Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society -][- Infernal Machines [New Amsterdam]

Tags

Big Band, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Jazz

As jazz enthusiasts, we often look to revamp our music collection but we’re also hesitant to financially make the sacrifice. With that said, this depiction of “Modern Big Band (Ensemble)” by Darcy James Argue should indeed satisfy your curiosity. Argue ingeniously explores this landscape with his inventive voice to shape a hybrid blend of jazz sprayed with shades of progressive rock poured onto the canvas of creative arrangements and intriguing sound effects keeps the music interesting. Although artistically challenging, “Infernal Machines” dances mysteriously through various stages as the songs burst feverishly around the outer-edge to awaken the itching ears of even the most discriminating music aficionado. —Rob Young | The Urban Flux

Darcy James Argue's Secret Society - Infernal Machines

Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society -][- Infernal Machines – [New Amsterdam, 2009]

I’d give this 10 stars if I could. Secret Society is the big band of Gil Evans’ dreams. The orchestration is creative and organic. The soloists emerge from the harmonic density as if crossing dimensions. The pulse is scrupulously maintained and emanates from deep within the ensemble. This is big band music that is symphonic in reach while firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. It is challenging to the ears but always accessible to those who listen. And listening closely delivers sonic rewards in quantity. Every selection is a finely polished gem. I give credit to Argue for including some of the best female musicians around. Ingrid Jensen on trumpet is impressive and Erica vonKleist performs one of the finest, most intuitive solos I’ve heard in years on Obsidian Flow, a fluttering, sensuous dance above a churning ensemble rich in color and energy. In short, Infernal Machines establishes a new standard for large jazz ensembles. Get this disc and listen to it with the best headphones you can find! —Richard Chapel | Amazon.com Review

Original Release Date: October 27, 2009

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

FRED HO & THE GREEN MONSTER BIG BAND

Tags

Big Band, FRED HO, Jazz, Saxophone

Release Their Debut Recording CELESTIAL GREEN MONSTER
February 9 on Mutable Records

Fred Ho and The Green Monster Big Band

A true Renaissance Man in every regard, saxophonist/composer/writer/survivor/activist Fred Ho and his latest ensemble, Fred Ho & The Green Monster Big Band’s upcoming release Celestial Green Monster (Mutable Music) presents iconic American themes recontextualized for the big band (Spiderman Theme, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida). Rooted in the traditions of Big Band Jazz while incorporating Ho’s panache for Asian and African influences, the recording features the fluid and explosive 18-piece ensemble also performing some of the leader’s distinctive compositions. As a recent cancer survivor, Ho sees The Green Monster Big Band reflecting his new path, “…to do the Impossible! To live an impossible life, to do the music and politics no one else can or will do!”

Quincy Jones | The Quintessence

Tags

African American, Big Band, Jazz, Producer, Quincy Jones, Trumpet

Quincy Jones | The Quintessence – [IMPULSE, 1961]

Quincy Jones - The Quintessence

A very soulful set of big band material from Quincy Jones — recorded during that tight early 60s period when his arrangements just couldn’t fail! The album’s his only session for Impulse, and it’s got a slightly deeper style than his work from the time for Mercury — a bit more sophisticated, with nice modern touches that take the tunes in surprising directions.

Part of the greatness of the set lies in the players — as the album features work by Curtis Fuller, Thad Jones, Stu Martin, Freddie Hubbard, Patty Brown, Phil Woods, and Jerome Richardson — and titles include “Robot Portrait”, “Hard Sock Dance”, “The Twitch”, and “For Lena & Lennie“. —Dusty Groove

..:: Source: Dusty Groove.com ::..

Tim Davies Big Band | Dialmentia

Tags

Big Band, Drums, Jazz, Tim Davies

Tim Davies nominated for Grammy Award – Best Instrumental Composition “COUNTING TO INFINITY”

Tim Davies Big Band | Dialmentia – [Origin Records, 2009]

“I am thrilled to witness today the growth of this emerging young leader of tomorrow’s music.” –John Clayton

Tim Davies Big Band - Dialmentia

Los Angeles-based Australian drummer Tim Davies formed his first big band in 1998 in Melbourne and in 2000, his second when he relocated to the U.S. Grounded in the traditional, his music adds elements of rock, metal and hip hop, creating a blend that is truly unique.

“Dialmentia” is all that and more as Davies explores all possibilities in his compositions with surprising grooves and instrumentation, performed by some of the top session and jazz players in L.A. Besides his work with his band, Davies is an in-demand composer, arranger, orchestrator and conductor for film, TV, and recordings.

..:: Source: Origin-Records.com ::..

Roy Hargrove Big Band | Emergence

Tags

African American, Big Band, Jazz, Trumpet

Roy Hargrove Big Band | Emergence [Groovin’ High/Emarcy, 2009]

Roy Hargrove

You’ve got to wonder what kind of musician would even think to take a 19-piece band into the studio and out on the road, especially with the nation’s current economic condition, That kind of musician would be Roy Hargrove, the veteran jazz trumpeter and composer whose first big band album, Emergence (Groovin’ High/Emarcy), is released August 25th. “At this point this is probably the worst thing I could ever do, financially speaking,” admits Hargrove. “But it’s something that needs to be done, spiritually and musically speaking.”

Gordon Goodwin/Big Phat Band | Act Your Age

Tags

Big Band, Jazz

Jazz fans if you’re looking for musical spontaneity at it’s best, then Gordon Goodwin will do your ears justice!

Gordon Goodwin/Big Phat Band | Act Your Age [Hip Big Band/Jazz]

Gordon Goodwin

For the fourth recorded edition of his Big Phat Band, Grammy-winning Gordon Goodwin in “Act Your Age” continues to display dynamic big band writing executed with complete aplomb. A bevy of guest soloists is on display in tracks by the accomplished pianists Chick Corea and Dave Grusin, vocalist Patti Austin, and guitarist Lee Ritenour, who is also the producer of the CD. In addition, Goodwin illustrates his genuine appreciation of the legacy of the enduring jazz masters in the intriguing, cutting edge re-recording by Art Tatum of “Yesterday” , which is surrounded by his modern chart of the Jerome Kern classic tune. Goodwin’s bow to the recent past is his version of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”, dressed in brand new clothes and arranged in a shuffle rhythm.