Birthday In Britain - Stan Kenton

 

The Daily Dance

Birthday In Britain

Stan Kenton and His Orchestra

Producers: Stan Kenton, Dick Shearer, Wally Heider

Wally Heider Recording - Hollywood, California

Recorded at Albert Hall, Nottingham, on February 19, 1973 and Fairfield Hall, Croydon, February 23, 1973

Creative World ST 1065

Saxophones - John Park, Richard Torres, Chris Galuman, Willie Maiden, Roy Reynolds

Trumpets - Dennis Noday, Paul Adamson, Frank Minear, Mike Snustead, Bob Winter

Trombones - Dick Shearer, Harvey Coonin, Lloyd Spoon, Mike Wallace, Phil Herring

Drums - Peter Erskine

Bass - John Worster

Latin Percussion - Ramon Lopez

Piano - Stan Kenton

From the back cover: February 19, 1973, was just another busy day for the Kenton Orchestra. They were on the last lap of a European tour that had taken them to Italy, Switzerland, and Holland, and now they were in England, following a whirlwind schedule that had them playing London, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Farnworth – one-nighters that seemed to be an endless series of late nights and long, sleepy bus trips to the next location.

February 19 was also Stan Kenton's 61st birthday, but he wanted no fuss made about it; it was to be business as usual. However, 18 sentimental musicians had a secret, and they planned to give their leader a birthday present he wouldn't forget.

The moment of truth arrived in Nottingham. The full-house audience was enthusiastic and receptive, and Stan felt the concert was going well. He went to the microphone to announce the fourth number. As Stan addressed the audience, Dick Shearer slipped out of his trombone chair, walked quietly up behind Stan, and gave a downbeat. The band responded perfectly – by launching into a stunning and obviously well-rehearsed arrangement of "Happy Birthday To You"!

Stan says his first bewildered reaction was, "What is happening?"; then he sank onto his piano bench in realization and total surprise, fighting back tears. The best-kept collective secret the Kenton Orchestra ever had was out in the open, and it was a toss-up who was most pleased – the men in the band, Leader Kenton, or an enchanted British audience.

Not by accident, Wally Heider, the noted American recording expert, and his assistant, Bill Haseltine, were present. It was Heider who had commissioned arranger Bill Holman to write the "Happy Birthday" chart as a surprise for Stan. It was also Heider who just happened to have airlifted 900 pounds of two-track electronic recording equipment from California to Britain, and it just happened that he, Haseltine, and two English friends, Reg Wing and Arnie Chadwick, were able to record the moment for posterity.

Birthday In Britain is, therefore, the happiest album Creative World has ever offered. There is joy in every note, and love in every breath. Happy Birthday, Mr. Kenton, from your Orchestra. – Audree Coke

Happy Birthday To You

Composed by Mildred and Patty Hill

Arranged by Bill Holman

Solos: Bob Winter (trumpet), Harvey Coonin (trombone)

The Daily Dance

Composed and Arranged by Bill Holman 

Solos: Richard Torres (tenor saxophone), Bob Winter (trumpet), John Park (alto saxophone), Peter Erskine (drums)

Street Of Dreams

Composed by V. Young and S. Lewis

Arranged by Stan Kenton

Solos: Stan Kenton (piano), John Park (alto saxophone)

Of Space And Time

Composed and Arranged by Hank Levy

Solo: John Park (alto saxophone)

For Better Or Worster

Composed and Arranged by Willie Maiden

Solo: John Worster (bass)

No Harmful Side Effects

Composed and Arranged by Willie Maiden

Solos: Harvey Coonin (trombone), Richard Torres (tenor saxophone)

Ambivalence 

Composed and Arranged by Hank Levy

Solos: Chris Galuman (flute), John Park (alto saxophone)

Blues, Between And Betwixt

Composed and Arranged by Hank Levy

Solos: Richard Torres (tenor saxophone), Peter Erskine, (drums)