''The Innovations Orchestra'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...

's "Innovations" Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1950 and 1951. The CD includes the albums ''

Innovations in Modern Music ''Innovations in Modern Music'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton with his "Innovations" Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1950 and originally released on the Capitol label.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed Apri ...

'' and '' Stan Kenton Presents'' and was released by

Capitol A capitol, named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, is usually a legislative building where a legislature meets and makes laws for its respective political entity. Specific capitols include: * United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. * Numerous ...

in 1997.Vosbein, P
Stan Kenton Discography
accessed April 11, 2016Maynard Ferguson Discography
accessed April 11, 2016

Reception

The

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

review by Scott Yanow observed, "The music was quite uncommercial, complex, and advanced with the emphasis on the arrangements rather than the soloists". In

All About Jazz ''All About Jazz'' is a website established by Michael Ricci in 1995. A volunteer staff publishes news, album reviews, articles, videos, and listings of concerts and other events having to do with jazz. Ricci maintains a related site, ''Jazz Near ...

William Grim wrote, "The Innovations Orchestra was quite capable of swinging and it did much of the time. But it was also capable of producing music of an extraordinarily high quality that makes one think in addition to making one's toes tap".Grim, W
All About Jazz Review
November 13, 2002

Track listing

Disc one # "Mirage" (

Pete Rugolo Pietro "Pete" Rugolo (December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011) was an American jazz composer, arranger and record producer. Life and career Rugolo was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920 and settle ...

) – 4:59 # "Conflict" (Rugolo) – 4:27 # "Solitaire" (

Bill Russo William Joseph Russo (June 25, 1928 – January 11, 2003) was an American composer, arranger, and musician from Chicago, Illinois, United States. History A student of jazz pianist Lennie Tristano, Russo wrote orchestral scores for the Stan Ken ...

) – 4:17 # "Soliloquy" (

Johnny Richards Johnny Richards (born Juan Manuel Cascales, November 2, 1911 – October 7, 1968) was an American jazz arranger and composer. He was a pivotal arranger for some of the more adventurous performances by Stan Kenton's big band in the 1950s and e ...

) – 4:33 # "Theme for Sunday" (Stan Kenton) – 5:04 # "Amazonia" (

Laurindo Almeida Laurindo Almeida (September 2, 1917 – July 26, 1995) was a Brazilian guitarist and composer in classical, jazz, and Latin music. He and Bud Shank were pioneers in the creation of bossa nova. Almeida was the first guitarist to receive Gra ...

) – 4:39 # "

The Lonesome Road "The Lonesome Road" is a 1927 song with music by Nathaniel Shilkret and lyrics by Gene Austin, alternately titled "Lonesome Road", "Look Down that Lonesome Road" and "Lonesome Road Blues." It was written in the style of an African-American folk ...

" (

Nathaniel Shilkret Nathaniel Shilkret (December 25, 1889 – February 18, 1982) was an American musician, composer, conductor and musical director. Early career Shilkret (originally named Natan Schüldkraut) was born in New York City, United States, to parents ...

Gene Austin Lemeul Eugene Lucas (June 24, 1900 – January 24, 1972), better known by his stage name Gene Austin, was an American singer and songwriter, one of the early " crooners". His recording of " My Blue Heaven" sold over 5 million copies and was for ...

) – 4:30 # "Trajectories" (Franklyn Marks) – 3:34 # "Incident in Jazz" ( Robert Graettinger) – 3:31 # "Cuban Episode" (

Chico O'Farrill Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill (October 28, 1921 – June 27, 2001) was a Cuban composer, arranger, and conductor, best known for his work in the Latin idiom, specifically Afro-Cuban jazz or "Cubop", although he also composed traditional jazz pieces a ...

) – 4:46 # "Evening in Pakistan" (Franklyn Marks) – 3:44 # "Salute" (Rugolo) – 3:35 # "Mardi Gras" (Almeida,

Marion Sunshine Marion Sunshine (born Mary Tunstall Ijames, May 15, 1894 – January 25, 1963) was an American actress and songwriter. During her youth she worked in many films and Broadway musicals, as well as vaudeville and variety shows. In the 1930s she w ...

