R. Bush Loc: Ogden, UT

In the spring of 1969 I joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra and toured the midwest for a 6 week, 16,000 mile tour. We played back-to-back locations on only two occasions. We had but one day off, Memorial Day.

At that time I had a Pentax Spotmatic and the lens that came with it, a Super Takumar 50mm f1.4. I didn't even own a flash, so all pictures I took before and on the tour were taken in natural light. The film was either Kodak Plus X or Tri X.

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lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Do post more if you have them.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

What a wonderful experience that must have been for you.
Excellent photographs and Yes, post more if you have them.

Canon Cocker

What's your axe?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Looking at his UHH profile: "Occupation: retired woodwind musician. I play flute, clarinet, sax and bassoon. I have also been a band instrument repairman since 1975. I have taught privately for 59 years. Besides photography, my other main hobby is veggie gardening and cooking."

R. Bush Loc: Ogden, UT

At that time the band had 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, five trombones, piano, bass. drums and a congo/bongo drummer. I played the upper of the two baritone sax parts (book IV). Book five was a baritone/bass sax double. One of the voicings was a locked-octave doubling, with the lowest voice doubling the melody in the lead alto part. All other voices were voiced closely in-between these two. George Shearing used this voicing with piano, vibes and guitar for many years to get a very distinctive sound. Glen Miller used it with his baritone sax player playing the lead on clarinet and the fourth tenor doubling the clarinet for that distinctive Miller sound and Kenton used it some of the time for a distinctive Kenton sound. At other times the other bari player would play bass saxophone for a very spread sound. Also, two of the trombone books required the players to play trombones with F attachments. This extended their range downward. The trombone that played book V also doubled tuba to further expand downward the bottom end of all the brasses.

R. Bush Loc: Ogden, UT

Another from our rehearsals before leaving L.A. and two while on tour.

In rehearsal

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Canon Cocker

My musical history isn't that glamorous. I studied at Mich State Univ. Joined the Army Band program. Played worldwide and spent twelve years developing training, teaching and writing doctrine for army bands. I retired from that life in 1992. Being a trumpet player, I listened to the Kenton band, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich etc. Nice talking to you.

smilex3md

Great photographs! This takes me back. Stan Kenton was my father's favorite musician and pretty much what I grew up listening to. I moved on to rock and roll, but I still see the stack of 78's my father had.

Brow621 Loc: Texas

Stan Kenton's Band was, and still is, my favorite! I have lots of his music on my pc and listen often.
No one even comes close to Kenton. I live very near Denton, TX and North Texas University where all of his music etc. resides.

The Four Freshmen are his vocal equilevent.

jackare1933

i dont know much about music- but i do know what i like!!

Kenton was one of my first jazz stars. Plus, you can not get better than the Four Freshman!!
Still my favorite vocal group!!

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Neat images and story, R. Bush! Al (my hubby) remembers Stan Kenton, but I don't.