Stan Kenton Centennial Celebrated By Manhattan School Of Music Jazz Arts

contents

jazz

In honor of Stan Kenton's Centennial (he would have been 100 on December 15, 2011) Manhattan School of Music will be giving a two-concert series to celebrate. The first Kenton Centennial concert will be on Friday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the School's Borden Auditorium featuring Stan Kenton's orchestral music made famous by his Innovations Orchestra. The MSM Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Justin DiCioccio will be showcasing such works as City of Glass, Conflict, Improvisation, Artistry in Rhythm, Ennui, Amazonia, among others. Manhattan School of Music is one of the only conservatories world-wide that offers its students the experience of playing in a Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra that consists of a full orchestra plus a jazz big band.

In honor of Stan Kenton's 100th birthday (December 15, 1911-August 25, 1979), the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Arts Program will be presenting a two-concert Kenton Centennial series providing concertgoers a rare opportunity to hear the work of Stan Kenton, both for full orchestra and jazz big band.
The first concert of this Kenton 100th-birthday celebration will be presented on Friday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the School's Borden Auditorium. That evening, the MSM Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra and Justin DiCioccio will showcase the orchestral music created by Stan Kenton for Kenton's own Innovations Orchestra. Among the works programmed will be City of Glass, Conflict, Improvisation, Artistry in Rhythm, Ennui and Amazonia. Manhattan School of Music is one of the only conservatories world-wide that offers its students the experience of playing in a Jazz Philharmonic
Orchestra (a full symphony orchestra plus a jazz big band).

During the late 1940's and on through the 1950's, works by Kenton and his top composer/arrangers – Pete Rugolo, Bill Russo, Robert Graettinger and Bill Holman – ushered in a new era for orchestral jazz that knew no boundaries stylistically. A work included in the Kenton library during those years included Graettinger's City of Glass. Longtime MSM faculty member, the late Manny Albam was also a noted Kenton composer/arranger. Kenton's music would evolve with the times throughout the 1960's and 1970's, promoting jazz and jazz improvisation with the "Kenton Style."

Stan Kenton:
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was born on December 15, 1911 in Wichita, Kansas, later residing in Colorado and California. In June 1941, Kenton formed his first band, later referred to as "Artistry in Rhythm" from its theme song. This band developed into one of the best-known West Coast ensembles of the 1940's, with its distinct style and sound, sometimes thought to be controversial, later to become known as "The Wall of Sound."

write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Jazz News :: home page