I love large ensembles. Especially in the field of creative music there has always been so much great music written for big bands. From the iconic recordings of Gil Evans/Miles Davis and Count Basie/Frank Sinatra to all the contemporary works, I appreciate the wide range of colors and dynamics.
After my last concerts before the crisis were again with a big band, I had the opportunity to contribute the artwork for two great big band records in spring.
Both the records are released on Greenleaf Music and exciting productions with fantastic music and amazing musicians.
“New York City-based trombonist Mike Fahie (Darcy James Argue, John McNeil, Pedro Giraudo) releases the debut album from his steadfast large ensemble, the Mike Fahie Jazz Orchestra. Urban(e) presents a marriage of both the jazz and classical idioms. Fahie’s stunning arrangements of works by seven composers celebrate the cross-pollination of these two musics, fusing them into one cohesive sound.”
“Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Manuel Valera presents the dynamic debut of his New Cuban Express Big Band. Inspired by José Martí, the famed Cuban writer and independence hero, José Martí en Nueva York features Valera’s song cycle of original music based on nine poems from Martí’s seminal 1891 collection, Versos Sencillos.”
Another recently released big band record on Greenleaf Music is this one here and definitely also worth checking out!