Kenton '76

Kenton '76 is one of the last two studio albums by American jazz musician Stan Kenton and his orchestra, released in 1976, by Creative World Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in Chicago on December 3–5, 1975. The album was recorded after the longest hiatus the band would have from the studio due to financial difficulties and Kenton's growing health problems.[1]

Kenton '76
Studio album by
Stan Kenton Orchestra
ReleasedMarch 1976
RecordedDecember 3–5, 1975
StudioUniversal Recording Studios, Chicago
GenreJazz, Big band, Fusion jazz
Length33:43
LabelCreative World Records,
GNP Crescendo
ProducerRobert Curnow
Stan Kenton Orchestra chronology
Fire, Fury and Fun
(1974)		 Kenton '76
(1976)		 Journey Into Capricorn
(1976)

Background

The take of Decoupage on the album is the third take, recorded on Dec 4; 10 takes of this Levy masterpiece were done over 2 days. Though the piece is one of the highlights for the band during that era, the solo by Terry Lane is weak and pointed out in later notes by Bob Curnow, "Stan did not hire most of the guys, Dick (Shearer) did. With some obvious exceptions, I don't believe the soloists in the 70's bands were the equal of the earlier bands."[1] Samba De Haps is the first of several works written by Mark Taylor that the Kenton band recorded for the last two studio albums; he would create a distinctive signature and a name that is well known in the music publishing world.[1]

Bob Curnow gives great credit to Hank Levy, "Time For A Change was a fantastic chart, the way it's put together, and the way the band swings within the meter. I don't mean swings necessarily in the traditional sense, but the way they play rhythmically, I think it's a hell of a chart. And if listen to the end of a Pat Metheny pieces called "Every Summer Night", it closes literally with the first four measures of 'Decoupage'." Curnow also comments on Kenton's health issues during that time, "Stan conducted the band through Holman's 'Tiburon'...Stan wasn't so quick to come to grips musically with what was happening. I was in the booth, and he was conducting, and it was a real struggle."[1]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Down Beat[2]
All Music Guide(favorable)[3]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Time For A Change"Hank Levy5:54
2."Send In The Clowns"Stephen Sondheim5:09
3."Tiburon"Bill Holman4:32
4."My Funny Valentine"Richard Rodgers6:12
5."Decoupage"Hank Levy4:35
6."A Smith Named Greg"Hank Levy6:29
7."Samba De Haps"Mark Taylor3:50

Send In The Clowns and My Funny Valentine arranged by Dave Barduhn.

Personnel

Musicians

Production

References
  1. Sparke, Michael; Venudor, Peter (1998). "Stan Kenton, The Studio Sessions". Balboa Books. p. 217 ISBN 0-936653-82-5.
  2. Down Beat, review. 1977. Supplied by All Things Kenton
  3. Review: All Music Guide. All Music Guide Scott Yanow

Bibliography
  • Sparke, Michael (2010). "Stan Kenton: This Is An Orchestra". Denton, TX: University of North Texas Press. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Sparke, Michael (1998). "Stan Kenton: The Studio Sessions". Lake Geneva, WI: Balboa Books. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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