") – 3:07 # "In Veradero" (

Neal Hefti Neal Paul Hefti (October 29, 1922 – October 11, 2008) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger. He wrote music for '' The Odd Couple'' movie and TV series and for the ''Batman'' TV series. He began arranging professionally in his ...

) – 4:18 # "Jolly Rogers" (

Shorty Rogers Milton "Shorty" Rogers (born Milton Rajonsky; April 14, 1924 – November 7, 1994) was an American jazz musician, one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played trumpet and flugelhorn and was in demand for his skills as an arran ...

) – 2:40 # "Blues in Riff" (Rugolo) – 2:53 Disc two # "Cello-logy" (Almeida) – 4:35 # "Art Pepper" (Rogers) – 5:19 # "Halls of Brass" (Russo) – 5:01 # "Maynard Ferguson" (Rogers) – 4:18 # "Shelly Manne" (Kenton) – 4:30 # "June Christy" (Kenton) – 4:08 # "House of Strings" ( Robert Graettinger) – 4:18 # "Round Robin" (Rogers) – 2:41 # "Coop's Solo" (Rogers) – 3:15 # "Sambo" (Rogers) – 2:38 # "Ennui" (Russo) ive version– 3:39 # "Samana" (

Manny Albam Manny Albam (June 24, 1922 – October 2, 2001) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, record producer, and educator. Early life A native of the Dominican Republic, Albam grew up in New York City. He was attracted to jazz at an ea ...

) ive version– 3:51 # "Coop's Solo" (Rogers) ive version– 3:41 # "Salute" (Rugolo) ive version– 4:04 Recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA on February 3, 1950 (Disc One: tracks 1–6), February 4, 1950 (Disc One tracks 7–11), February 5, 1950 (Disc One: tracks 12–16), May 18, 1950 (Disc Two: tracks 1–3), June 5, 1950 (Disc Two: tracks 4 & 5) August 21, 1950 (Disc Two: track 6), August 24, 1950 (Disc Two: track 7), September 12, 1950 (Disc Two: track 8), and September 19, 1951 (Disc Two: tracks 9 & 10); and at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York on October 14, 1951 (Disc Two: tracks 11–14)

Personnel

– piano, arranger *

Alfred "Chico" Alvarez Alfred "Chico" Alvarez (February 3, 1920 – August 1, 1992) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and other bands. Life Alvarez was born in Montreal, grew up in Southern California. Upon graduation of high school, he at ...

(tracks: 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8), Buddy Childers (tracks: 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5),

Conte Candoli Secondo "Conte" Candoli (July 12, 1927 – December 14, 2001) was an American jazz trumpeter based on the West Coast. He played in the big bands of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, and Dizzy Gillespie, and in Doc Severinsen's NBC Orc ...

(tracks 2–9 to 2–14), John Coppola (tracks 2–9 to 2–14),

Maynard Ferguson Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often served ...

(tracks: 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14), John Howell (tracks 2–8 to 2–14), Don Paladino (tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5),

(tracks: 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8),

Stu Williamson Stu Williamson (May 14, 1933 – October 1, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter and valve trombonist. Born in Brattleboro, Vermont, Williamson was the younger brother of jazz pianist Claude Williamson. In 1949, he moved to Los Angeles, wh ...

(tracks 2–9 to 2–14) – trumpet *

Milt Bernhart Milt Bernhart (May 25, 1926 – January 22, 2004) was a West Coast jazz trombonist who worked with Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra, and others. He supplied the solo in the middle of Sinatra's 1956 recording of '' I've Got You Under My Skin'' conducted ...

(tracks: 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8),

Harry Betts Harry Betts (September 15 1922 – July 13 2012) was an American jazz trombonist. Background Born in New York and raised in Fresno, California, he was active as a jazz trombonist and played with Stan Kenton's orchestra in the 1950s. He can be hea ...

(tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14), Bob Fitzpatrick (tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14), Dick Kenney (tracks 2–9 to 2–14),

(tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14) –

trombone The trombone (german: Posaune, Italian, French: ''trombone'') is a musical instrument in the Brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's vibrating lips cause the Standing wave, air column ...

(tracks 1–4, 7 & 8) *Clyde Brown (tracks 2-2, 2–4, 2–5), George Roberts (tracks 2–9 to 2–14), Bart Varsalona (tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–8) –

bass trombone The bass trombone (german: Bassposaune, it, trombone basso) is the bass instrument in the trombone family of brass instruments. Modern instruments are pitched in the same B♭ as the tenor trombone but with a larger bore, bell and mouthpiece to ...

