HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Big Band Sound of Stan Kenton

Birth of Modern Jazz: Stan Kenton

Stan Kenton

Born in Wichita, Kansas, on 15 December 1911, pianist, composer and band leader, Stan Kenton, started his career playing with dance bands in the thirties. He is thought to have first popped up on disc as a pianist in the Gus Arnheim Orchestra per a session on May 15, 1937, bearing such as 'The Image of You' and ''I'm Happy, Darling' (Brunswick 7900) with Ray Foster at vocals.

'The Image of You' Stan Kenton w Gus Arnheim & His Orchestra

Kenton's first recording

19 May 1937 Matrix 21173-1 Brunswick 7900

Trumpet: Charlie Spivak / Les Beigel / Ray Foster (vocal)

Trombone: Don Daniels / Ralph Copsey Clarinet: Joe Dixon

Alto sax: Bill Covey / Jack Shoop Tenor sax: Johnny Hamilton

Piano: Kenton Guitar: Lloyd Rainer

Bass: Manny Stein Drums: Lou Singer

Composition: Fred Ahlert / Joe Young

Sessions with Arnheim ensued into the summer of 1937 before Kenton joined the Vido Musso Orchestra in 1938, that followed by the Manny Strand Orchestra in 1939 and 1940. Sessions with Strand would eventually see release in 1999 as 'Night at Earl Carroll's'.

'Jig-a-Jive' ('Cavernism') Stan Kenton w Vido Musso & His Orchestra

Sometime May-June 1938 Hollywood Keystone transcriptions 162-A

See Dave & Schwegler 162 / Jazz Unlimited 204-2081 (CD)

Trumpet: Nick Buono / Benny Strickler / Ernie Figueroa or George Kennedy or Bob Prupas

Trombone: Don Daniels / Russell Brown

Alto sax: Jack Ordean / Ruel Lynch Tenor sax: Musso

Baritone sax: Bob Gioga Piano: Kenton

Bass: Howard Rumsey Drums: Andy Rhumbago Arrangement: Bill Sodeburg

'Upsy Daisy' Stan Kenton w Vido Musso & His Orchestra

Sometime May-June 1938 Hollywood Keystone transcriptions 162-A

See Jazz Unlimited 204-2081 (CD)

Trumpet: Nick Buono / Benny Strickler / Ernie Figueroa or George Kennedy or Bob Prupas

Trombone: Don Daniels / Russell Brown

Alto sax: Jack Ordean / Ruel Lynch Tenor sax: Musso

Baritone sax: Bob Gioga Piano: Kenton

Bass: Howard Rumsey Drums: Andy Rhumbago Arrangement: Bill Sodeburg

Kenton's name would come to be a household word while working largely as an orchestra leader whose highly prolific recording career saw 631 sessions, nearly all of them his own. Tom Lord's sessionography shows his first session as a leader circa September of 1940 likely in Hollywood, those unissued titles: 'Reed Rapture' and 'Body and Soul'. November 1 has him arranging a string of the titles with only 'Etude for Saxophones' issued in 1955 on 'The Kenton Era' [EP E0X 569/LP WDX 569/ Capitol sessions].

Another MBS broadcast had ensued on September 1 of 1941 before a Decca session on the 11th yielding 'Taboo' / 'Adios' (Decca 4038), et al. Putting the Boom! to Kenton's career that year were numerous transcriptions for MacGregor beginning on the 20th of 1947 with such as 'Artistry in Rhythm' and 'Two Guitars' getting issued on MacGregor Records LP 201 in December 1953 [Vosbein]. Kenton ran a nonstop dead-ahead operation in the decades to come, including international tours. The website, All Things Kenton, run by Terry Vosbein has archived radio broadcasts transcribed from 1942 through 1958 plus 1973.

'Taboo' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

11 Sep 1941 in Hollywood Matrix DLA 2751 Decca 4038

Piano: Kenton Arrangement: Kenton Composition: Kenton / Margarita Lecuona

'Reed Rapture' Stan Kenton Soundie film

Circa Sep 1942 in Hollywood Keystone transcriptions 162-A

IMDb

Most popular over the years for 'Artistry in Rhythm', this was Kenton's theme performed and recorded nigh continuously. Lord has Kenton first recording that unissued on 1 November 1944 in Hollywood. He recorded it next per his first big affair as a bandleader in 1941 upon getting booked at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, California. He began broadcasting from there on July 25 of 1941 for the Mutual Broadcasting System: 'Artistry in Rhythm' (composed by Kenton) and 'Reed Rapture' both saw issue on 'The Kenton Era' in 1955 (Capitol EP E0X 569/LP WDX 569).

