This is a list of big band albums that inspired us to make this album. This is by no means a definitive or exhaustive list - we just like 'em!

Charlie Parker - Bird With The Herd (Jazz Kings) 1951
The legend goes that Bird happened to be in the same town on the same day as Woody Hermans' band, and also happened to know by heart all of Hermans' arrangements. He also happened to arrive to sit in with the band for a blistering couple of sets.

John Coltrane - Africa Brass (Impulse) 1961
Trane's majestic soulful blues drenched cry is matched in beauty by Eric Dolphy's orchestrations and the power of his regular quartet.

Johnny Griffin - Big Soul Band (Riverside) 1961
The Griff never sounded so tough as here, wailing over a mighty sound. Great version of "Wade In The Water" too.

Kenny Clarke & Francy Boland Big Band - Handle With Care (Atlantic) 1962
Fantastic steaming and swinging mix of American and European players. Includes the latin stormer "Om Mani Padme Hum".

Gil Evans - The Individualism of (Verve) 1963
Includes the original version of "Las Vegas Tango". Essential listening.

Cal Tjader - Several Shades of Jade (Verve) 1963
Arranged by Lalo Schifrin, this is a curiously exotic mix of Cal's customary latin vibes and percussion with Eastern melodies. And it works.

Kenny Burrell - Guitar Forms (Verve) 1965
Burrell's versatile playing is perfectly framed by Gil Evans' "Sketches of Spain"-like arrangements. Lovely.

Duke Ellington - The Far East Suite (RCA Victor) 1967
Eastern modal magic influenced by touring in Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece & Japan. Unique and essential.

Don Ellis - Electric Bath (Columbia) 1968
Inspired mix of eastern influences, freaky time signatures, early electronics, and big big horns.

Miles Davis & Gil Evans - The Complete Studio Sessions (Columbia)1958-68
You might as well get the lot! It's all fantastic. The classic albums Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, and Sketches Of Spain stand out as the masterpieces they are, but there's also previously unreleased rehearsals and a couple of unearthed new gems in The Time Of The Barracudas, and Falling Water Essential!

Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra - Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard (UA) 1969
Funk, beautiful ballads, the blues and a waltz in one of the greatest jazz clubs ever. It must have been some night!

Don Ellis – Tears of Joy (Columbia) 1971
More maniacal time signatures (the band here includes 3 drummers and a percussionist) as Don adds a string quartet to the 11-piece horn section.

Gil Evans - Svengali (Atlantic) 1973
Brilliant combination of electronics and jazz orchestration.

Stan Kenton & His Orchestra - 7.5 On The Richter Scale (Creative World) 1973
Earth-shakingly funky!

Oliver Nelson – Skull Session (Flying Dutchman) 1975
Perfect mix of moody electronics and swinging horns.

Dave Holland Big Band – What Goes Around (ECM) 2002
The big bass man's quintet augmented by eight of NY's finest hornmen.