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Article: Big Band Report

Buddy Rich: In a Zone of His Own

by Jack Bowers
February 10, 2013

One of the channels that came with my Dish Network package is Classic Arts Showcase, which is a treasure trove of film clips documenting classical, ballet, folk, pop and other forms of music that one is unlikely to see anywhere else (although some footage is presumably available on YouTube, which more and more seems to encompass ...

Article: Big Band Report

Dave Brubeck: Small Groups, Large Stature

by Jack Bowers
January 3, 2013

Dave Brubeck wasn't really a big-band kinda guy; in fact, he was seldom seen in groups larger than four or five. On the other hand, he was an extraordinary musician, one whose influence will no doubt be felt for generations to come. Brubeck, who remained active almost to the end of his life, died December 5 ...

Article: Album Review

Harold Mabern: Mr. Lucky

Read "Mr. Lucky" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
December 21, 2012

Harold Mabern brings his happy, blues-oriented piano to bear on this upbeat homage to the great entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. Of the nine songs on the album, only two--Mabern's buoyant original, “Soft Shoe Trainin' with Sammy," and Henry Mancini's title tune--weren't closely associated with Davis. On the other hand, Mr. Lucky seems a rather peculiar name ...

Article: Big Band Caravan

Albert–Hobbs Big Band / Jeff Hamilton–DePaul University Jazz Ensemble / Steve Taylor Big Band

by Jack Bowers
December 11, 2012

Dave Albert--Brian Hobbs Big Band Love Remembered Eidolon Records 2012 What a bold and unusual idea, opening a big-band album with a waltz performed by a trio. The Albert-Hobbs Big Band does exactly that with “For Mr. C," one of several dedications on its debut recording, Love ...

Article: Big Band Report

After 15 Years, a "Caravan" Ends Its Journey

by Jack Bowers
December 11, 2012

For nearly fifteen years now, I've been writing two monthly columns here at All About Jazz: this one (Big Band Report) and Big Band Caravan. That is about to change. Starting next month, the two will be pared down to one inclusive column using as its title Big Band Report. So rather than searching the AAJ ...

Article: Big Band Caravan

R3: Special Big Band / Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra / Empire Jazz Orchestra

by Jack Bowers
November 17, 2012

R3: Special Big BandR3Summit Records2012 The “R3" in this Brazilian-based band's name refers to brothers Rafael, Renato and Roger Rocha who together comprise its heart and soul. The “Special" pertains to just about everything else on this impressive debut album. Indeed, there could be even more “R's" in ...

Article: Big Band Report

Did Stan Kenton Swing? You Bet Your Walkin' Shoes He Did...

by Jack Bowers
November 16, 2012

I've been listening to a lot of Stan Kenton's music recently while coming to grips with the age-old question, did the Kenton orchestra really swing? The answer, to me, is a no-brainer: Yes, Kenton swung. Liberally and often. [Note: This of course depends on how “swinging" is defined; opinions may vary]. In his own way--although he'd ...

Article: Big Band Report

Stars on the Horizon

by Jack Bowers
October 8, 2012

Even before Groovin' Hard, the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's latest foray into the world of contemporary jazz, kicked off its four-day run (October 11-14) at the Marriott LAX Hotel, a letter arrived from LAJI director Ken Poston announcing details of next May's extravaganza, also at the Marriott. The theme is Big Band Spectacular, and the bands ...

Article: Big Band Caravan

Bob Mintzer Big Band / Bob Wilber and the Tuxedo Big Band / Joe Chambers Moving Pictures Orchestra

by Jack Bowers
October 7, 2012

Bob Mintzer Big BandFor the MomentMCG Jazz2012 Anyone who has followed Bob Mintzer's career knows that the multi-talented saxophonist / educator has always had a special place in his heart for music from south of the border (he even recorded a big-band album, Latin from Manhattan, back in ...

Article: Big Band Caravan

Kris Berg & the Metroplexity Big Band / Michael Treni Big Band / Millennium Jazz Orchestra

by Jack Bowers
September 9, 2012

Kris Berg & the Metroplexity Big BandThis Time / Last YearMAMA Records2012 Until now, bassist / educator Kris Berg, who oversees the Jazz Studies program at Collin College near Dallas, TX, has been widely known and respected as someone who writes and arranges songs for others to play. ...