Sorry, but I can't see either version getting anyone's juices flowing, and isn't that what music is supposed to do? Couldn't sound more sterile if it had been performed inside of an autoclave. It's like someone put some heavy-duty compression/limiting on the thing, killing all the dynamics. I freely admit that I'm not a big fan of 'Big Band' and faux Big Band is even worse. Strange in a way, because I thoroughly enjoyed playing Horn and trumpet in our big band in college. Big bands are way more fun to play in than to listen to.

I thought the T4 sax was terrible in the first version (although it sounds VERY authentic when played alone (auditioned). I think this has a lot to do with mastering the technique of emulating sax player technique on a keyboard. If you play it like a keyboard, it's going to sound like a keyboard playing sax sounds. Likewise, I wasn't blown away with the muted trumpet in version 2, but the open trumpet at @ 2:00 sounded pretty good.

I think the problem trying to play 'Big Band' on an arranger is that a big band arrangement is too complex to get the dynamics in the right places AND that the 'generic' style parts in 'big band' styles rarely fit any specific song very well.

I am not bashing the instruments here, just offering my opinion on what I heard. YMMV.

chas