new music 02-03-05

• Stan Kenton - Portraits on Standards
• John Fedchock - New York Big Band
• Count Basie Orchestra - Live at the Sands (Before Frank)
• Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra - Presenting Joe Williams and Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra

in addition, i order these CDs off Amazon.com:

• Thad/Mel - Consummation
• Thad/Mel - Central Park North
• Buddy Rich - Wham

in case you couldn't tell, i'm totally digging on the Big Band stuff right now. before i came to UNT i wasn't really into, and now that i'm playing in a more proficient lab band and am starting to arrange for big band in arranging II, i'm getting really excited about all the musical possibilities an 17+ piece big band can offer (i'm a huge nerd).

The Joe Williams with Thad/Mel album is REALLY good. i'm not familiar with a lot of jazz singers, but i like what i know of joe williams.