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
Black History Month Part Four - Vocalists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:00
We wind up our celebration of Black History Month with a look at some of the many vocalists recording during the big band era. Some of the singers on the show today include Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstein…
Black History Month Part Three - Duke Ellington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:56
Duke Ellington's band and music holds an important place among my musical heroes. I have been collecting records and cds by Ellington for many years. So I have decided to include him in our list of bands as we continue o…
Black History Month Part One Earl Fatha Hines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:14
We start our celebration of Black History Month with a look at the big band of Earl Fatha Hines. Earl was a very influential pianist in whose big band he had players such as Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Count Basi…
The Complete RCA Victor Recordings of Artie Shaw Part 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:45
Well, this is week four and the last in the series The Complete RCA Victor Recordings of Artie Shaw. These recordings were made in the years of 1944 and 1945 when Artie was living in California after his discharge from t…
The Complete RCA Victor Recordings of Artie Shaw Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:41
Benny Goodman's orchestra was the first big band that I ever listened to. But I kept reading about his rival, Artie Shaw. So I bought a vinyl two record set called This is Artie Shaw. Well, I was just knocked out with th…
The Complete RCA Victor Recordings of Artie Shaw Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:15
Benny Goodman's orchestra was the first big band that I ever listened to. But I kept reading about his rival, Artie Shaw. So I bought a vinyl two record set called This is Artie Shaw. Well I was just knocked out with tho…
The Complete RCA Victor Recordings of Artie Shaw Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
Benny Goodman's orchestra was the first big band that I ever listened to. But I kept reading about his rival, Artie Shaw. So I bought a vinyl two record set called This is Artie Shaw. Well I was just knocked out with tho…
New Year's Radio Dance Party 1945-1946 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:50
Happy New Year to everyone as we welcome in the New Year. On the show today is repeat of a program I produced in 2016 called New Year's Radio Dance Party 1945-1946. The Armed Forces Radio Service gave a real treat to Ame…
Repeat - Christmas Eve 1941 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
Merry Christmas everyone. I am sorry that I am a little late in getting this weeks show posted. This is a repeat of a show I produced in 2011. There are a couple of segments on Christmas Eve of 1941. Also, I have the onl…
Repeat - A 1940s Christmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:53
For the next few weeks, I am repeating a couple of shows that I produced almost ten years ago. This first one was called A 1940's Christmas. I tried to pick out as many songs from the Big Bands that were recorded during…