Customer Reviews

Live from Sweets Ballroom

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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.

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."

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.

There is no bass to boost, and the treble indicates why, according to the amusing notes, the string players were called "the mice" (a likely allusion to Disney's "Cinderella.") Please start your Kenton collection anywhere but here.