What does Stan Kenton have in common with the number 88? For starters, he was a “grand” pianist who played those 88 ivories the same way he led his band—with passion, precision and power! Secondly, the maestro would have celebrated his unofficial 88th birthday on February 19, 2000. To commemorate the occasion, this date marked the release of The Kenton Kronicles.

Penned by jazz archivist, writer, disc jockey and Kenton historian Steven D. Harris, this definitive biography (over a decade in the making) is a history, photograph, anecdote and reference book all in one! It documents the complete life and times of Stanley Newcomb Kenton—beloved band leader, pianist, composer, arranger and jazz educator. The book reads like a virtual encyclopedia of facts in covering the life story of “Modern America’s Man of Music,” his celebrated soloists and orchestras.

  • 396 pages in soft cover, 8 1/2 X 11 in size, 40 glossy photo pages.
  • 263 incredible (unpublished) black and white photographs
  • Full chronological interviews from over 100 musicians, family members
    and other related artists associated with the Kenton band.

    Foreword by Stan’s legendary writing companion, Pete Rugolo, who, through this unique and imaginative orchestrations, was greatly responsible for bringing Kenton’s sound to prominence.
    Color

Individual chapters on each of Kenton’s various orchestras:
  • In the Beginning (1911-40)
  • Birth of a Band (1940-45)
  • Artistry in Rhythm (1946-47)
  • A presentation of Progressive Jazz (1947-49)
  • Innovations in Modern Music (1950-51)
  • New Concepts (1952-54)
  • To Swing or Not to Swing (1954-57)
  • Balboa Revisited (1957-60)
  • Mellophonium Magic (1960-63)
  • Neophonic Impressions (1964-69)
  • Creative “Whirl” (1969-77)
  • The Final Bars (1978-79)

 
  • Over 35 transcribed radio and TV interviews from “Stan the Man” himself aptly titled “Kenton in Conversation.” Watch his career unfold with each chapter as Kenton tells his own life story, reminiscing on a variety of subjects.

  • A first-time video-filmography titled “Kenton on Camera” which documents over 125 appearances of Stan in films, television and private videos (with and without his orchestra) from 1936-78. This massive list spans over 40 years!
The Kenton Kronicles, as a First edition, was produced in a limited quantity of 1,000 copies.

Price is $50.00 plus shipping/handling.
For all overseas orders, price is $75.00.

  • Email me below to ask about availability.
  • Please Indicate how many books you want at $50.00
  • Compute shipping and handling ($6.95 ea)
  • Clearly write your shipping address!
  • Make checks (US Dollars, please) and money orders payable to:

Dynaflow Publications
148 N. Catalina Avenue #4
Pasadena, California 91106
(allow three weeks for delivery)

Steven D. Harris
sdhjazz@earthlink.net



 
ATTN: BIG BAND FANS! Two historic calendars in honor of two of the top jazz bandleaders of all time: STAN KENTON and WOODY HERMAN!

These fact-filled calendars honor the memory of two legendary heroes of the big band world: Stan Kenton and Woody Herman. Updated yearly, each calendar contains rare black & white photographs of these internationally known leaders and their exciting orchestras in action. Most of these historic shots are being published for the first time. Calendar size is 8 1/2 x 11 on glossy paper with high-resolution photos, each individually numbered and produced in a Limited Edition of only 250 copies, which will insure that each one is already a collector's item.

THE 2003 KENTON KALENDAR is devoted to Modern America's Man of Music--bandleader, pianist, composer, arranger and jazz educator. It contains over 350 historical dates and alumni background on Stan's star soloists and musicians between 1941-78, and includes over 25 unpublished photos of Kenton and his brilliant bands (this includes a special dedication page to June Christy). For the Kenton fanatic, the calendar offers an alphabetical, easy reference section titled the "Encyclopedia of Kentonia" which includes the instrument, tenure, birthdate and location of over 275 alumni. A must-have for all devoted Kenton fans.
THE 2003 WOODY HERMAN CALENDAR is dedicated to the famous bandleader, clarinetist and singer. It covers his complete 50-year career as a leader from 1936-87, as well as little known facts on his formative years when Woody was known as the "Boy Wonder of the Clarinet." It's also a profound information guide that features over 150 trivia dates on the maestro and his various bands, and over 250 entries on his many musicians and singers, known as the "Encyclopedia of the Herds." Like its companion calendar on "Stan the Man", it includes over a dozen rare, unpublished photographs of Woody and his swinging ensembles in action.
AN EXCELLENT HOLIDAY GIFT!
Jan Tober: was featured with the Kenton band for a short time during his golden years. She has appeared at the Kenton reunions in Los Angeles several times, singing some of the original charts (which she still has!).

This is her latest album I have the feeling I've been here before. It's a collection of fine jazz ballads accompanied by Jeff Linsky, award winning Concord artist. Some songs: The title tune, I have the feeling I've been here before, Interlude, Everytime we say goodbye, Where do you start, Interlude (A pete Rugolo tune), and My Romance.

There are 12 tunes total. CD only.

Price: $15 - Call 1-714-238-1199 to order.


Back to top