Swinging big band jazz and vocals, great soloists, and excellently recorded. This cd is a refreshing mix of staight ahead big band music that is sure to keep your toes tapping and put a smile on your face.

11 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Big Band, JAZZ: Swing/Big Band



Details:
When mention is made of the âBig Band Eraâ, people tend to think of the bands of the 1940âs that were so popular then. Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey were all household names, with new recordings sweeping the airwaves and record players of the nation on a weekly basis. Certainly this was a golden age for the big bands in terms of the number of bands working and the sheer quantity of musicians employed.

For me, however, the true âgolden ageâ of big band music started in the 1960âs. The bands of Harry James, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson and the like began playing a looser kind of swing, with more emphasis on jazz and more room for individual soloists to express themselves. At the same time, vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, and June Christy were being featured with these bands. This collaboration of voice and big band is nowhere more finely showcased than on the incredible 1966 Reprise recording, âSinatra at the Sands,â with the Count Basie Orchestra.

This is the music that has fueled my passion as a trumpet player and band leader since I first picked up the horn. As the leader of Swing Session, it is immensely satisfying to perform music in the genre of these bands and vocalists that I have enjoyed so much. If you like your big band music to swing hard, featuring vocals with words you can actually understand, and have some great individual soloists as well, then without reservation I recommend With Thanks To My Friends.

Jim Kerl
Swing Session Big Band



All the way from the drummer to the singers, Swing Session lives up to its nameâit can really swing! The arrangements are well written and performed with amazing excitement and energy. The ensemble is tight and the solos are inspired. This is no sleepy âold schoolâ big band album. This band is on fire! With Thanks To My Friends is a great listen and I highly recommend it.

Bill Gibson
Engineer/Producer/Author