Big Band Theory
The Big Band Theory plays the classics from the golden era of swing, and then connects it to large ensemble jazz from the past 100 years. There's some tunes you might know, and some tunes to surprise you, from right here in Maryland and around the world!
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Some Scottish-inspired tracks, including from the soundtrack to Spike Lee's new film "Highest to Lowest" by Fergus McCreadie, and "Of Glamur the Ghost and a Scottish Reel" from the Reykavik Big Band. Later on we here a special band made up entirely of DACA recipients, on the track "Don't Fence Me In". And so much more...
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A tribute to the pivotal but oft-forgotten role of the clarinet in big band jazz. Includes Artie Shaw's "Concerto for Clarinet", Benny Goodman's classic take on "Honeysuckle Rose", and more from Woody Herman, Sidney Bechet, Eddie Daniels, Ken Peplowski, and Anat Cohen.
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The new track from the Christian McBridge Big Band, featuring Sting, "Murder by Numbers". Then a bunch of number-themed tracks. And a new West Side Story medley.
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We've got a cool Supersax rendition of Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time". Then get laid back with Bill Evans on Claus Ogerman's Symbiosis.
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We start with some tunes for the birds: Pigeons and Peppers, Whirlybird, Chasin' the Bird, and Birdland. Then it's on to some big band arrangements of some of Weather Report's greatest hits. And we don't stop until we get enough...
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A tribute to the long history of Big Band in Sweden and its neighbors. Includes Duke Ellington's Serenade to Sweden, the music that Thad Jones brought over, and some homegrown music from Harry Arnold. Also some experimental big band from Ultraviolett, and no Sweden episode would be complete without some ABBA.
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Featuring some Big Band arrangements of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, from Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and Cleo Laine, Miles Davis and Maria JoΓ£o. Then we hear some new releases from Tom Smith and the Australian National Jazz Orchestra.
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A varied mix of big band, both old and new. From Duke Ellington's Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me (Concerto for Cootie) performed by Cootie Williams, and Count Basie's Not Now, I'll Tell You When, to newer things like That's What She Said from Gordon Goodwin and Dan Savant's Five Alarm, and Small Town, Big Band from Sean Nelson's New London Big Band. Also includes a very special orchestral arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life performed by Joshua Redman.
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Some old favorites, including All the Things Your Are, I'm Old Fashioned, and Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, and some new things, including Ryan Middaugh's Move Your Rug. Then we conclude with hour with Maria Schneider's masterpiece, The "Pretty" Road.