Favorite Big Band Leader

[Mirror Image]

Vote your three big band favorites.

[Mirror Image]

For me, the choice was easy: Stan Kenton, Ellington, and Gil Evans.

[KevinP]

Ellington and Basie were easy. For the third I went with Thad Jones. The first two are constant, but the third choice could change easily. 

[Sergeant Rock]

No "other" choice?

Sarge

[Todd]

Duke Ellington by a dozen country miles, then Basie and Shaw.

[Gurn Blanston]

I went with the 2 obvious choices (Ellington & Basie) and the third was really hard, since I was looking more at Swing than Jazz. I ended up with the only vote so far for Glenn Miller, and that was based more on just liking their music than anything about himself. Either of the Dorsey brothers or Artie Shaw would have probably served equally well.

[Leo K.]

Harry James and his Orchestra is my favorite.

[Sergeant Rock]

Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Les Brown and His Band of Renown.

Sarge

[bigshot]

Cab Calloway. He had arguably the best group of musicians ever in a single band.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Wait, are we stretching things to include Charles Mingus's larger ensemble work or are we talking about Mingus Big Band, which is a contemporary ensemble not related to Charles Mingus?

If the former I wouldn't exactly consider that big band, at least as I've always known it. If the latter I can't comment as I haven't heard them.

[Mirror Image]

Wait, are we stretching things to include Charles Mingus's larger ensemble work or are we talking about Mingus Big Band, which is a contemporary ensemble not related to Charles Mingus?

If the former I wouldn't exactly consider that big band, at least as I've always known it. If that latter I can't comment as I haven't hear them.

You're right. I thought Mingus led his own big band at one point. I guess not. Mingus is off the list.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

You're right. I thought Mingus led his own big band at one point. I guess not. Mingus is off the list.

Nothing like Mingus in that sub-group of big band, though: the augmented band!

[Mirror Image]

Nothing like Mingus in that sub-group of big band, though: the augmented band!

[Bogey]

Goodman....Miller.....

I also like fiding recordings of the lesser mentioned, like

Red Nichols and His Five Pennies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMSbryXNLZY

Tom Talbert and his Orchestra

or might we include Horace Henderson and His Orchestra?

This could be a fun thread!

[Mirror Image]

Goodman....Miller.....

I also like fiding recordings of the lesser mentioned, like

Red Nichols and His Five Pennies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMSbryXNLZY

Tom Talbert and his Orchestra

or might we include Horace Henderson and His Orchestra?

This could be a fun thread!

There's many that I left out, but I tried to think of the all the "big" ones. I did leave out the Dorsey brothers and come to think of it, Gene Krupa. I don't really know why I made these omissions.

[Hollywood]

My top three choices are Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Number one for me has always been Glenn Miller since I first heard his music back when I was 8 years old. At the end of this month my husband and I are going to the Konzerthaus here in Vienna, Austria to hear a concert titled "Glenn Miller and the Swing Era" performed by Tony Jagitsch and his big band orchestra. I can't wait. 

[Sergeant Rock]

There's many that I left out, but I tried to think of the all the "big" ones.

Les Brown's band was one the "biggest" in terms of popularity, one of the most famous even after the Swing Era ended (through many TV appearances in the 50s and 60s) and one of the longest lived. He led the Band of Renown for 63 years! 1938-2001 (and led the percursor Blue Devils from 1932-38). His son, Les Brown Jr., is still leading it. Brown is credited with the early success of Doris Day. He definitely belongs on the list.

Sarge

[Bogey]

Les Brown's band was one the "biggest" in terms of popularity, one of the most famous even after the Swing Era ended (through many TV appearances in the 50s and 60s) and one of the longest lived. He led the Band of Renown for 65 years! 1938-2001 (and led the percursor Blue Devils from 1932-38). His son, Les Brown Jr., is still leading it. Brown is credited with the early success of Doris Day. He definitely belongs on the list.

Sarge

I got to see these guys a few years back, Sarge.  They were cool.

http://www.bandofrenown.com/

[Bogey]

There's many that I left out, but I tried to think of the all the "big" ones. I did leave out the Dorsey brothers and come to think of it, Gene Krupa. I don't really know why I made these omissions.

Was not pointing at omissions, rather just saying that I dig digging up ones that I had never heard of and spinnin' them.

[eyeresist]

No "other" choice?

Sarge

No-one's mentioned Woody Herman yet....

Hey Bogey, kudos for mentioning Red Nichols! He's one of my alltime favourites.

I haven't listened to this stuff in a while, so wouldn't feel right casting a vote.