Kenton's West Side Story - Stan Kenton

 

Taunting Scene

From The Creative World Of Stan Kenton Comes...

Kenton's West Side Story

Driving, Exciting Instrumental Versions Of Leonard Bernstein's Fabulous Score!

Produced by Lee Gillette and Kent Larsen

Cover Photo by Jack Harris

Capitol Records T 1609

1961

Personnel:

Trumpets: Ernie Bernhardt, Bub Brisbois, Conte Candoli, Bob Rolfe, Sanford Skinner & Dalton Smith

Trombones: Jim Amlotte, Bob Fitzpatrick, Jack Spurlock & Dave Wheeler

Mellophoniums: Dwight Carver, Gordon Davison, Keith Lamotte Gene Roland

Saxophones: Gabe Baltazar, Sam Donahue, Wayne Dunstan, Marvin Holladay & Paul Renzi

Tuba: Clive Acker

Bass: Peter Chivily

Drums: Jerry McKenzie

Latin Drums: George Acevedo

Utility Percussion: Larry Bunker & Lou Singer

From the back cover: If traditions were made to be broken, this album would never have come about. For example, according to recent convention, only small groups record jazz versions of show scores. What's more, show scores are typically the work of composers whose primary interest is writing for the theater. And finally, the subject of a musical comedy may be serious, but the ending must be upbeat.

Yet, here's Stan Kenton's dynamic big band, recording a jazz version of a score by the eclectic Leonard Bernstein (so talented not even he knows his primary interest), for a show which ends in stark tragedy! This album does grant traditionalists one major victory, however, it convincingly demonstrates that the Kenton band continues to evolve, continues to excite.

Just as it is inherent in Stan's band, so is excitement inherent in "West Side Story," both dramatically and musically. The plot – which is unfolded more completely below – is a modern paraphrase-with-liberties of "Romeo And Juliet." In it, the locale is New York's West Side, the warring factions are the Jets (an "American" street gang) and the Sharks (a Puerto Rican group), and the star-crossed lovers are Tony and Maria. It was within this tense frame that the original score operated.

So asking Kenton to adapt the score was only natural. Because excitement – with lyric interludes and Latin overtones – is a Kenton forte. The definitely Latin tone of the score also made it natural for Stan to ask Johnny Richards to work as arranger, since Johnny's original work, Cuban Fire Suite, has long been a successful Capitol album.

One more word is in order before the tune comments. You will be hearing an unfamiliar brass instrument in these selections. It's the mellophonium, much like a French horn and sounding between the trumpet and trombone ranges. It adds a most important element to the telling of "Kenton's West Side Story."

Prolog

Something's Coming

Maria

America

Tonight

Cool

I Feel Pretty

Gee, Officer Krupke

Taunting Scene

Somewhere - Finale