Stan Kenton - Back to Balboa CD

Back to Balboa CD music 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).

Back to Balboa album for sale At first glance, one might think that this album is another in a long line of standard-issue Duke Ellington compilations. However, this is a release created by the artist himself, and it presents sessions from May and June of 1960 with one of the best orchestras Ellington ever assembled. (Only the previously unissued "Harlem Air Shaft," one of five bonus tracks on the CD, was recorded in '61.) The title of this collection is also something of a misnomer, since PIANO IN THE BACKGROUND prominently features the piano throughout. Each track boasts fabulous bluesy piano introductions, and, at the end of each tune, the ivories usually get the last word. This dramatic conclusion sometimes comes in the form of a final blow to the lower register of the keyboard, as on "Mid-Riff," "Main Stem," and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)." These mysterioso rumblings of the piano make the tunes end with a kind of musical defiance not normally associated with jazz orchestras of the time. This is hard-swinging and inspired big-band music at its finest. Additional Tracks Liner Note Authors: Irving Townsend; Patricia Willard. Recording information: Columbia Studios, Los Angeles, CA (1960); Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, CA (1960). Photographer: Don Hunstein. Arrangers: Gerald Wilson; Bill Mathieu. Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Duke Ellington; Andres Merenghito, Andre Merenghito (trumpet); Lawrence D. Brown, Lawrence Brown (trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Aaron Bell (double bass); Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Eddie Mullens, Gerald Wilson, Ray Nance, Willie Cook (trumpet); Matthew Gee, Booty Wood, Britt Woodman (trombone); Juan Tizol (valve trombone); Sam Woodyard (drums). Audio Remixer: Mark Wilder.

Back to Balboa buy 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).

Back to Balboa songs THE STAGE DOOR SWINGS showcases Stan Kenton using the range and power of his big band to interpret 12 Broadway hits. Listeners might assume that a "Broadway Hits" set would find Kenton scaling back his usual progressive tendencies, but that is not the case. The arrangements by Lennie Niehaus are ambitious and at times grandiose, utilizing the full force of the 18-piece group. The set includes such familiar gems as Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Bali Ha'i," and Adler and Ross's "Whatever Lola Wants." There are several fine soloists, including Neihaus himself on alto sax on "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" and "Hey There." As usual, Kenton manages music that is harmonically advanced yet also highly melodic and swinging, making this a fine set for fans of Broadway musicals, big-band swing, and challenging large-ensemble arrangements. Recording information: Capitol Studios, Riverside Plaza Hotel, New York, NY (09/22/1958). Arranger: Lennie Niehaus. Personnel: Stan Kenton (piano); Stan Kenton; Stephen Perlow (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Bill Robinson (tenor saxophone); Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (baritone saxophone); Bill Catalano, Billy Catelano (trumpet); Bill Smiley, Billy Smiley, Bob Olson (bass trombone); Red Kelly (bass instrument); Lennie Niehaus (alto saxophone); Bill Perkins, Bill Trujillo (tenor saxophone); Jack Sheldon, Bud Brisbois, Frank Huggins, Al Sunseri (trumpet); Kent Larsen, Archie LeCoque, Jim Amlotte (trombone); Jerry McKenzie (drums). Liner Note Author: Michael Sparke.

Back to Balboa album for sale 2-on-1 release featuring albums originally released in 1961. Capitol. 2005.

Back to Balboa CD music Sax ala Carter! was originally released in 1960, and as the liner notes point out, was meant for a general audience. That means that the songs are popular standards and the renditions offered here are fairly short (none reach the four-minute mark). Having said all this, one might expect Sax ala Carter! to resemble cocktail jazz, but it doesn't. Instead, the listener is treated to an intimate set made up of fine ensemble work by Carter, pianist Jimmy Rowles, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Mel Lewis on favorites like "Far Away Places," "I Should Care," and "Everything I Have Is Yours." The solos by Carter and Rowles are compact, with both players sticking close to the melody line. Nonetheless, their solos are tastefully energetic and achieve an air of grace. Standouts include a bouncy take on "All or Nothing at All" and a soulful version of "I'll Never Smile Again." The walking bass of Vinnegar also adds buoyancy to the performances on Sax ala Carter!, guaranteeing that the music is always flowing freely. The 2004 release of the album adds three bonus cuts, "Ennui" and two takes of "Friendly Islands." Incredibly, this entire album was recorded in one day on February 5, 1960. A fun treat. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr. 1960 Remastered + 2 Bonus Tracks. Recorded at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California on February 5, 1960. Includes liner notes by Ed Berger. Benny Carter Quartet: Benny Carter (soprano, alto, & tenor saxophones); Jimmy Rowles (piano); Leroy Vinnegar (bass); Mel Lewis (drums). Personnel: Benny Carter (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, trumpet); Jimmy Rowles (piano); Mel Lewis (drums). Audio Remasterer: Malcolm Addey. Liner Note Author: Ed Berger. Recording information: Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, CA (02/05/1960).