Big Band Ballads

[ttf_anonymous]

Hey everyone!

I am doing a little bit of research and would like to know what is everyone's favorite ballad written for a big band? I am open to anything written by anybody (trombone player or not).

Thanks!

[ttf_vegasbound]

Too what end?

[ttf_Exzaclee]

Quote from: vegasbound on Apr 14, 2017, 03:14AMToo what end?

What is the intent of this response? Are you doing similar research?

Here's some of my faves:

Miles Davis Gil Evans, My Ship, Lament and Maids of Cadiz from the Miles Ahead Album.
Concerto de Aranjuez from Sketches of Spain
Gil Evans - Round Midnight (From "New Bottle, Old Wine", also on "The Complete Pacific Jazz Sessions")
Johnny Hodges with Ellington Orchestra - "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", "Prelude To A Kiss", And Isfahan (from Far East Suite) is one of my top ten favorite songs.
Harry Carney with Ellington - "Sophisticated Lady."
Sugar Rum Cherry (From Ellington Suites) has a nice vibe to it, not quite a ballad, probably works better as a slow opium-ed up foxtrot.
Lush Life is probably my favorite ballad, the Phil Wilson arrangement of that is pretty tight if you want a big band arrangement, but the best recording of that in my opinion is the John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman (which is The Quartet with JH providing vocals.)

That Maynard Arrangement of Stella By Starlight I was trying to think of is Phil Gray on trombone.

I'm sure I'll think of some others...

[ttf_vegasbound]

Quote from: Exzaclee on Apr 14, 2017, 06:13AMWhat is the intent of this response? Are you doing similar research?

Here's some of my faves:

Miles Davis Gil Evans, My Ship, Lament and Maids of Cadiz from the Miles Ahead Album.
Concerto de Aranjuez from Sketches of Spain
Gil Evans - Round Midnight (From "New Bottle, Old Wine", also on "The Complete Pacific Jazz Sessions")
Johnny Hodges with Ellington Orchestra - "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good", "Prelude To A Kiss", And Isfahan (from Far East Suite) is one of my top ten favorite songs.
Harry Carney with Ellington - "Sophisticated Lady."
Sugar Rum Cherry (From Ellington Suites) has a nice vibe to it, not quite a ballad, probably works better as a slow opium-ed up foxtrot.
Lush Life is probably my favorite ballad, the Phil Wilson arrangement of that is pretty tight if you want a big band arrangement, but the best recording of that in my opinion is the John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman (which is The Quartet with JH providing vocals.)

That Maynard Arrangement of Stella By Starlight I was trying to think of is Phil Gray on trombone.

I'm sure I'll think of some others...

To try and gfarner more info from the OP as to why he is asking, is it to arrange?, perform?, write a thesis? putting together a bigband pad and doing audience type research?

Numbers written solely for bigband or arranged for them

[ttf_Exzaclee]

Quote from: vegasbound on Apr 14, 2017, 07:25AMNumbers written solely for bigband or arranged for them

I don't think one necessarily needs to distinguish between the two If you have some favorites feel free to list them.

[ttf_vegasbound]

Quote from: Exzaclee on Apr 14, 2017, 08:22AMI don't think one necessarily needs to distinguish between the two If you have some favorites feel free to list them.

Again, is it the ballad or particular versions?

Current favourite's and I have been thinking that there may be an age element to some of the choices in repect that what I list now will not be the same as I would have 20 years ago because they seem to chime with where I am now! also often it is a particular artists version that chimes!

just a small sample of my ecclectic taste!

How do you keep the music playing- Sinatra from LA is my Lady (The last truly great Sinatra song?)quincy Jones's arrangement with Sinatra interpreting.....sublime

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8NrINKHcXI

If I never sing another song -Matt Monroe   a great interpreter of a song and much underated these days!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-tjMqhCMVM

Somewhere over the rainbow - Eva Cassidy her voice was truly god given!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY


Mr Bojangles - Sammy Davis Jnr   the ultimate story teller singing a song that was his reocurring fear that he would end up that way!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du22wApJqvs


Stardust -Jack Jenny he recorded a couple of alternative versions to the released one with his own orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC-kWPfBc1Q


Just a few thoughts about ballads, they have to be believed and they have too touch someone!

[ttf_Dukesboneman]

Watrous/Nestico - A Time For Love
Bill Holman/Fontana - Polka Dots & Moonbeams
Kenton - Here`s That Rainy day

[ttf_Matt K]

I love Slide Hampton's version of "A Nightingale Sang in Bekeley Square" and Slide + Watous doing "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing". 

[ttf_Max Croot]

Hi. One of my favourites is "My one and only love" as recorded by Stan Kenton Orchestra on Sophisticated Approach" Lovely chart to play. A Lennie Niehaus Arrangement.

[ttf_BillO]

Someone to Watch Over Me - there have been a number of Big Band arrangements.

One I'd like to hear/see arranged for Big Band is Mona Lisa.  It may have been 

[ttf_Andrew Meronek]

A couple of my favorites:

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, arr. Bill Holman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH9HDw0rjbU

We Will Not Be Silenced, by Jim McNeely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_PGN_71FBQ

Midnight Sun, arr. Nelson Riddle, sung by Ella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TxATvVFt_U Damn.

[ttf_dershem]

Have you heard "Hospital Blues" by Tom Kubis?

[ttf_dershem]

Have you heard "Hospital Blues" by Tom Kubis?