Big bands are usually considered a glorious relic of jazz’s past, but not this season. Joe Lovano’s new disc, Symphonica, pairs the must-hear tenor saxophonist with the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne. The ICP Orchestra makes a rare live appearance September 6 at the Abrons Art Center. The L.A.-based Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra comes to Columbus Circle to duel with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in the Rose Theater October 23 to 25. Jazz’s top big band, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, holds forth at Jazz Standard November 25 to 30. Even outsiders want in on the action; dance-music superstar Matthew Herbert puts his Big Band through a workout on There’s Me and There’s You (October 28).

Related:

• Archive: “Guides”
• Table of Contents: Sep 1, 2008 issue of New York | Subscribe!