Stan Kenton Revisited

Stan Kenton Revisited

Author: Frank Miller September 23, 2023 Duration: 59:54
It has been awhile since I presented a program on the late Stan Kenton so I wanted to go back and revisit some of his music again. As a musician it was his band from the 1950's that I enjoyed listening to the most. However, on today's show I'm going back to those great Kenton classics from the 1940's. I have really come to enjoy the vocals of Anita O'day and June Christy when they were the vocalists with his band. I hope you will enjoy listening to this great music and learning about the career of the late Stan Kenton.

Frank Miller's Big Band Bash is a deep, melodic dive into the world of swing and the larger-than-life sound that defined a generation. This isn't just a playlist of classic tunes; it's an exploration of the stories behind them. Each episode focuses on a specific thread from the big band tapestry, taking you from the ballrooms of the 1930s through the post-war innovations of the 1950s. You might spend an hour with the intricate arrangements of a particular orchestra, or explore a broader theme like the role of vocalists or the evolution of the jazz solo within these iconic groups. The podcast is built on a foundation of respect for the musicians-the bandleaders, sidemen, and arrangers whose skill and personality brought this music to life. Frank guides you through it all with a curator's ear, offering context and insight that makes the listening experience richer. Put simply, this is for anyone who wants to understand the energy and artistry of the era, to hear more than just the familiar hits and discover the depth within the genre. So, whether you're a lifelong devotee or just curious about where that irresistible rhythm comes from, Big Band Bash provides your regular dose of brass, reeds, and rhythm. The goal is to share the legacy and, yes, absolutely get your feet tapping with this timeless, powerful music.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Big Band Bash
Podcast Episodes
Glenn Miller - A Birthday Salute Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:40
March 01, 1904 is the birthday of the late Glenn Miller. Join me on this program as we celebrate his birthday. I've picked out some recordings that are very pretty mixed with some of his hits. In addition we'll be listen…
Black History Month Sampler Part Four [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:29
We conclude our celebration of Black History Month this week with a look at the big band of Jimmie Lunceford. Jimmie Lunceford's band differed from other great bands of the time because it was better known for its ensemb…
Black History Month Sampler Part Three [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
We wind up our celebration of Black History Month with some more assorted artists. The performers today are ones that I didn't get to on the previous shows. Some of the artists on the show today include Charlie Christian…
Black History Month Sampler Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:43
We continue our celebration of Black History Month this week with more assorted bands and vocalists. Some of the artists on the show today include Ella Fitzgerald, Earl Fatha Hines, Duke Ellington, Ivy Anderson, Roy Eldr…
Black History Month Sampler Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
We start our celebration of Black History Month this week. Rather than focus on any one band or bandleader I have put together a sampler of bands. We start with the band of Fletcher Henderson. Other bands heard today wil…
Benny Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:02
January 16th 1938 is the date of the Benny Goodman concert at Carnegie Hall. This was the first concert given in the respectable concert venue by a swing band. We are very fortunate that the concert was recorded. Since t…
Memories of the Swing Era Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
Hello everyone. I have to correct myself. There were four parts to this series. So, this week we are going to conclude the series from the Reader's Digest Set, Memories of the Swing Era. Back in the 1960's and 70's Reade…
Les Brown Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
Hello everyone. This is part two of a program I did on the great bandleader, Les Brown. Les passed away January 4, 2001. Since we just passed the anniversary of his death I would like to play a program that I produced tw…
Les Brown Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
As we return from the holidays, I want to feature the big band of Les Brown. Les passed away January 4, 2001. Since we just passed the anniversary of his death I would like to play a program that I produced two years ago…
Martha Tilton - A Birthday Salute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:58
This week we pay a birthday salute to Martha Tilton who was born on November 14th, 1915. After singing with the quartet Three Hits and a Miss, she joined the Myer Alexander Chorus on Benny Goodman's radio show, Camel Car…