*Stan Fischer –

tuba The tuba (; ) is the lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece. It first appeared in the mid-19th century, making it one of the ne ...

(tracks 2–11 to 2–14) *

Bud Shank Clifford Everett "Bud" Shank Jr. (May 27, 1926 – April 2, 2009) was an American alto saxophonist and flautist. He rose to prominence in the early 1950s playing lead alto and flute in Stan Kenton's Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra and thro ...

alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in E, smaller than the B tenor ...

flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

(tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14) *

Art Pepper Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known ...

–

clarinet The clarinet is a musical instrument in the woodwind family. The instrument has a nearly cylindrical bore and a flared bell, and uses a single reed to produce sound. Clarinets comprise a family of instruments of differing sizes and pitches ...

(tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14) * Bob Cooper –

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (while th ...

oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range. A ...

, English horn (tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14) *Bart Caldarell – tenor saxophone,

bassoon The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuo ...

(tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–8 to 2–14) *Bob Gioga –

baritone saxophone The baritone saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of instruments, larger (and lower-pitched) than the tenor saxophone, but smaller (and higher-pitched) than the bass. It is the lowest-pitched saxophone in common use - the bass, contra ...

bass clarinet The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. Like the more common soprano B clarinet, it is usually pitched in B (meaning it is a transposing instrument on which a written C sounds as B), but it plays notes an octave bel ...

(tracks 1-1 to 1–5, 1–7 to 1–16, 2–2, 2–4, 2–5, 2–11 to 2–14) *Jim Cathcart (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Earl Cornwell (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7, 2–11 to 2–14), Phil Davidson (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Lew Elias (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Barton Gray (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Jim Holmes (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Seb Mercurio (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), George Kast (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Maurice Koukel (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Alex Law (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7, 2–11 to 2–14), Dwight Muma (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Danny Napolitano (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Herbert Offner (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Carl Ottobrino (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Charlie Scarle (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Dave Schackne (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Ben Zimberoff (tracks: 2–11 to 2–14) – violin *Stan Harris (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Paul Israel (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Leonard Selic (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Aaron Shapiro (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Sam Singer (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7), Dave Smiley (tracks 2–11 to 2–14) –

viola The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...

*Gregory Bemko (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7, 2–11 to 2–14), Zachary Bock (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7, 2–11 to 2–14), Gabe Jellen (tracks 2–11 to 2–14), Jack Wolfe (tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–7) – cello (tracks 1–4 & 6–8) *

(tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–4 to 2–6), Ralph Blaze (tracks 2–8 to 2–14) – guitar *

Don Bagley Donald Neff Bagley (July 18, 1927 – July 26, 2012) was an American jazz bassist. Career Bagley was born on July 18, 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received formal training on the double bass. He studied in Los Angeles and played in 1945 w ...

(tracks 1-1 to 2–2, 2–4 to 2–6, 2–8 to 2–14), Abe Luboff (tracks 2–11 to 2–14) – bass *

Shelly Manne Sheldon "Shelly" Manne (June 11, 1920 – September 26, 1984) was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, s ...

– drums,

tympani Timpani (; ) or kettledrums (also informally called timps) are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a membrane called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionally ...

(tracks 1-1 to 2–6, 2–8 to 2–14) * Carlos Vidal –

congas The conga, also known as tumbadora, is a tall, narrow, single-headed drum from Cuba. Congas are staved like barrels and classified into three types: quinto (lead drum, highest), tres dos or tres golpes (middle), and tumba or salidor (lowest) ...

(tracks 1-1 to 2–2) *Nestor Amaral, Ivan Lopez, José Olivera, Stenio Ozorio – percussion, vocals (tracks 1–13, 1–14) *

June Christy June Christy (born Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925June 21, 1990) was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a sol ...

– vocals (tracks 1–2, 1–7 & 2–6)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Innovations Orchestra, The Stan Kenton albums 1997 compilation albums Capitol Records compilation albums Albums arranged by Bill Russo Albums arranged by Shorty Rogers Albums arranged by Pete Rugolo Albums conducted by Stan Kenton