Steven A. Cerra
"Some of the wise boys [i.e. Jazz critics] who say my music is loud, blatant, and that's all, should see the faces of the kids who have driven a hundred miles through the snow, to see the band ... to stand in front of the stand in an ecstasy all their own." And it is indisputable that Kenton does have an almost magnetic attraction for some and that, once pledged to the international Kentonian fraternity, the youngsters remain devout fans."
During an Easter Week break [known today as Spring Break], I was one of the kids who stood in front of the Kenton Orchestra in a state of ecstasy, although in my case the drive was only about 40 miles and there was no snow involved.
My trip took place under the clear blue skies of sunny Southern California because a high school buddy of mine worked for the Benge Trumpet Factory in the San Fernando Valley area north of Los Angeles and asked me if I wanted to make the drive with him to a rehearsal of the Stan Kenton Orchestra at the Rendezvous Ballroom Balboa/Newport Beach in Orange County to deliver a trumpet to Al Porcino who at the time was the lead trumpet player in the band.
It was quite an experience standing on the highly polished, football field size dance floor of the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa when the Kenton Band in all its might and glory let loose on Artistry in Rhythm [Stan’s theme song].
Spine-tingling would be an understatement; I was completely blown away by the power and the majesty of the Kenton Sound.
Still am.
Love Duke’s imaginative arrangements; Basie’s swing; Woody’s Band That Plays The Blues: but the music of the Stanley Newcomb Kenton Orchestra at its best was electrifying.
It’s quite remarkable to look back on many of the comments in this piece from the standpoint of 2016, an era of instant, consistent and persistent communication.
Another aspect of Ralph Gleason’s interview with Stan Kenton that may impress you is how dedicated Stan was to his music and his career in it.
read more: http://jazzprofiles.blogspot.com.br/2016/01/stan-kenton-relentless-searcher.html
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