Stan Kenton: 1950-1951

For many fans of Stan Kenton, his New Concept of Artistry in Rhythm album (recorded in 1952) is their listening starting point. More intensive fans like to dip into his 1940s discography, which includes Eager Beaver, Tampico, Intermission Riff and Southern Scandal, allowing them to fully appreciate the evolution of Kenton's wall-of-sound approach. As for the years 1950 and 1951, they are generally ignored. [Publicity still above of Stan Kenton]

The primary reason for this Kenton listening gap are three outdated albums—Innovations in Modern Music (1950), Stan Kenton Presents (1950) and City of Glass (1951). All featured music that was largely swing-less and loaded down with strings and modern classical motifs. Today, most of the tracks are widely considered ponderous and overbearing.

But ignoring this two-year period, wholesale, would be a terrible mistake. In between the heavy, long-hair stuff, the Kenton band recorded some stunning songs with electrifying arrangements by Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Stan Kenton and Gene Roland. [Photo above, from left, of Art Pepper and Shorty Rogers in 1952]

Let's listen to 10 stunning Kenton 78s from this period:

Here's Shorty Rogers's arrangement of Jolly Rogers in 1950...



Here's Rogers's Jam-bo, with Nat King Cole on piano, in 1950...



Here's Rogers's Viva Prado in 1950



Here's Rugolo's arrangement of Love for Sale in 1950...



Here's Rogers's Round Robin in 1950...



Here's Kenton's arrangement of Something New (aka Sunset Tower)...



Here's Rugolo's Theme for Alto, with Bud Shank playing the solo, in 1951 (I'll have to play this next time I'm driving through L.A. at night)...



Here's Kenton's Night Watch in 1951...



Here's Kenton's arrangement of Ray Wetzel's Dynaflow, in 1951...



Here's Gene Roland's arrangement of Jump for Joe, with an alto saxophone solo by Art Pepper, in 1951...