I would have to say James Brown. He was such a musical genious. He also had a great eye for talent. Anyone who “discovered” Maceo Parker and Bootsy Collins deserves some credit. To see James Brown in concert is one of my life goals. Sadly, I dont think this will ever happen, although he is playing in Toronto this fall and I have friends there to stay with!! Whoo hoo!!
Anyway, what do all y’all think?
peace,
JB
Cab Calloway. But that’s just MHO.
Cab Calloway and James Brown were both in ‘The Blues Brothers’ movie. There must have been some pretty damn good music floating around that set.
peace,
JB
If we’re talking bandleaders, somebody outta bring up Duke Ellington and/or Count Basie.
And how about raising the roof for Artie Shaw, maybe.
BTW–Cab and James are great, without a doubt. Good Topic!
Chino Moreno, Brandon Boyd, or even Willie Salazar.
Frank Zappa
Anyone that could make a band play HIS music… technically complicated as it was… HAD to be a great bandleader… (of course, he never was completely satisfied with his bands, though some came close)
Duke Ellington, hands down.
Stan Kenton.
Also…let us not forget the clown prince of band leaders…
Spike Jones
Duke Ellington in first, Glen Miller next and Chick Webb a close third.
sun ra and charles mingus are right up there.
John Phillips Souza
Not “best,” but among my favorites:
James Reese Europe
John Phillip Sousa
Duke Ellington
Cab Calloway
Glenn Miller
Paul Whiteman
art blakey gets my vote, how could i have forgotten? the shame…
Does John Williams count? If so…he and Glenn Miller. (also one of the sexiest in my opinion-Glenn MIller, NOT John Williams-yeah, I’m weird.)
And Figrin Dian and the Module Nodes…(Star Warriors should get this one…sorry couldn’t spell the name right…)