'Artistry In Rhythm' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

Kenton's first Capitol session on 19 Nov 1943 Capitol 159

Piano: Kenton Composition: Kenton

Michael Sparke (Library of Congress)

Working with numerous arrangers and composers. Among them was Pete Rugolo whom Kenton acquired upon moving from swing toward progressive jazz. Rugolo's initial recorded arrangement for Kenton was 'Opus a Dollar Three Eighty' on 20 April 1944 in Hollywood for the AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Service). Working with a variety of female vocalists from 1941 onward, Kenton's partnership with Anita O'Day rung Billboard's bell at #4 in 1944 with 'And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine'. Come June Christy in 1945 with 'Tampico' at #2, they to issue several popular titles together in the next few years.

'And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

20 May 1944 in Hollywood Matrix 249-1A Capitol 166

Trumpet: John Carroll / Buddy Childers / Karl George / Dick Morse

Trombone: Harry Forbes / George Faye / Bill Atkinson / Bart Varsalona

Alto sax: Eddie Meyers / Chet Ball Tenor sax: Dave Matthews

Baritone sax: Maury Beeson Piano: Kenton (arrangement) Guitar: Bob Ahern

Bass: Gene Englund Drums: Jesse Price Vocal: Anita O'Day

Composition: Kenton / Charles Lawrence / Joe Greene

August of 1950 saw Kenton recording 'Orange Colored Sky' with Nat King Cole, that popping Billboard's #5 button in September [TsorT].

'Orange Colored Sky' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra w Nat King Cole

16 Aug 1950 in Hollywood Matrix 6513-6 Capitol 1184

Trumpet: Maynard Ferguson / Jimmy Salko / Buddy Childers / Chico Alvarez / Shorty Rogers

Trombone: Milt Bernhart / Harry Betts / Bob Fitzpatrick / John Halliburton / Herbie Harper

Alto sax: Bud Shank / Art Pepper Tenor sax: Bob Cooper / Bart Calderell

Baritone sax: Bob Gioga Piano: Cole (vocal) Guitar: Irving Ashby

Bass: Joe Comfort Drums: Shelly Manne

Bongos: Jack Costanzo Arrangement: Pete Rugolo

Composition: Milton DeLugg / Willie Stein

Another important arranger entered Kenton's sphere in 1950 in the figure of Bill Russo. Russo had contributed trombone to 'Salute' arranged by Rugolo on 30 January that year at the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles, that later issued on CD per Lighthouse LAJ1003 [Lord]. His first arrangements for Kenton may have been on 14 October 1951 per 'Improvisation', 'Ennui' and 'Halls of Brass'.

'Improvisation' Stan Kenton & His Innovations Orchestra

19 or 20 1951 Oct at Carnegie Hall in NYC Joyce 1080 / Laserlight 15 770

Probable personnel:

Trumpet: John Howell / Maynard Ferguson / Conte Candoli / Stu Williamson / John Coppola

Trombone: Bob Fitzpatrick / Harry Betts / Dick Kenney / Bill Russo / George Roberts

Flugelhorn: John Graas / Lloyd Otto / George Price

Reeds: Bud Shank / Art Pepper / Bob Cooper / Bart Calderall / Bob Gioga

Violin: Alex Law / Earl Cornwell / Phil Davidson / Barton Gray / Maurice Koukel,

Violin: Seb Mercurio / Dwight Muma / Danny Napolitano / Charles Scarle / Ben Zimberoff

Viola: Paul Israel / Aaron Shapiro / David Smiley

Cello: Gregory Bemko / Zachary Bock / Gabe Jellen

Piano: Kenton Guitar: Ralph Blaze

Bass: Don Bagley / Abe Luboff Drums: Shelly Manne (tympani) Arrangement: Bill Russo

Composition: Russo

'Ennui' Stan Kenton & His Innovations Orchestra

19 or 20 1951 Oct at Carnegie Hall in NYC Joyce 1080 / Laserlight 15 770

Probable personnel:

Trumpet: John Howell / Maynard Ferguson / Conte Candoli / Stu Williamson / John Coppola

Trombone: Bob Fitzpatrick / Harry Betts / Dick Kenney / Bill Russo / George Roberts

Flugelhorn: John Graas / Lloyd Otto / George Price

Reeds: Bud Shank / Art Pepper / Bob Cooper / Bart Calderall / Bob Gioga

Violin: Alex Law / Earl Cornwell / Phil Davidson / Barton Gray / Maurice Koukel,

Violin: Seb Mercurio / Dwight Muma / Danny Napolitano / Charles Scarle / Ben Zimberoff

Viola: Paul Israel / Aaron Shapiro / David Smiley

Cello: Gregory Bemko / Zachary Bock / Gabe Jellen

Piano: Kenton Guitar: Ralph Blaze

Bass: Don Bagley / Abe Luboff Drums: Shelly Manne (tympani) Arrangement: Bill Russo

Composition: Russo

Kenton acquired another important arranger in Bill Holman in 1952. Lord initially finds Kenton with Holman at tenor sax on 25 February of that year for 'Yes' / 'Mambo Rhapsody' (Capitol 2020). Notable in 1953 was a summer tour of Europe with Russo and Holman part of an all-star entourage including June Christy. Russo and Holman both composed and arranged titles toward 'New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm' recorded in September 1953 [Wikipedia]. Come the 1964 release of 'Kenton Showcase: The Music of Bill Russo'.

