Ernie Wilkins Almost Big Band

Almost Big Band, a 13-piece jazz ensemble based in Copenhagen, Denmark, was formed by Ernie Wilkins in 1980. The band featured prominent musicians such as Kenny Drew and Ed Thigpen from the United States, along with notable Danish jazz artists like Jesper Thilo and Bent Jaedig. As an arranger, Wilkins created the band to have his own ensemble for composition. Almost Big Band released their debut album Ernie Wilkins & the Almost Big Band in 1980 via Storyville Records, followed by releases such as Almost Big Band Live (1981), Montreux (1983), and On the Roll (1984).