Deeply entrenched in swing, immersed in the history of their craft and with years of experience as veteran jazz musicians, Lady K and the Kings of Swing is a 17-piece Frank Sinatra-style big band recreating the sounds of Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Count Basie, Gershwin, Kenton, Sinatra and beyond.

Headed by saxophonist Kaye Leedham, the San Francisco-based Kings of Swing exude the excitement and energy found in the tradition of historic big bands, but with a modern twist on the classics, creating a progressive and original sound. Leedham thoughtfully chooses charts showcasing her band; “I choose songs that speak to me, that have interesting chord changes for a soloist to work with, and that have a sub-melody or story that wants to be told. I'm in love with old classics; Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lorenz and Hart, Cole Porter, Ellington. They had a true sense of melody that is epic and timeless. And these classics form the perfect canvas for each soloist to tell their story.”

This blazing hot 17-piece Sinatra-style big band recreates the sounds of Ellington, Cole Porter, Count Basie, Gershwin, Kenton, Sinatra and more. Featuring powerhouse vocalist Dale Head, the band swings the house down in this sizzling live performance.



  Inspirations, Vol.1
  by Jens Wendelboe's Big Crazy Energy New York Band
Our Price: $13.99 CD / $9.99 MP3 Album Download
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On Inspirations, the latest release by trombonist-composer Jens Wendelboe’s Big Crazy Energy New York Band, entertainment and intelligence go hand in hand. A genre-busting musical polymath who’s equally at home in jazz, classical, and pop music, Wendelboe on this CD pays homage to the jazz and pop music that he have shaped his vision of big band jazz. It’s a conception that sets feet tapping and uplifts the spirit, even as it engages the mind and challenges the players in his band. Whether they’re playing Lennon and McCartney, Joe Henderson, or one of Wendelboe’s own unfailingly lyrical originals, the Big Crazy Energy New York Band delivers music that’s good for the body and soul. The CD, produced by Wendelboe and co-produced Steven Jankowski, will be released February 16, 2010 on Rosa Records.

Beautiful new orchestrated versions of old jazz masters combined with new original contemporary jazz big band compositions



  March Fourth Marching Band
  by March Fourth Marching Band
Our Price: $14.00 CD / no MP3 Album Download
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MarchFourth is a date, a command, and a large band poised to take on the world. How do you define the experience of a MarchFourth show? What kind of images emerge when you listen to their eponymous 9-song debut disc? Imagine Duke Ellington meets Sgt Pepper in an international big-top Fantasia evoking a familial community reminiscent of the Grateful Dead. Imagine a 1920's speakeasy where Mr. Bungle meets the Shogun Warriors in a PG Clockwork Orange. M4 is not just for hipsters and adults; the kids and grandparents love it too!

This 30-person band is a high-energy, eclectic and mobile unit of good times, playing a Fellini-esque mix of originals and classic Mardi Gras mayhem, afro beat, Mexican hustle, sultry samba, big band, and gypsy folk with booty-shaking beats



  Fresh
  by Bria Skonberg
Our Price: $15.00 CD / no MP3 Album Download
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LIGHTER THAN AIR RECORDS is pleased to announce that International Award winning jazz artist, BRIA SKONBERG, is releasing her debut album “FRESH”. This CD contains an eclectic mix of fresh takes on jazz standards, mainstream hits as well as several originals composed by the artist. From blues quartet to big band to doo wop to Latin dance feel, this CD has something for everyone.

At age 25, trumpeter and vocalist Bria has been performing on stage for over 20 years. She has represented Canada as a bandleader and guest artist all over North America and Europe, as well as China and Japan. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the CBC Jazz Award of Merit, and the coveted Kobe Jazz Street Friendship Award, presented at the Breda Jazz Festival in Holland. Bria currently resides in Vancouver where she graduated with a Degree in Jazz Performance from Capilano College.

25 year old International award winning jazz trumpeter and vocalist presents fresh big band arrangements, mainstream hits, and funky originals.



  Rise Up
  by MarchFourth Marching Band
Our Price: $15.00 CD / $12.99 MP3 Album Download
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Sounding tighter than ever, the two- or three-dozen member collective has miraculously managed to channel its raucous sweat, swing and swagger for home and headphone. Newbies can enjoy this party-ready record for its own sake instead of just as a pale souvenir of a full color concert.

The disk presents almost the full range of M4’s diverse sounds—Mexican brass band (“Contada Ridiculata”), odd-meter Balkan party gypsies (“Simplon Cocek”), throwback Latin big-band jazz (“Dynomite”), classic funk (“Freestyle for Miles,” which owes as much to James Brown as to its namesake), New Orleans second line (“Ninth Ward Calling”), gospel rave up (“Gospel”) and unclassifiable hybrids. If Herb Alpert were still running the Tijuana Brass, “Happiness” would be the perfect cover.

The Band's first studio album, Rise Up captures the high energy of the live big band experience, while bringing special studio-only features like guest vocalists. The best yet, we bring you a vibrant and eclectic mix of the unexpected in a marching band.



  My Someday
  by Leah Natale
Our Price: $11.97 CD
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Her all original arrangements of classic jazz and big band songs are true to the original style with a flair of their own, capturing the essence of the musicianship of the era. Fun and sultry, Leah’s smooth effortless tone and exceptional phrasing is clear and melodic.

Leah is proud to be compared to crooners such as Peggy Lee and Anita O’Day. She takes the term crooner as more of a metaphysical state than a style, standing aside and surrendering herself to the song, bringing the song and her voice to a place where neither could be without the other. She takes elements of style from the greats of the past to create a style unique to herself.

Vintage recording style of big band jazz and small combo classics from the 1920s-1940s with all original arrangements.



  Flight Of The Bumblebee
  by Mike Barone Big Band
Our Price: $15.00 CD / $10.00 MP3 Album Download
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Mike Barone's work has always been first rate however he's raised the bar with this CD (excuse the pun!). There's something in this session for everybody from laid back to absolutely cookin'. The arrangements, ensemble and section work plus some great soloists and a rhythm section which could propel the next earth/moon shot combine to make a CD well worth having. I recommend it to fans not only of big band jazz but of jazz generally. Read more...

Big Band Jazz featuring world class LA musicians with compositions and arrangements by Mike Barone.



  Be Bop Big Band
  by Carl Saunders
Our Price: $13.99 CD / $9.99 MP3 Album Download
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Early in 1999, I heard through my friend Scott Englebright that trumpeter Carl Saunders was rehearsing a big band at the union hall in Los Angeles. I had been introduced to Carl's music in 1996 when another friend, John Foss, told me about Carl's first CD. I was already familiar with Carl's big band work, particularly his soloing with Bob Florence, so when Scott told me he had rehearsed with Carl's big band, I immediately placed a call to California. As it happened, Carl had taken his camcorder to a recent rehearsal, so he sent me a videotape and I was hooked. The short version of this story is that we decided to record the band. The long version follows.

In many ways this current aggregation is a descendent of Carl's Las Vegas big bands during the 60's, 70's and 80's. As Carl recalls his early years in Las Vegas-

"Highly recommended, this is one of the best big band albums of the early 21st century." - Scott Yanow, The All Music Guide, www.allmusic.com



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