While playing in the New Zealand Navy Band (1999), I got a call to play lead for a big band backing Bobby Shew at a Jazz Festival here in NZ. I can still vividly remember the clam I made in the intro to "All The Things You Are" and the grin he gave me to say "Yep, I heard that, alright".
A month ago I also had the privilege to play in a 6 piece band backing James Morrison (Australian brass player...not the singer) for yet another Jazz Festival here in NZ. A really nice guy, but his chops scare me...a lot!
One of the best concerts I've seen/heard is the Danish Radio Jazz Orchestra. Wow, they played some amazing material, and they segued seamlessly from tune to tune for an entire set
