Jazz Music Recommendations/Featured albums

Big Band Standards

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Category: Jazz Music Lounges
Forum Name: Jazz Music Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific jazz music albums
URL: http://www.JazzMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31569
Printed Date: 02 Jun 2024 at 3:11pm
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Topic: Big Band Standards

Posted By: InsaneEvilLogan
Subject: Big Band Standards
Date Posted: 07 May 2024 at 9:35am

Hi all! This is my first post on the forum and I'm sort of migratory bird from saxontheweb.com

I'm a Baritone saxophonist, been playing for about 3 years and going to college in a couple months. I feel like there are a plethora of people that call themselves intermediate but are well within the beginner category. At least in my opinion, I think an intermediate level player should be able to hang with other cats and make it through a gig comfortably. I would say I have just recently reached that level, but I absolutely know I have a ton more learning to do!

Which is actually the purpose of this post. My question is what are the biggest Big Band Jazz Standards that would be good to start learning over the summer to improve my big band chart reading ability, a very often used skill in college I've heard.

Some albums I've thought of in this vein are;

- Basie Straight Ahead

- The Atomic Mr. Basie

- Masterpieces by Ellington

- Gunslinging Birds - Mingus Big Band

Do yall have any more suggestions? I'm sort of looking for full albums but if you have specific songs or really just think Woody Herman as an artist deserves study or something, let me know! Thank you guysssss! :D

Replies:

Posted By: js
Date Posted: 07 May 2024 at 9:41am

I would check with the band leader at the school you are going to, he probably has things to recommend. You covered the classic with Ellington, Basie and Mingus. Dizzy Gillespie Big Band is another classic.

You might want to look into something current like Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Having said all that, my experience playing in big bands is somewhat limited, I'm a keyboard player and played some big band music in college, but nothing since then. When I was in school, college big bands were very much into Thad Jones and Mel Lewis.