There’s a sense of more development and intrigue to come as Gareth Lockrane’s ‘Fistfight at the Barndance’ mixes musical atmospheres and essences.

Paying homage to a Charles Mingus masterpiece with inspired original material is just what you’d expect from the ever-curious, ever-expansive alto saxophonist Greg Ward.

Gavin Harrison’s ‘Cheating the Polygraph’ references Porcupine Tree and big band, but quickly moves well beyond those well-worn tropes.

Brian Setzer, an unjustly unheralded guitar player, has this knack for connecting with the redux zeitgeist.

You got to come on, man, and take a piece of Mr. Nathan Parker Smith’s band.

Daring but not self indulgent, this double album would be a risk in lesser hands.

She remains a wonder of range and sassy interpretation.

This doesn’t often sound like big band music, as Fujii draws from every impulse at her disposal.