# Contemporay Big Band Jazz **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 16, 2004, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637 "2004-03-16T14:56:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/1 "2004-03-16T14:56:42Z")
My latest musical discovery is Either/Orchestra, a big-band outfit from Boston. My favorite of their albums so far is _Afro-Cubism_, although AMG only gives it three stars – of course, I’ve been listening to a lot of African and Afro-Caribbean music over the last couple years, so that could affect my opinion. Anyone else like this sort of music? Any recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/2 "2004-03-16T17:13:22Z")
[Hunter Sullivan](http://www.huntersullivan.com) has a local jazz orchestra here in the Dallas area that has a [CD](http://www.huntersullivan.com/cds.html) of original songs and standards. You can hear some clips [here](http://www.huntersullivan.com/sounds.html) and [here](http://www.huntersullivan.com/list.html). Pash ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/3 "2004-03-16T20:08:48Z")
This is kinda nonstandard, but Nik Turner’s Fantastic Allstars has a fun CD called _Kubano Kickasso_. Yes, this is the Nik Turner from Hawkwind. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/4 "2004-03-16T21:27:56Z")
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. When that album was released, he pretty much stopped being a country singer. ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/5 "2004-03-17T01:35:57Z")
Either/Orchestra are great fun! If it’s the Afro-Cuban stuff you’re after, I’m afraid I don’t know too many contemporary big bands who play it, but neither Mario Bauzá nor Dizzy Gillespie will ever get old. Paquito D’Rivera led the United Nation Orchestra after Dizzy’s death, I believe. Other contemporary leaders of big bands: McCoy Tyner, David Murray, Butch Morris (is he still around?), Ken Schaphorst (maybe that’s only a 10-tet or so, not sure), Maria Schneider. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/6 "2004-03-17T01:43:41Z")
Bob Mintzer (unsure of the spelling) has an excellent contemporary big band. And I’m not sure if they still record, but the GRP All-Star Big Band was amazing. Their self-titled CD has some great big band standards on it, with some of the finest arrangements I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporay-big-band-jazz/234637/7 "2004-03-17T14:26:06Z")
Thanks for the suggestions, all! I’ve definitely got a list going. I was hoping to lure you in, **BBVL**! And **E. Thorp** – thanks for the Dizzy Gillespie reminder – you’re right, he’s also in that mood.