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
Tribute to Bill Holman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
This week we pay a tribute to the late arranger and tenor saxophonist Bill Holman. Bill got his start as a saxophonist in the Stan Kenton orchestra and then proved to be a great arranger as well. He went on to write arra…
July 4th and Patriotic Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Hello as we celebrate the Fourth of July this week.I tried to find as many Patriotic songs from the Big Band Era as I could. I hope you will help me celebrate this special holiday as we listen to some patriotic music.
Songs of Summer Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
As I am back from vacation, I am going to try and catch up with the podcasts. We continue this week with a program I did a few years ago on the Summer season of the year. I am looking at songs that have the words summer,…
Songs of Summer Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
Summer is a special time of year. It means many different things to people all over the world. Today's program is a look at the many different songs of Summer recorded by the Big Bands. I have included the word Summer in…
Steve Lawrence - A Tribute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
Hello everyone. We lost a very special vocalist this past March. Steve Lawrence passed away at the age of 88. He had been ill with Alzheimer's Disease for the last few years. I usually play big bands and vocalists associ…
Four Victory Parade of Spotlight Band Remotes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
Hello and welcome to another program of Big Band Remotes as we remember the many men and women who took part in the invasion of France called D-Day. Today we feature Les Brown, Bob Chester, Jan Savitt and Gene Krupa. The…
Three Radio Remotes From World War Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:24
In honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I have pulled out a show I produced about ten years ago that has three remotes from World War Two. Two are from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands program. Big Bands always s…
Woody Herman - A Birthday Salute Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:54
May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 111th birthday. We continue our celebration of his birthday with some of his hits from the 1940's. These are some of my favorit…
Woody Herman - A Birthday Salute Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:13
May 13th is the birthday of Woody Herman and if he were alive today that would have been his 111th birthday. To celebrate this milestone we will be playing some of his early recordings made between the years of 1939 and…
Four Remotes From World War Two Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:35
This week I am continuing with part two of Big Band Remotes from World War 2 with two remotes from the Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands series. At the same time, however, I am having a birthday salute to a favorite band…