No.79
Listening to Cutting Edge of Big band Jazz

August 1, 2024

By Masamichi Okazaki

Large-scale, big-band jazz always delivers gorgeous sounds to listeners. Here, I have selected three outstanding big band albums on modern music’s cutting edge. These albums are superb in performance and recording, allowing us to fully enjoy the joy of big band music.

#259 Darcy James Argue’s Big Band filled with plenty of contemporary elements

Dynamic Maximum Tension / Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society

Dynamic Maximum Tension / Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
(Nonesuch 7559790350)

The “Secret Society” led by Darcy James Argue now attracts the most attention as an evolutionary form of big band jazz. This is the latest double album from the group led by Canadian-born composer and bandleader Darcy, under contract to the Nonesuch label. The band’s arrangements and sound construction are bold, incorporating many contemporary elements while maintaining the traditional big band style. Their ever-changing sense of color makes it interesting to see how the music develops. Such an unrestrained development is very thrilling. Each of Darcy’s original compositions is like a richly detailed painting, evoking a wealth of imagination.

First, one would marvel at the complex and exquisite ensemble of <Dymaxion,> the blend word of the album title. This piece seems to encapsulate the band’s charm with its bold sound, which unfolds with a strong sense of tension. The album features a wide variety of original numbers, including <Ebonite,> inspired by Argentine folk dance, and <Last Waltz for Levon,> dedicated to Levon Helm, the drummer of the rock group “The Band.” The magnificent <Tensile Curves> is a large, suite-like work written in response to Duke Ellington’s historic piece <Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue.> That original Ellington piece was over 40 minutes long, and the performance here is also 35 minutes long. The fantastic sound of the 10-string violin played by guest performer Sara Caswell is also beautiful. And <Your Enemies Are Asleep> is dedicated to the people of war-torn Ukraine. This is a haunting piece with a plaintive melody over an impressive riff, and Ingrid Jensen’s wailing trumpet solo further amplifies the sadness. This is a remarkable album by “Secret Society,” which is emotional but has sparkling intelligence.

#260 Danceable Sounds that Mix House and Techno

Emergenz / Jazzrausch Bigband

Emergenz / Jazzrausch Bigband
(Act-9954、King International KKJ-193)

Formed in Munich in 2015, the “Jazzrausch Bigband” is a new-generation group that mixes jazz orchestra and house/techno to create pop and danceable sounds. They have also released “Beethoven’s Breakdown,” a techno version of Beethoven’s music. I was impressed by how the works of a classical master blended seamlessly into the pop-techno sound.

This album, recorded in the fall of 2021, emphasizes the band’s pop side even more, with vocals taking center stage in some numbers. The melodies written by Leonhard Kuhn, who is in charge of electronics in the band, are easy to understand and familiar. They most recently released “Mahler’s Breakdown,” an approach to the works of late-Romantic master Gustav Mahler, which extensively uses synthesizers, and “Bruckner’s Breakdown,” which is an approach to Anton Bruckner’s music, adding horns, bassoons, and strings to the band. The “Jazzrausch Bigband” turns any materials into danceable pieces. They may be one form of music of the future.

#261 Count Basie Orchestra’s Latest Work Focusing on Blues

The Count Basie Swings The Blues

The Count Basie Swings The Blues
(BSMF-5122)

Some may think, “What, Count Basie’s music is ahead of its time?” However, I believe that Basie’s music is not only the bible of big band jazz but also timeless. This latest album is proof of that. The content is typical Basie swing, and as the title suggests, it features only blues numbers. The album won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, beating out a host of outstanding contemporary bands.

Count Basie organized the orchestra in the mid-1930s, and this year marks the 120th anniversary of his birth and the 40th anniversary of his death. Since he died in 1984, several members have taken over the band, and the current leader is trumpeter Scotty Barnhart. This album focuses on the “blues” that has traditionally been a part of the Basie band since its early days and features guest appearances on each song, such as blues legend Buddy Guy, veteran Bettye LaVette, and top contemporary singer Lauren Mitchell. George Benson joined in for the last number, <Rock Candy,> playing a brilliant guitar solo. The idea of reviving a part of the Basie Swing in the modern age is truly outstanding.

About the Author

Masamichi Okazaki

Masamichi Okazaki

Surrounded by various kinds of music from his childhood, Masamichi Okazaki joined Waseda University Modern Jazz Club. He started contributing articles to music magazines when he was a student. He covers wide range of music not only trad, modern and contemporary jazz, but also from pops to classics. He writes liner notes for CDs and LPs, and is a regular contributor to “JAZZ JAPAN,” “STEREO,” and others. He joined a big band, “Shiny Stockings,” as a saxophone player. He is a director of The Music Pen Club Japan (MPCJ).