About one month ago, the Wall Street Journal reviewed two books (here) about orchestra leader Stan Kenton. The review described Kenton's music as "...essentially, art music." However described, it was great modern jazz, as the clip above demonstrates.
Until details of Kenton's private life were revealed in "Love Affair," the book by Kenton's daughter Leslie, Stan Kenton was thought to have been "...buttoned down and conservative." Evidently, he was neither.
What a nice clip to add to the article. Am no jazz expert, but have never heard a rhythm like his opening piano work. So we've got Joan Crawford, Bing, countless others who had unpleasant sides we didn't know about and some find this sacrilegious to seek it out now. I say we need to understand the whole person to understand the art. Plus, they made beaucoup bucks being public figures.
ReplyDeleteThe"Intermission Riff" is my favorite Kenton piece! Great blowing from the alto player and the entire horn section, even in disco suits!
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