One of my favorite artists is Russ Morgan. So Tired is my personal favorite song if his, I was introduced to him via an artist called James Leyland Kirby, better known as the Caretaker, he sampled old ballroom music, but, when I actually listened to the samples, it made me realize something. It has an identity, entirely of its own. Music that doesn’t need to be tied in with an artist who just sampled it. I’ve gotten into many old Big Band artists now, Russ Morgan, Ray Noble, and Paul Whitman to name a few, Ive learned to appreciate old things a lot more. One thing how ever is the perpetual loss of well, it. Big band music stopped being popular a long time ago, and yes, there are some outliers, Frank Sinatra I’m looking at you, its still disappointing to see how people don’t care about these old artists anymore. As an actual musician myself (Trombone/Euphonium) music just feels different when your playing it instead of just listening to it. Man… I just love old music… haha… well, I guess that’s one thing with life, things come and things go.

https://youtu.be/iPVMO2Ca5_Q

Amira B (my daughter) singing a killer arrangement of "Stormy Weather" (arr. Kevin Carey) with the wonderful Kevin Blancq Big Band at Swing46 in NYC, Weds 11/20. After an incredible month where Amira sang at The Apollo and Birdland, she'll be at NJPAC this Sunday as one of five finalists in the Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Vocal Competition!

Follow her: Amira B http://www.amirabmusic.com

Hey everyone, I made this video about how I record my big band projects that I write in Dorico using some multitrack methods to record on a tight budget. If you were looking to release some recordings of your compositions and arrangements, this video is for you. I think it is important to follow through on original compositions, record them, and share them with the world.

https://youtu.be/XB9voiInKjM

I can't find a recording of this arrangement on YouTube but here's a recording I recently uploaded of this arrangement to make up for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKmLuSaq1a4

Hi all - I'm organising a very fun, informal big band concert for my workplace, and long story short I need the song "Me and My Shadow", preferably the Frank/Sammy (or Robbie/Jonny) version, but in a key that's more female friendly - Eb is either too high or too low! Due to time constraints (and also everyone is a volunteer!) I'm loathed to spend the time running it through Sibelius, so just asking if anyone has a version in a different key that they'd be willing to swap with me for a song of their choosing? I've got loads of sheets for all kind of combos - big bands, function bands, that sort of thing - I can send you a list. Anyway, delete if inappropriate, but if you don't ask you don't get, right? Thanks!

I would like to hear some songs about being on the verge of starting a relationship. Songs about the anxieties of finally asking and the relief of doing so, songs about entering into a relationship with a good friend, and other similar topics. Thanks for any suggestions!

Hey all!

Holiday concerts are almost upon us, and the community big band I direct is prepping for our holiday gig. I’m trying to find some ideas for a feature for our awesome piano player. He’s a great soloist, so I was hoping to get something arrangement that would be a good feature for him. We have a couple of arrangements of the standard Vince Guaraldi fare, but I was hoping for something that was either less common or different from standard Xmas repertoire. Doesn’t even have to be holiday related - our vocalist is doing a gorgeous arrangement of Skylark for our holiday gig.

Any ideas welcome! Thanks!

Hi there,

This is quite specific, but I was wondering if anyone has any info to share on the analysis of Millers Moonlight Serenade? I’m looking specifically for elements of music (form, harmony, chord structure, progressions, rhythm etc.). I’m doing a project on this and there really is very little info on the harmonic elements of the tune. Websites seem to focus on the songs historical/societal impact rather than the ins and outs of the structure. Any info would help!

Thanks.

https://youtu.be/-RiXWHQbvpY?si=MO9ybvTx3nZs6Zzr&t=1317
Track 7, "Stumped", 21:57, could someone please identify the song sampled in that track? It's the only sample in this video that's left unknown.
Posted here after mistakenly posting in r/oldtimemusic thinking it was literal 😅

Looking for tune recommendations - especially patriotic tunes - for a Veterans Day / USO style gig. Sure, we've got In The Mood and a Medley of Armed Forces themes...but what else would you recommend?

Hello All!

I'm desperately trying to find a digital version of the Bob Florence Westlake Album on CD or for digital download. I'm looking for something higher quality than the YouTube videos posted of it. Does anyone have the CD files they could share? The only CDs on line are going for almost $100 each and I can't pay that for the few tunes I need to study for a gig. Great stuff on that album. Hoping to keep the legacy of the music alive. Hope you're all well.

I'm looking for the arrangement of "Prelude to a Kiss" off of The Roar of '74. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

So I'm 20 years old and I'm the assistant director or 2nd director or however it's called of my school's big band. Maybe to most of you it's not a big deal (I know it ain't) but to me it is, so I always try to do my best and be the most professional I can. However, this week the main director is on your with a band and I'm in charge of rehearsals. I'm doing it by sections, and I can handle the horns, but I don't know what to do with the rhythm section: I don't have much real professional experience, nor do I have a very trained ear that could make me able to pick up wrong chords (I think so, I haven't done it before) like the main director does. So I'm actually scared to actually go in there and shame myself in front of my students and let them down. However, I'm thinking that maybe, because they're really really good, I could get away with it just being there, pretend I know something of what's happening, and guide the discipline aspect of the rehearsal and maybe that's enough so they can pull it off by themselves, and then when the main director comes back he fixes some more details. I know it's not the best solution but I just don't know what else to do, other than train myself to be able to do it right on other opportunities, and fake it till I make. PLEASE, let me know your opinions, thoughts, ideas and anything that could help me, I will be really thankful.

I went and seen the Glenn Miller orchestra and the JukeBox Saturday Night orchestra live, and man did I enjoy it!!!

I’d like to follow more bands or even crooners/jazz musicians who tour.

Any local orchestras or ballrooms that play the old stuff or old style please recommend as well. It doesn’t have to be big names. Always looking for an excuse to travel!

Thanks!

Trying to get some input on what a complete collection of vinyl big band records might be worth. This is a big collection, including a whole collection of 78s. This was my dad‘s personal collection, and all records are in very, very good shape some rare albums, along with many others. Just trying to see what interest there might be in this collection. I don’t have a number yet, but I’m working on counting them all up. Thank you, Chuck

I am composing a big band chart for a low-medium skill high school band. And I always hear about written solos, but do you need them for a high school group? Another thing, there is a section where someone takes 3 choruses for a solo, it doesn't seem right to write a solo, only for that solo to be played 3 times, the other solos are one chorus long so no other solo has that problem.

Hi all,

As the title says, I’m wondering what got all of you into big band. I myself a sax player and developed a love for jazz and big band through the course of learning my instrument. How many of you are musicians as well?

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Tdstc4Cinx1K167iQrENP?si=HX5oRgwVT9OM-2AsJVA8nA&pt=31b7a0824a5056e9668576cf6c8715d1&pi=u-_RvbtXyyR8-Fh

Dro

I used to listen to the 40s station on SiriusXM, and loved it. I dropped my subscription to save money. There was a song with beautiful, intense harmony; maybe a male and female trio(?) and the gist of the song was he found out she'd been cheating with his cousin (I think) The harmonies were over the top beautiful; anyone able to help my aging memory?