That trombonist at 2'30" obviously loved and studied the music of Milt Bernhardt. A wonderful sound. I am sure Mr Kenton himself would have been impressed.
I was privileged to play with an Air Force Band and loved it. Many unforgettable cherished moments. Oh how I wanted to play with The Airmen of Note but never received that honor. They were and are the finest "big band" military band ever! Still, I did play with a designated "swing band" rather then a marching band. There were 16 of us at Edwards Air Force Base in California. We played many Kenton Charts. We also got original charts from bands like Les Brown and Harry James. Cherished memories for ever.
I watched the Air Force Band In a shopping mall looking over the keyboard players shoulder at the music THE SWINGER by Don Sebesky I also heard the West Point Jazzz band at 2 out door concerts doing a lot of Woody Herman stuff Stan Kenton stuff and Maynard stuff
Thanks for your service Carl. I too was a USAF bandsman/musician, trpt. I played with the 504th Central Air Defense Command band (KC, MO), then the 519th Northern Air Defense Command band (Keflavik, Iceland). The 504th was a decent band, the 519th outstanding. We had several groups playing out of the 17-pc big jazz band; a Dixieland band with whom I played, a 7-pc jazz combo, a 14-pc 'tenor band,' and the 17-pc big band. The 519th had a great specials book. My last two years were were the 'Blue Eagles,' the USAF Drum and Bugle Corps.
As an old fan of Stan Kenton from Ireland, the Airmen of note came as a surprise as I never heard of them. They did capture the music & the mood of the original band ,they are brilliant. Many thanks for posting. From a very happy old timer
Track listing Artistry Theme 23 Degrees North by 82 Degrees West Frank Speaking The Peanut Vendor (with vocalist Paige Martin) A Lot of Livin' To Do Daydream Medley: Eager Beaver>(stumped me)>Artistry in Bossa Malaguena Little Minor Booze America the Beautiful Machito Air Force anthem
Good stuff! Excellent musicianship and a great book to boot. Makes me very proud to have been a part of the USAF field band system. These guys were always there as a benchmark to achieve. Kenton... what a musical mind and soul!
I heard Stan Kenton and his orchestra about 1956 at a cinema in York, UK. The venue was owned by the father of John Barry ( Prendergast ) the composer. John Barry had studied under Bill Russo who wrote for SC. I still recall the absolute shock of the first sounds of the orchestra.
Wonderful to see Airmen of Note paying tribute ~ faithful to Kenton style circa early mid 1950s. Kentons so individual trombone sound taking the honours Kentons sound works so well in these concertised programmes featuring the bands brass oriented arrangements. So longs as concerts like this continue the story and future of jazz dont seem so precarious
I just wish we had bands that played Mr k music as good as this in UK. in the 50s there were a few, but theres only one Stan. I spoke to some US on ascension & they liked beatles the best! come on whats going on--no taste. for me the big man goes back to the early 50s. they were the days Gerry
Music appreciation is simple., If you happen to be born shallow, a bit on the scatterbrained side, then there's a musical form just for you. It's called 'pop'. If you're rather pompous and patronizing towards other who do not share your superior knowledge of everything, then the are the 'Classics'. For the easy-going but lovable there are ballads galore to indulge in. Jazz is something special.Subtle yet brash. Deep but often sweet enough to taste. All emotions of the human being are encompassed in that wonderful culture, right up to the dizzy heights of the genius.
So, you don't like classical music fans? You're a jerk! And, most of us classical fans ALSO love Jazz! It's the quality of the writing and performance that matter, not the style. There are many beautiful pieces written by Indians - the Asian kind. And, some Japanese "styles" can be very nice on the ear. As far as Pop goes, my all-time favorites include Good Vibrations, and almost anything Chuck Berry did. Yet, I USUALLY listen to Richard Strauss, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Gustav Mahler, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Bartok, and on and on. So, stuff your close-minded attitude!
Igot my love of big band and in particular stan kenton by listening to the amican forces network in the 1950s ialso the band live on 3 unforgettable occasions
Sure not as impressive as what I listened to in the 50s, but I had just turned 14 and the Kenton band I heard live in Chicago blew my mind. I followed his bands for many years. This band was really impressive however. At times they sounded just as I remembered. Thumbs up.
O.K. but without the dynamics, the feel and understanding - most of all they are missing the best in Fergerson - it sounds like what it is - a military band trying........
Agreed - mechanical and uninspired. Kenton always had this lava like shit bubbling under the surface, waiting to erupt - even on a ballad. This just seemed flat. Compare this to Live At Redlands for instance.
+Ken Swan: this is actually a Bass Saxophone. I am a bit frustrated that users don't seem to know or understand this. This horn is difficult; it was used frequently in big bands thru the 1950s. Very very well-played here too.
