Jazz Big Band Recommendations?

I know it's not exactly what you are looking for but, I have been playing the crap out of a new disk by Geoff Muldaur. It's called "Private Astronomy, A vision of the music of Bix Beiderbecke". Really, really great arrangements of Bix tunes (some of which were never recorded). Check it out it's a good one.

A couple to add to your list -

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra has a live album that is one of the all-time best. Great charts and great playing.

Maria Schneider has several albums that may catch your fancy.

I second the Dave Holland

Ginger Baker and DJQ20

Carla Bley Big Band, I don't think much of the new one "Looking for America" but the rest are good, "Goes to Church" and "Live" are a few favorites.

Joe Henderson Big Band

Some of this stuff may not fit everyones idea of what a big band is, but if there's more than 8 players and some jazz influences are apparent, it works for me. Anyway here are a few i'm hanging onto:

Maarten Altena/Quotl
Ken Schaphorst Big Band/Purple
Either Orchestra/Radium, More Beautiful Than Death
Vanguard Jazz Orch./Music of Jim McNeely
Octurn/Dimensions
George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band/First Prize
Patrick Zimmereli/Octurn
Orange Then Blue/Hold the Elevator
Gil Evans Orch./Tribute to Gil (the Hendrix ones are fun too)
The Now Orchestra/WOWOW
The New York Composers Orch.(all)
Orkest de Volharding/Trajekten
Circulasione Totale Orch./Accent
Pierre Favre/European Chamber Ensemble
Anthony Davis/Episteme, Undine
Edward Vesala/Nordic Gallery
Orchestre National de Jazz/Charmmediterraneen
Paul Termos/Death Dance of Principles
Frank Zappa/Grand Wazoo
Per Henrik Wallin/Tiveden
Norbert Stein Pata Orch./Die wilden Pferde der armen Leute
Magali Souriau Orch./Birdland Sessions
Ardvark Orch./Steps Out
Clubfoot Orch./Metropolis (all are good)
Rene Rosnes/ and the Radio Danish Big Band
Umo Jazz Orch/Transit People
Absolute Ensemble/Absolution
Neufeld Occhipinti Jazz Orch./NOJO

The Bob Florence Limited Edition is one of the best big bands going. Several CDs are on the MAMA label. Bob has done most of the composing and arranging on these albums. Stan Kenton recordings remain very good examples the best in big band jazz performances. Enjoy!