Stan Kenton Alumni Band swings in on March 12



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Stan Kenton, circa 1951.

He was one of the all-time great big-band leaders of the ’40s, ’50s and beyond.  Stan Kenton was a swingin’, innovative hepcat of the first order, and his music was adventurous and wide-ranging,  from the days of the Stan Kenton Orchestra with such hits as “The Peanut Vendor,” the theme from “Laura” and “Tampico” to his later experimental phases with the Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra in the 1950s and his famous mellophone band in the early 1960s.  After his death in 1979, Kenton’s  music experienced a resurgence as young musicians – many in college – rediscovered Kenton’s old recordings and the “Kenton sound.”

The Stan Kenton Alumni Band – made up of many of the musicians who played in Kenton’s bands from 1956 to 1978, is also bringing his music back in a big way.  Led by Kenton’s former lead trumpeter Mike Vax, the Kenton Alumni Band swings into Chapman on Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m., for a concert  in Memorial Hall, presented by the Conservatory of Music.  Mark your calendars now – tickets are on sale, ranging from $10 to $40.  Call 714-997-6871 for tickets or more information.

Dawn Bonker

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