Whenever we speak about music, and especially swing and jazz, we cannot miss the effect that the 1970s had on the genre. Which is why, maybe, things are still kind of vague about the era in the minds of various people. Some consider the time to be one of the best, some completely ignore the contribution, while the rest stick somewhere in the middle. If we take this from the perspective of a jazz aficionado, we might consider the achievements of Ethan Iverson and others to be path-breaking. They have not only deflated the notion that everything was about fusion but also sparked a huge debate on the original genre.
Speaking of the ‘70s
We realize that there were several evergreen albums recorded during the 1970s, and that includes both authentic sound and fusion music. We also come to know about the emergence of rising stars and forgotten legends who were much more than what we could analyze back then. However, most of us fail to consider the uniqueness of big band music USA of the time.
The ever-growing talks behind the reemergence of big band music, which was, frankly, declining since the early 1950s, lacked no subject behind the standards set by Harry James, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, among others during the time.
Bands That Took the 1970s by Storm
The period from the 1960s to 1970s even saw exceptional albums being released by big bands led by stalwarts such as Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Sun Ra, and Charles Tolliver. It was almost as if the world was divided by the ongoing love for rock music and the musical genius that big bands are. On that note, let us take a look at the most promising big bands that emerged during that time and are still relevant in the twenty-first century.
1. Woody Herman: The specialty of such a band led by this charismatic reedman is their youthful energy that reflected a piece of music based on their time and space. Talking about the Herman Herd, as a swing-age icon, Chick Corea’s Spain is almost unforgettable.
2. Don Ellis: Known to be a trumpeter extraordinaire, Ellis was often touted to be way ahead of his time. His large orchestral settings would typically include a wide array of unique time signatures, which ensured experimentation to be inevitable in big band music. Among many of his famous compositions, you would find “Tears of Joy,” a soulful rendition that speaks about the breadth of his vision that covers the multiple-percussion rhythm section and a brass octet.
3. The Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin Big Band: Talking about the most notable big bands of the 1970s, we cannot miss out on the time when reputed pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi along with her husband Lew Tabackin, flew to Los Angeles early in the decade. The band, thus, became the perfect canvas for Akiyoshi to write her heart out, which, combined with the sound of woodwinds and the rhythmic variety, carefully compiled into a mix of traditional Japanese music. Their most famous track “Road Time Shuffle” was a nod to their first tour of Japan and on alto sax also featured, Dick Spencer.
4. The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra: If you are looking forward to the enriching gold standard of that time, you may want to know about the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. This big band was a combination of what Jones could write and the music created by pianist Roland Hanna and Snooky Young, the trumpeter. To this day, you can listen to the magic in the form of the gracefully nuanced Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
Apart from all these exceptional artists, you can follow the likes of Maynard Ferguson, who have successfully turned his brand into a 1970s commercially successful one, even after his artistic unevenness.
Conclusion: Swing music is all about falling back to the tunes and letting yourself go as you enjoy what the song wants to say to you. Big Bands have only heightened that effect by giving it layers that are for the listeners to enjoy. Should you be looking for the perfect big band swing music radio, tune into Swing Street Radio for twenty-four hours of non-stop evergreen swing hits.
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