Innovations Orchestra

Stan Kenton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 25, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005HAR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #70 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Instrumental Pop & Lounge

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Mirage

2. Conflict

3. Solitaire

4. Soliloquy

5. Theme For Sunday

6. Amazonia

7. Lonesome Road

8. Trajectories

9. Incident In Jazz

10. Cuban Episode

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Cello-logy

2. Art Pepper

3. Halls Of Brass

4. Maynard Ferguson

5. Shelly Manne

6. June Christy

7. House Of Strings

8. Round Robin

9. Coop's Solo

10. Sambo

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent`, March 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Innovations Orchestra (Audio CD)

These are the original recordings of the Kenton Innovations Orchestra of 1951-51, beautifully presented on CD. A classic in its time, the double album still thrills. Arrangements are by Pete Rugolo, Shorty Rogers, Laurendo Almedia, and others. The band includes Maynard Ferguson, Bud Shank, Art Pepper, Shelly Manne, and Bob Cooper. Vocals are by June Christy, in her prime.

No jazz library is complete without this. Kenton fans: Buy it before it's gone.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still progressive after all these years, April 6, 2008

By 

James A. Vedda (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Innovations Orchestra (Audio CD)

This collection of recordings from 1950-51 chronicles what was arguably Kenton's best band and his most creative period. This two-disc set has 30 tracks that showcase not only superb big band arrangements, but also brass ensemble, string ensemble, and 40-piece jazz orchestra. This unique work retains its innovative character even though more than half a century has elapsed since its recording.
Your own tastes will determine how much of this set you will savor over and over again, and how much you will listen to once and say, "Okay, that was interesting..." For me, it was about half and half. Personally, I don't care much for the June Christy vocals or the strings-only pieces. But the 14 tracks from this set that now populate my iPod are absolutely brilliant. The composer/arrangers include Pete Rugolo, Bill Russo, Neal Hefti, Johnny Richards, Manny Albam, and others, but my favorite of the lot is Shorty Rogers. Not to be missed are Shorty's arrangements "Maynard Ferguson," "Art Pepper," "Coop's Solo" (featuring tenor man Bob Cooper), "Sambo" (a combination samba and mambo), and two screaming ensemble charts with catchy riffs and great solos, "Jolly Rogers" and "Round Robin." Another highlight for me is Russo's "Halls of Brass," which is not jazz but rather a very challenging piece of art music for brass ensemble.
Tracks that were formerly available only by acquiring multiple albums are conveniently collected here. To capture the best of this era of the Kenton band, pick up this set and "New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm."

4.0 out of 5 stars Stan Kenton's Innovations Orchestra, March 16, 2011

By 

Gordon N. Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Innovations Orchestra (Audio CD)

A fascinating and worthwhile listening experience for an underserved section of jazz fans. Original compositions from 1950 by Pete Rugolo, Shorty Rogers, Laurindo Almeida and others. Some are certainly not jazz, but instead are Milhaud-influenced modern "classical" music with Kenton's short-lived full string (16 piece) orchestra, along with the band.