.

Gil Evans' Big Bands are "cool"...OK, pun intended.

For something "odd"-
Don Ellis' BB.

Vincent P · #6 10-08-2008, 04:47 AM

Brian Setzer Orchrestra.

SwamiRob · #7 10-08-2008, 04:49 AM

I don't really know anything about Jazz unfortunately, but the best big band I ever heard was when I swa the last live recording of Humphrey Lyttelton on BBC on a night dedicated to him after he died. Was playing trumpet when he was 86 and doing a really good job, only hit a few noticeable bum notes to my ear, really talented guy and really cool in general.

markkoelsch · #8 10-08-2008, 05:03 AM

Frank Zappa and his band from "The Best Band You Never Heard". A truly great band playing some killer music.

Mark

megadan · #9 10-08-2008, 06:49 AM

The Budos Band, for sure.

Twistad · #10 10-08-2008, 06:59 AM

Check out Charles Mingus and Don Ellis, slightly more out stuff but amazing nonetheless.

Kwesi · #11 10-08-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitethisbullet

I'm not really sure what I'd call that, but I wouldn't call it big band. The horns have more of a fast blues feel. The guitars sound like they're playing some rock riffs to the bass laying down a funk line. It's not bad, but it's definitely different. To be honest it sounds like sound track music, I'm not trying to be derogatory; It just seems like it should be accompanying a visual element to progress a story.

If you're looking for something w/ more of a big band feel look at the Brian Setzer Orchestra or Royal Crown Revue. Of course, if you want real big band sound look at the originals, Artie Shaw, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, ad infinitum.

-Johnny

That's kind of the point

lunarpollen · #12 10-08-2008, 12:15 PM

As far as currently-existing big bands go, I'd have to say Ondrej Havelka & his Melody Makers

I have a lot of video clips of them saved in my favorites on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/profile_favor...er=lunarpollen

Gubna · #13 10-08-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markkoelsch

Frank Zappa and his band from "The Best Band You Never Heard". A truly great band playing some killer music.

Mark

+1

mdiddium · #14 10-08-2008, 12:28 PM

So, in other words, you are looking for something hip that has a big band instrumentation but not the "traditional" big band sound, right?

RE: Zappa - you have to check out The Grand Wazoo album, it's great. EDIT: Add Make a Jazz Noise here to that as well. But I could go on and on about Zappa.
RE: Dave Holland - definitely utilizes some great harmonic and rhythmic innovation in a "big bandy" feel.

I would also recommend the Gordon Goodwin Phat Band. They can do traditional, but they can do modern, too. Great arrangements, tons of energy, and overall a cool listen.

Other than that, I suggest you dig deeper into the traditional big bands. There is a ton of great stuff besides swing which could really broaden your tastes. Check out some Stan Kenton, Quincy Jones, and Thad Jones arrangements.

EDIT: Also, check out this pretty hip octet out of Philly: http://www.myspace.com/highbridjazz

I saw them play live and was pretty blown away.

JimK · #15 10-09-2008, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdiddium

So, in other words, you are looking for something hip that has a big band instrumentation but not the "traditional" big band sound, right?

I think you're right...most of the bands mentioned are "big bands"...not Big Bands.

Examples of Big Bands that are NOT 'traditional Jazz' (in the Ellington, Mel Lewis/Thad Jones, Buddy Rich vibe)-
>Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
>Vienna Art Orchestra
>New Eternal Rhythm Orchestra (Don Cherry)
>Peter Brotzman Chicago Tentet
>William Parker and the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra

..."cool" for me are the Big Bands that integrate Jazz with Modern Classical.
Mingus' Epitaph would also be an example.

The Budos Band (whom I really like)...a Big Band?!

Bruce Lindfield · #16 10-09-2008, 05:15 AM

Radio 3 on the BBC normally devotes its "Composer of the Week" to classical figures like Bach,Beethoven etc.

Last week they had Charlie Mingus and they played Epitaph - how cool is that!!!???

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dpq00

Evan_S._Brown · #17 10-09-2008, 05:32 AM

+1 on Dave Holland big band

my favourite big band is the Bob Curnow big band.
All they do are Pat Metheny covers and they play his solos and everything.
heaps of fun

cb56 · #18 10-09-2008, 05:35 AM

+1 Don Ellis

DWBass · #19 10-09-2008, 05:49 AM

GRP Super Band
Maynard Ferguson's Big Band efforts
Jazzkantine

cbass1 · #20 10-09-2008, 05:58 AM

RCR baby !!! the Royal Crown Revue is just awesome, everytime they come within two states of me I go see them. They are just awesome. Although the Count is not longer on the Bass. That guy rocked !!