Basie, Ellington & Herman and other big bands.

Dorsetmike

Dorsetmike

Member
Having seen all three bands live on tour in UK back in the 60s/70s, I thought that Herman's Herd were much sharper/crisper (disciplined?) than the other two, it tends to show in most of their records to me, of the three though I think I prefer Basie, he usually seems to enjoy his music more, Ellington composed some great works.

Miller and Goodman I feel are in a slightly different category, other big bands like Billy May, and the Elgarts were more pure dance bands than jazz, Earl Bostic was for me moving in another direction which nobody else followed.

Not quite sure where to place the likes of Nelson Riddle and others often found backing various singers/crooners.

So it's difficult to choose a best, it all depends on personal preference.

Discuss!
 

OLDUDE

New member
I think you have summed the situation up nicely Mike.
I feel the topic is too massive to discuss as a whole.
Perhaps dealing with individual Bands would be (possible to discuss) - for example take Kenton.
I could talk about his music, and individual artists participating, for ages, but am not sure it would be popular.
Cheers John
 

stu

New member
A tough one Mike. Thoroughly enjoy and marvel at all three. The great thing was they, (Stan Kenton included), all had something different to offer.
I reckon Duke Ellington just gets the nod from me. His legacy must remain as the most commanding in the music.
Solo wise, with great depth and intensity, swing, humour, with themes upon themes running throughout many orchestral pieces, and many of his suites.
I did see him twice. The first time was the best, when all the heavyweights were on board.
Count Basie whom I saw eight times, was a powerhouse of infectious swing! His early days probably tops on solo power, and, later, the swing machine that I saw always delivered the goods, with Joe Newman. Lockjaw Davis, the two Franks, Al Grey, Henry Coker, etc plus that solid rhytmn section and Basie's 'less is better' piano playing.
Woody Herman. I only had the chance to see this band once. However, I enjoyed The First Herd in the late forties, then the modern jazz of the 2nd and 3rd herds. Flip Phillips, Don Lamond, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims,Shorty Rogers, the Candoli's, Bill Harris, Chubby Jackson- then Sal Nistico, Dusko Goykovitch, Jake Hanna, Sonny Igoe ETC.
So many classics. Among my favourite recordings are 'Woody's Winners' and 'Live At Basin Street East' .
So many greats emerged from all three bands. I sometimes liked some indiscipline in the bands, a looseness, an anything might happen attitude. They all had some of that. Basie had a few jokers in the ranks.
 
JHC

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
I rated the Goodman band very highly but I was more into his small groups, also Kenton must have been the top big band and of course Ted Heath was not too foul either.
 
Dorsetmike

Dorsetmike

Member
Also found this, have a look at the line up, some names hidden there!


and a UK tribute to SK

[video=youtube;jjd2wVVcfjY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=jjd2wVVcfjY&NR=1[/video]
 
Dorsetmike

Dorsetmike

Member
And having served 23 years in the RAF I could not ignore this lot



and this bit of them in the studio at Abbey rd

 
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