Stan Kenton - Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 CD

Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 songs When bandleader Stan Kenton was approached to record an album of holiday music in 1961 he agreed, on one condition -- no songs about singing snowmen or flying reindeer. The resulting album, A Merry Christmas, is a polyphonic masterpiece that is at once progressive and traditional. Included are such well-known classics as "O Tannenbaum" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as well as lesser known gems like "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Once in Royal David's City." Featuring Kenton's idiosyncratic style of arranging piercing trumpets over a wooly blanket of trombones and mellophones, this is beautiful, forward-thinking and angular music that addresses both complex classical harmony and Basie-style swing. Epitomizing this is the intricate and delicate harmonic dissonance on "O Come, All Ye Faithful," a must-hear for Kentonites. As a bonus, the album includes Kenton regular trumpeter Maynard Ferguson's stellar 1960 medley "Christmas for Moderns," which features the high-note master's hip takes on such other holiday nuggets as "White Christmas and "Jingle Bells." Fans should also get a kick out of Kenton's humorous 1963 spoken word piece "What Is Santa Claus?." ~ Matt Collar Recorded at Capitol Studios, Goldwyn Sound Stage, Los Angeles, Caifornia and Capitol Studios, New York, New York between October 14, 1960 & April 11, 1963. Originally released on Capitol (1621). Personnel: Stan Kenton (piano, celesta); Joe Gibbons (guitar); Rubin Decker, Gareth "Garry" Nuttycombe, Allan Harshman (violin); Cecil Figelski (viola); Lanny Morgan (alto saxophone); Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (tenor saxophone); Frank Hittner (baritone saxophone); Bob Rolfe, Larry McGuire, Dalton Smith, Jerry Tyree, Chet Ferretti, Sanford Skinner, Maynard Ferguson, Rick Kiefer, Bud Brisbois (trumpet); Bob Fitzpatrick, Kenny Rupp, Paul Heydorff, Slide Hampton, Tommy Shepard (trombone); Dave Wheeler, Jim Amlotte, Bob Knight (bass trombone); Clive Acker, Albert Pollan (tuba); Jaki Byard, Jimmy Rowles (piano); Rufus "Speedy" Jones (drums, bells); Frank Carlson, Art Anton, Jerry McKenzie (drums); Larry Bunker, Emil Richards (percussion, bells). Recording information: Capitol Studios, New York, NY (10/14/1960-04/11/1963); Goldwyn Sound Stage, LA (10/14/1960-04/11/1963). Arrangers: Ralph Carmichael; Stan Kenton; Willie Maiden. Personnel: Stan Kenton (spoken vocals, piano, celeste); Lanny Morgan (alto saxophone); Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (tenor saxophone); Frank Hitner (baritone saxophone); Maynard Ferguson, Chet Ferretti, Jerry Tyree (trumpet); Bob Fitzpatrick, Paul Heydorff, Robert Knight, Tom Shepard (trombone); Jimmy Rowles (piano); Charlie Saunders, Hy Lesnick, Pete Chivily (bass); Rufus Jones (drums, bells); Jerry Lestock McKenzie, Art Anton, Frank Carlson (drums); Larry Bunker, Emil Richards (percussion, bells).

Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 CD music This is one of the less important Stan Kenton LP reissues on Creative World. Six veteran standards (all arranged by Bill Holman) and Gerry Mulligan's "Limelight" (with a chart from its composer) were adapted for the 1955 Stan Kenton Orchestra; all but "Limelight" are currently available on CD. The music swings well (with drummer Mel Lewis pushing the rhythm section) and such talented soloists as altoists Charlie Mariano and Lennie Niehaus, tenor-saxophonist Bill Perkins, trombonist Carl Fontana and trumpeters Sam Noto and Stu Williamson are well-featured. Nothing all that innovative occurs but this accessible set should be of interest to fans of bop (in addition to Kenton's loyal audience) who do not already have the music on CD. ~ Scott Yanow Recorded at Universal Studios, Chicago, Illinois; Goldwyn Studios and Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California on July 20 & 22, 1955 and February 9 & December 12, 1956. Includes liner notes by Michael Sparke. Personnel: Stan Kenton (piano); Ralph Blaze (guitar); Lennie Niehaus, Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone); Richie Kamuca, Bill Perkins, Spencer Sinatra (tenor saxophone); Don Davidson, Jack Nimitz, Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Phil Gilbert, Bobby Clark , Don Paladino, Al Porcino, Pete Candoli, Sam Noto, Stu Williamson , Ed Leddy, Lee Katzman (trumpet); Fred Fox , Irving Rosenthal (French horn); Bob Fitzpatrick, Kent Larsen, Gus Chappell, Jim Amlotte, Carl Fontana (trombone); Don Kelly, Kenny Shroyer (bass trombone); Jay McAllister (tuba); Mel Lewis (drums). Liner Note Author: Michael Sparke. Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA (07/20/1955-12/12/1956); Goldwyn Studios, Los Angeles, CA (07/20/1955-12/12/1956); Universal Studios, Chicago, IL (07/20/1955-12/12/1956). Arrangers: Gene Roland; Gerry Mulligan; Stan Kenton; Bill Holman. Personnel includes: Stan Kenton (arranger, piano); Bill Holman, Gerry Mulligan, Gene Roland (arranger); Charlie Mariano, Lennie Niehaus (alto saxophone); Bill Perkins, Dave Van Kriedt (tenor saxophone); Don Davidson (baritone saxophone); Sam Noto, Stu Williamson, Al Porcino, Ed Leddy (trumpet); Carl Fontana, Bob Fitzpatrick, Gus Chappell, Kent Larsen (trombone); Ralph Blaze (guitar); Max Bennett (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 buy CD music For this LP, Stan Kenton's Orchestra performs seven Johnny Richards arrangements and two from Marty Paich, along with Bill Holman's "Royal Blue." The 1958 Kenton big band had several excellent soloists, and there is a generous amount of individual space for tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins, altoist Lennie Niehaus, trumpeter Sam Noto, and trombonist Archie LeCoque, among others, during a set dominated by modern versions of standards. Well-played if not quite essential music. ~ Scott Yanow Ori Release '58, Remastered 2004 with 4 bonsu trax . Includes liner notes by Michael Sparke. Personnel: Stan Kenton (piano); Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Lennie Niehaus (alto saxophone); Richie Kamuca, Bill Perkins (tenor saxophone); Stephen Perlow (baritone saxophone); Phil Gilbert, Bill Catalano, Jules Chaiken, Sam Noto, Lee Katzman (trumpet); Jimmy Deckker, Vincent DeRosa (French horn); Bob Fitzpatrick, Kent Larsen, Don Reed , Archie LeCoque, Jim Amlotte (trombone); Kenny Shroyer (bass trombone); Jerry McKenzie (drums). Audio Remasterer: Ron McMaster. Liner Note Author: Michael Sparke. Recording information: Rendezvous Ballroom, Balboa Beach, CA (1958). Arrangers: Joe Coccia; Johnny Richards ; Marty Paich; Stan Kenton; Bill Holman. Personnel includes: Stan Kenton (piano); Bill Robinson (alto & baritone saxophones); Lennie Niehaus (alto saxophone); Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca (tenor saxophone); Steve Perlow (baritone saxophone); Sam Noto, Phil Gilbert, Lee Katzman, Billy Catalano, Jules Chaiken (trumpets); Kent Larsen, Jim Amlotte, Don Reed, Archie LeCoque (trombone); Ken Shroyer (bass trombone); Red Kelly (bass); Jerry McKenzie (drums).

Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 album for sale Although Bill Holman is one of the all-time great arrangers and the leader of a stirring big band in the Los Angeles area, this was his first recording as a leader in seven years. Performed at a Maynard Ferguson tribute convention/festival put on by Ken Poston, the music played by the Bill Holman Orchestra is a little more boppish than usual for a Holman set, particularly the romping "Zoot 'n' Al," a tribute to Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. However, Holman's arrangements are quite complex, full of surprises and full of excitement. Whether it be a major reworking of the Beatles' "A Day in the Life" and Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee," or such originals as "Woodrow" (for Woody Herman) and "The Bebop Love Song," the music is full of surprising twists and turns. The solos are uniformly excellent from the impressive crew of Los Angeles-area players, but it is the Holman arrangements that are most unique. Highly recommended to fans of modern jazz big bands. ~ Scott Yanow Grammy Award winning Arranger and Band Leader Bill Holman brings us his jazz big band recorded live in 2004. Bill Holman introduces many new and exciting compositions and arrangements with his star packed LA based jazz big band. The Bill Holman Band is considered one of the greatest working big bands in jazz today: "This is the first album since 1997 by The Bill Holman Band. Why there was so long an interregnum between recordings by an essential cultural institution requires a discussion of conditions in the music industry and the society at large. You will not find that discussion here. Let us simply shout hooray, and praise impresario Ken Poston for including the band in one of his periodic jazz events, and Graham Carter of Jazzed Media for capturing the performance. Typical of how a slightly older generation of arrangers regards Holman is something the late Ralph Burns told me about Willis's writing: "It's pure jazz, but he writes everything very classically. It's linear and simple and clear." From one younger arranger, Bill Kirchner: "His linear concepts are among the most important innovations ever used in a jazz orchestra," and another, Don Sebesky: "I hear nothing, past or present, that comes close to (his writing) because he combines the objective and subjective parts of music into a seamless whole." From a contemporary, Bob Brookmeyer: "Of all the other peoples' music I've played in my life, I'd rather play Bill Holman's. He makes it such a delight. It's so naturally well crafted that it speaks when you play it." Some of the members of the 2004 edition of the band are new since Holman's last recording, but the musicianship and camaraderie are on the same high plane. In the course of the concert recording, Willis introduces the band and identifies the soloists. To shanghai the nearest applicable cliche, the music speaks for itself."Doug Ramsey Bill Holman: Bob Efford (reeds); Bob Summers, Pete DiSiena (trumpet); Joel Hamilton (double bass); Christian Jacob, Lanny Morgan, Andy Martin, Ron Stout, Ray Herrmann, Bob Enevoldsen, Jack Redmond, Craig Gosnell, Bruce Babad, Doug Webb, Kevin Kanner, Carl Saunders. Personnel: Lanny Morgan, Ray Herrmann, Bruce Babad, Doug Webb (reeds); Ron Stout, Carl Saunders (trumpet); Andy Martin, Bob Enevoldsen, Jack Redmond, Craig Gosnell (trombone); Christian Jacob (piano); Kevin Kanner (drums). Audio Mixer: Rod Nicas. Liner Note Author: Doug Ramsey. Recording information: LAZ Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Los Angeles, CA (09/30/2004). Arranger: Bill Holman.

Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 CD music The third of three volumes of double CDs put out by the Stan Kenton-oriented Tantara label is the most exciting of the trio. The first disc features the 1962 Kenton Mellophonium Orchestra playing at its best, mostly playing standards and a few numbers from West Side Story in addition to Gene Roland's "The Blues Story," Dee Barton's "Waltz of the Prophets," and Ray Starling's "Mellophobia." The band sounds enthusiastic during this concert. But particularly special are the selections from the Trinity Big Band. Recorded in the 1990s, the British band with guest soloists altoist Peter King, trombonist Mark Nightingale, and trumpeter Gerald Presencer perform the full-length Johnny Richards suite "Cuban Fire" with enthusiasm, creativity, and power. There are also six selections recorded at a later time with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler making a rare appearance in this modern mainstream setting. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow Start with Stan Kenton's early 60\'s Mellophonium Orchestrapainting gorgeous hues in its ballad interpretations,swinging mightily on up-tempo charts and sizzling intheir readings of concert pieces. Now add a professional-grade collegeensemble playing very demanding and elegantmaterial with precision and passion. Mix in a 14-page booklet with appealingunpublished photos, thorough essays outlining thehistory of horn use by the Kenton band and Stan'smajor contributions to jazz education, along withvery creative graphic design. And lets not forget that must-have finalingredient..... exceptional sound reproduction!This tasty blend results in one of the mostexhilarating, profound and visually attractivemulti-disc big band jazz packages ever released. Recording information: Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, Long Island, NY (07/02/1962). Director: Bobby Lamb. Arrangers: Ray Starling; Johnny Richards ; Stan Kenton; Bill Holman. Personnel: Stan Kenton (piano); Simon Hutchins, Gabe Baltazar, Gerard Presencer, Mark Nightingale, Peter King (alto saxophone); Pelham Wood, Victoria Green, Ray Florian, Jason Mathias, Fiona McGregor, Charlie Mariano (tenor saxophone); Kate Osborne, Allan Beutler, Claire McInerey (baritone saxophone); Allan Amlotte, Joel Kaye (bass saxophone); Kenny Wheeler (trumpet, flugelhorn); Joe Auckland, Benny Cummings, Dalton Smith, Bob Behrendt, Mike OMeara, Steve Jones , Dave Peers, Alistair Walker, Damian Simpson, Stephen Jones , Darren Wiles, Ian Taylor, Keith LaMotte, Marvin Stamm, Billy Briggs, Nick Etwell (trumpet); Huw Evans, Dave Laurence, Aiden McConville, Steve Reading, Andy Harris, Philip Eastop, Marcus Bates (French horn); Bob Fitzpatrick, Neil Hadden, Dave Liddell, Alex Hewins, Bud Parker, Mathew Horner, George Murray, Peter North, Oliver Druker, Tom Ringo, Owen Rees (trombone); Dave Wheeler (bass trombone, tuba); Adrian Miotti, Johnathan Rees (tuba); Matthew ORegan (piano, keyboards); Ross Taggart, Johnny Richards (piano); Dee Barton, James Gambold, Mark Allis (drums); Martin Briggs (congas); Corrina Silvester (bongos); Adam Dennis, Lyndsy Evans (claves, maracas); Mez Clough (cowbells, timbales); Lawrence Clarke (timpani); Fabian Beard, Jason Hollings (percussion). Liner Note Authors: Terry Vosbein; Tony Middleton ; Bobby Lamb.

Horns of Plenty, Vol. 2 buy CD music Recording information: 01/04/1965. Personnel: Laurindo Almeida (guitar); Jack Nimitz, Bill Perkins, Bud Shank (reeds); Conte Candoli, Dalton Smith, Al Porcino, Ray Triscari, Ollie Mitchell (trumpet); Arthur Maebe, Richard Perissi, Bill Hinshaw, Vincent DeRosa, John Cave (French horn); Red Callender (trombone, tuba); Milt Bernhart, Bob Fitzpatrick, Frank Rosolino, Jim Amlotte (trombone); Michael Lang , Friedrich Gulda (piano); Shelly Manne (drums); Frank Carlson (percussion). Liner Note Author: Terry Vosbein.