Clarinettist and saxophonist Woody Herman led an ensemble in the mid 1930s that was known as “The Band That Plays The Blues”, before having a hit with “Woodchopper’s Ball” in 1939, which went on to sell five million copies. Duke first rose to prominence with a residency at the Cotton Club in Harlem, where he led an 11-piece band, beginning in 1927 and, altogether, he ran his Orchestra for an incredible 51 years, from 1923 until his death in 1974. His band in the mid-late ‘30s included players like tenor saxophonist Lester Young, guitarist Freddie Green, drummer Jo Jones and vocalists Helen Hume and Jimmy Rushing, and played in a Kansas City “jam session” style, with competitive soloing accompanied by riff-based accompaniments. Kenton was an ambitious band leader, and would often work in concepts for his orchestra. In the 1940’s his Artistry In Rhythm band with its Afro-Cuban style writing and influences from the classical world of Stravinsky and Bartók would be a huge success, to be followed by his Concerts in Progressive Jazz Orchestra.

As bebop emerged in the 1940s Herman embraced the new music, hiring Dizzy Gillespie to write some arrangements for his first big band, which he called The First Herd. One of his biggest hits was “Sing, Sing Sing”, a classic big band song, with long, exposed solos for clarinet and drums. Key Benny Goodman recording: The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert Cuban Fire is notable for its integration of Latin American influences, particularly Afro-Cuban styles, into the big band format. If you missed the Top 100 Greatest Songs countdown on Absolute 90s throughout the week, Ben Burrell will be recapping the entire Top 40 from 7pm on Monday night (31st August) on Absolute Radio. Listen to Absolute Radio Credits mislabelled on outside as Gemma; should say Gemma J; interior title is wrong, credits on interior are correctThis classic big band album from 1958 features compositions and arrangements by Neal Hefti, brilliantly played by the Second Testament edition of the Count Basie Orchestra. Now utilising more complex charts provided by outside arrangers like Neal Hefti, Sammy Nestico and Quincy Jones, they developed an instinctively-recognisable sound. published on 2016-03-10T20:28:25Z DJ Luciano - I Find U Tonight ( Preview from the new album, Stronger ) Dizzy Gillespie was an innovator in the bebop style of the 1940s, which had a focus on serious small group jazz, after the arguably more populist material of the swing era. Third Time’s The Charm features Protoje applying his lyrical flair, his ear for lingering hooks, and his ability to marshal first-rate talent, all in an effort to cap his “Time Trilogy” on the highest possible note. Producers like iotosh, Cadenza, and ZIAH .PUSH are at the helm, blending inspiration from various corners of Reggae, R&B, and hip-hop to supply Protoje with firm ground on which to parade flashes of wonder. As time flows on, he sounds more aware of the forces pulling him down, and of all the blessings keeping him afloat.

It got some traction there, but the real traction came a week later when my friend sent me a post from Facebook of a kid who asked his mom for Big Chungus.

DJ Zinc – Pranksters

Featuring tenor saxophone giant Ben Webster and double bass pioneer Jimmy Blanton, it recorded classic numbers like “In a Mellow Tone”, “Cotton Tail”, “Never No Lament” and “C Jam Blues” in the early 1940s, which all remain part of the jazz standard repertoire today.

Contains a sample of "Do You Know" written by Shep Soloman & Michelle Gayle & a sample of "Children" written by Roberto Concina (Robert Miles); original concept by BCD Project

Notes

Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Our lives are measured in years and decades. We wither and die. Chungus is eternal. Before it, we are nothing. Over the years, Kranium has stretched the limits of his supple melodies, fitting them as easily to the grooves of American R&B or Afrobeats as to those birthed in his native Jamaica. On In Too Deep, he cycles through that range of styles, shifting easily through the party-ready Wi Deh Yah, the streetwise Paranoid, and the rootsy love song Early In The Morning. Whether intimate or observational, the songs by the Montego Bay artist are furnished with the same magnetic polish. This album pushed the boundaries of what was traditionally considered big band music, with its complex, dissonant harmonies and unconventional structures. It’s a testament to Kenton’s willingness to explore and experiment within the genre. Thad had played with the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1950s, contributing solos and arrangements to some of the band’s best-loved albums.

There would be many such concept bands over the coming decades, the ambitious 39-piece Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra complete with string section in the early fifties, and the highly acclaimed 1953 album N ew Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm. For many, the Count Basie Orchestra, with its vibrato-drenched, deeply swinging sound, is the quintessential sound of big band music. Schneider has pioneered the crowdfunding model, which allows her to raise funds to record expensive large ensemble albums independently through online pre-sales. The instrumental lineup of a big band will vary from ensemble to ensemble, but is typically composed of around 17 musicians, divided into four sections:Over the summer I sent it to another friend, he thought it was hilarious, so I made Big Chungus 2, then 3, and so on. She won a Grammy for the band’s 2016 collaboration with David Bowie, the single “Sue (Or In A Season of Crime)”, and the Orchestra continues to tour extensively. It plays a week-long residency every year for Thanksgiving at the Jazz Standard in New York. Recommended Maria Schneider Orchestra album: Concert in the Garden