Big Band / Swing - CD Reviews (348)
I really liked this new big band album from the Tony Gairo-Gary Rissmiller Jazz Orchestra. Bands like this, containing relatively unknown musicians, seem to be springing up…
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For those looking for drummer, Buddy Rich, at his finest, this CD collection ranks among his best efforts, and is a classic for jazz drum performances. These performance…
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In 2005, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra detonated a brilliant effort of pure untarnished swing as they released TNT - A Tommy Newsom Tribute from Diva Jazz Lightyear. Wi…
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The disc starts off with "Just Among Friends," a spry, lively tune, written by Beaudoin and featuring some compelling solos by Bucky Pizzarelli and Billy Novick. Followi…
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When reviewing a jazz release by an all-female band, it’s difficult to resist the urge to make at least some passing comment on the gender issue, and rather than try to …
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In My Time, the new release from the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, is a different kind of big band album. It is more than simply music - it is genius personifie…
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Director Susie Jones must be proud of her festival-winning bands at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, and justifiably so. The current edition is just back from…
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These guys can really jive and wail. Led by bassist Dave Post and featuring alto saxophonist, Buddy Terry, who played with huge names such as Ray Charles, Count Basie, A…
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One of the jazz world’s best known arrangers, Ernie Wilkins (1919-1999) was born in Saint Louis where he and his childhood pal Clark Terry gigged as teenagers. It was Clark…
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It should be mentioned up front that this is almost the same band that Woody Herman brought to the Everest studios in September 1958. Chubby Jackson was part of many of Her…
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Easy As It Gets is the fourth CD by John Sheridan’s Dream Band. In typical fashion, Sheridan digs deep into the archives of his own memory and comes up with an in…
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After hearing the opening track, a rendition of Benny Carter's "Miss Missouri" that is so by-the-numbers and competent to the point of sterility, one could be excused fo…
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The nostalgic swing music of the 30s and 40s is making a come back of sorts in a new release from the Divine Art label based in the United Kingdom. The new album is titl…
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21 Jul
Canadian Composers Profiles: Phil Nimmons by Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra featuring Phil Nimmons
Canadian Composers Profiles: Phil Nimmons is the product of the Canadian Music Centre's Centrediscs label. The CMC supports Canadian composers by loaning works an…
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Rare Footage of Elder, Undiminished Buddy RichThe Lost Tapes was originally recorded and broadcast in 1985 when Buddy Rich was 67 years old. It was …
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A fixture at Jazz At Pearls in San Francisco every Monday night for over a decade, The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra led by saxophonist/bandleader, Alex Budman, have just …
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Up and At 'Em: Early Victor Electric Hot Dance Bands 1925 - 1927 documents the early jazz era, that seminal time when jazz was becoming America's official "pop mu…
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Benny Goodman (b. 1909 Chicago, d. 1986 New York) was born into a large, poor, Russian-Jewish family in Chicago. His remarkable skills as a musician and band-lead…
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Charlie Byrd (1925-1999) is, perhaps, better known for his recordings with Stan Getz and the gems turned out with Herbie Ellis and Barney Kessel. All but the closest follow…
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Unit Eleven is a small band with a big sound, based in Italy's South Tyrol region, founded by saxophonist Helga Plankensteiner and pianist/composer Michael Lösch in 2001. W…
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