'Invention for Guitar and Trumpet' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

11 or 15 Sep 1952 in Chicago Matrix 10581 or 10581-60

Capitol Records H383

Trumpet: Buddy Childers /Conte Candoli / Don Dennis / Maynard Ferguson / Ruben McFall

Trombone: Bill Russo / Bob Burgess / Frank Rosolino / George Roberts / Keith Moon

Sax: Bill Holman / Bob Gioga / Lee Konitz / Richie Kamuca / Vinnie Dean

Piano: Kenton Guitar: Sal Salvador

Bass: Don Bagley Drums: Stan Levey Bongos: Denon Kenneth Walton

Composition: Holman

Vosbein has archived Kenton leading his orchestras at the Newport Jazz Festival from 1957 to 1978. As Kenton became something of a surveyor over American orchestral jazz he also evolved into the go-to guy who knew everyone and all that was happening among prominent artists, the man to see for musicians who needed something like a job.

'The Big Chase' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

5 July 1957 at Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island

See 'Stompin' At Newport' on Pablo PACD5312-2 (CD) 2002

Trumpet: Ed Leddy / Sam Noto / Lee Katzman / Phil Gilbert / Bill Catalano

Trombone: Kent Larsen / Archie LeCoque / Don Reed / Jim Amlotte / Kenny Shroyer

Alto sax: Lennie Niehaus Tenor sax: Bill Perkins / Wayne Dunstan

Baritone sax: Steve Perlo / Bill Robinson

Piano: Kenton Guitar: Sal Salvador

Bass: Red Kelly Drums: Jerry McKenzie

Composition: Marty Paich

Kenton directed his Mellophonium Orchestra from 1960-63. The mellophone is similar to the French horn and often used in marching bands. One album recorded during this period is 'Adventures in Standards' as of 1961, released on Creative World ST 1025 in 1975 [Discogs]. See also the compilation, 'Mellophonium Memoirs', issued on Tantara TCD-1133 in 2017. Come Kenton's album (without mellophones), 'Kenton | Wagner' [Discogs], in 1964.

Side 1 of'Adventures In Standards' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra Album

Album recorded 5-7/14 Dec 1961 in Hollywood

Titles:

'Some Enchanted Evening'

'Begin the Beguine'

'It's All Right With Me'

'Make Someone Happy'

'Old Devil Moon'

'Gigi'

Trumpet: Dalton Smith / Marv Stamm / Bob Behrendt / Bob Rolfe / Norman Baltazar

Trombone: Bob Fitzpatrick / Dee Barton / Don Reed / Newell Parker / Jim

Alto Sax: Gabe Baltazar Tenor sax: Paul Renzi / Buddy Arnold Bass sax: Joel Kaye

Mellophone: Ray Starling / Carl Saunders / Dwight Carver / Keith LaMotte

Piano: Kenton Tuba: Dave Wheeler

Bass: Pat Senatore Drums: Jerry Mckenzie

'Ride of the Valkyries' Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

From the album 'Kenton | Wagner' on Capitol Records STAO 2217

Album recorded 16-18/24 Sep 1964 in Hollywood

Trumpet: Bud Brisbois / Dalton Smith / Pete Candoli / Ronnie Ossa / Bobby Bryant

Trombone: Bob Fitzpatrick / Kent Larsen / John Halliburton / Jim Amlotte (bass)

Flugelhorn: Vince DeRosa / John Cave / Bill Hinshaw / Richard Perissi / Arthur Maebe

Alto sax: Lennie Niehaus Tenor sax: Bill Perkins / Buddy Collette

Baritone sax: Jack Nimitz Bass sax: Chuck Gentry

Piano: Kenton Tuba: Clive Acker

Bass: Joe Comfort Drums: Irv Cottler

Bongos / tympani: Frank Carlson Arrangement: Kenton

Composition: Wagner ('Die Walkuere') 1870

Continuing as a big band leader into the seventies, Lord's sessionography has Kenton playing piano with his orchestra to as late as 21 April 1978 at William Rainey Harper College. That was released posthumously as 'A Time for Love (The Final Chapter)' in 1994, as Kenton had passed away on August 25, 1979 [obit].