Live At The Tropicana
Tuxedo Junction
(far better then the original)
(far better then the original)
This 1959 recording is one of the more controversial and contentious recordings of Stan’s career. First, the tension between band members was very high even resulting in fisticuffs between two of the trumpet players. There were numerous subs on the band, Trumpet player Jack Sheldon couldn’t stand the music and finally it was instrumental in getting long time trombone player Kent Larson fired. Kenton hated the recording, most of the band loved it. But it wasn't Kenton’s style. It simply swung too much. Kent Larson was a producer for Capital records and got the recording released. This so angered Stan that he fired Larson and shortened his stay with Capital.
Nevertheless, it is, in many people’s minds, one of the very best tan Kenton recordings of his career.
The 1959 Stan Kenton Orchestra, which boasted such soloists as trumpeter Jack Sheldon, altoist Lennie Niehaus, Richie Kamuca and Bill Trujillo on tenors and trombonist Ken Larsen, is heard in spirited form on this live LP. Performing arrangements mostly by Gene Roland along with one apiece by Johnny Richards, Niehaus and Kenton, the band plays some surprising material (such as "Tuxedo Junction" and "Street Scene") but mostly comes up with creative, fresh and concise statements. This is admittedly not one of the classic Stan Kenton recordings but is generally superior to his studio recordings of the period.
Bass – Red Kelly*
Drums – Jerry McKenzie
Leader, Piano – Stan Kenton
Saxophone – Bill Trujillo, Billy Root, Lennie Niehaus, Richie Kamuka*, Sturi Swenson*
Trombone – Archie LeCoque, Bill Smiley, Bob Olson, Jim Amlotte, Kent Larsen
Trumpet – Bud Brisbois, Frank Huggins, Jack Sheldon, Joe Burnett, Roger Middleton (2)
Drums – Jerry McKenzie
Leader, Piano – Stan Kenton
Saxophone – Bill Trujillo, Billy Root, Lennie Niehaus, Richie Kamuka*, Sturi Swenson*
Trombone – Archie LeCoque, Bill Smiley, Bob Olson, Jim Amlotte, Kent Larsen
Trumpet – Bud Brisbois, Frank Huggins, Jack Sheldon, Joe Burnett, Roger Middleton (2)
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