VALLEY WEEKEND : MUSIC : SOUNDS : Big-Band Era Far From Over for One Composer : Arranger Bill Holman is in the midst of a phenomenally busy year with a new album, composing commissions and gigs leading his own group.

Here’s an irony for you: the era of the big bands is long gone, yet composer-arranger-bandleader Bill Holman continues to thrive.

This year alone, the 68-year-old artist--who first received acclaim in the 1950s when he wrote scintillating pieces for Stan Kenton--has been phenomenally busy. He recorded his first album in seven years, “A View From the Side,” on JVC Records. In addition, he received commissions to write original works for ensembles in the Netherlands, Germany and Las Vegas, and contributed four arrangements for singer Tony Bennett’s next album.

And, the man regarded by many as the premier living composer-arranger for large jazz ensemble, still has time to lead his own group through a couple of shows at the Moonlight Tango Cafe on Tuesday night.

“This year has been a bear,” mock-grumbles Holman, the Grammy-winning arranger whose works have been recorded by Kenton, Woody Herman, Doc Severinsen and Natalie Cole, and about a hundred others.

Making “View” was a definite high point in his career, said Holman. And he did it in an unusual manner, culling pieces that his band had been playing regularly, rather than writing new works.

“We recorded what we considered was the best of the band’s book,” says Holman, who is known for writing compositions that are artful and complex blends of musicality and emotions. “And we recorded them as if they were a couple of sets at a gig, so that you get the stronger tunes toward the end. That was refreshing.”

At the Moonlight, Holman and his ace ensemble will offer pieces from “View,” such as the sinuously surging title track, the congenial and upbeat “Petaluma Lu” and the dark and forbidding “I Didn’t Ask.” There will also be old favorites like “Stomping at the Savoy,” written for Kenton in 1955. “When the energy is right, those pieces sound brand-new,” says Holman, “and you hear the energy and note the notes you wrote dozens of years ago.”

* The Bill Holman Band plays Tuesday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., at the Moonlight Tango Cafe, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. $13 cover for 7:30 p.m. show, $9 cover for 9:30 p.m., $9.95 food or drink minimum. (818) 788-2000.

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Side By Side Pisanos: John Pisano has discovered that while it takes just two to make a band, playing in a duet can mean hard, albeit rewarding, work. The guitarist performs tonight at Monteleone’s West with his wife, singer Jeanne Pisano. And he claims that he is enjoying the challenge that working without additional musical accompaniment offers.

“I’m learning a lot,” says Pisano, a charter member of Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass back in the ‘60s. “I’m in charge of the whole rhythmic thing, being the bass and drums,” he says. “But there’s a lot of freedom. We can quickly set moods, or change keys on the spot. Thank God Jeanne’s so strong. I can throw her all kinds of rhythmic shifts and she never misses a thing. We’re having a ball.”

Calling themselves the Flying Pisanos, because they often appear out of town, the guitarist and singer go with a repertoire of classic songs, from great pop standards such as “In the Still of the Night” and “Where or When,” to Brazilian favorites, such as Jobim’s “One Note Samba” and “Triste.”

The Pisanos, who live in the hills above Studio City, started performing soon after their marriage three years ago. The guitarist is glad they did. “Musically,” he says “I am enjoying myself more than ever.”

* John and Jeanne Pisano appear tonight, 7 to 11:30 p.m., at Monteleone’s West, 19337 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. No cover, $9.95 food minimum. Information: (818) 996-0662.

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Vespers Anniversary: A couple of years back, Steve Rowe instituted a jazz vespers service at the First Lutheran Church in Glendale. The program, called Jazz Celebrations, has been a smash success. Such notables as Billy Higgins, Black/Note, Bill Cunliffe and Cecilia Coleman have performed there.

“The church is a big, echo-y building,” Cunliffe says.

“You hit a note and it lasts a half an hour. And the audience was one of the finest I’ve ever had in my life.”

Cunliffe’s trio, and a quintet headed by drum master Joe LaBarbera, will perform on Sunday as part of the second anniversary of Jazz Celebrations. The program, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is free.

* Bill Cunliffe and Joe LaBarbera perform 6:30 p.m. Sunday, at First Lutheran Church, 1300 E. Colorado St., Glendale. Information: (213) 245-4000.