Product Description GRAMMY FINALIST: This recording is a tribute to a legendary figure in jazz, Stan Kenton. He maintained his orchestra by inventing new directions in music from 1941 to 1979, and he was synonymous with contemporary innovation, being an avid promoter of this new and different music. While Kenton kept an active road band, he also founded the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra in 1964. Led by Stan, the Neophonic Orchestra consisted of the top jazz and studio players and its mission was to perform new and innovative works. The Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra shares this mission. A jazz veteran who has been around for many years, Kim Richmond has played with Stan Kenton (1967), Clare Fischer (1968), Louie Bellson (1969-72), Lalo Schifrin (1979), Bob Florence (1979), Les Brown (1989), Bill Holman (1990), Vinny Golia (1991), Johnny Mandel, Chris Walden, and Clay Jenkins, among many others. He arranged professionally from the 1960s, for Schifrin, Buddy Rich, and Ernie Watts among others. Founded his Concert Jazz Orchestra in southern California to perform his own works, and has worked extensively as a session musician, arranger, director, and conductor for studios and popular musicians. TRACK LISTING: 1. Horizon Under 2. Anchor of Hope 3. Poetry 4. Intermission Riff 5. Over the Rainbow 6. Artistry in Rhythm 7. Invitation 8. Virna 9. The Peanut Vendor 10. Seascape 11. Willow Weep for Me 12. Zippidy Altered Kim Richmond, leader, composer/arranger, alto saxophone Woodwinds: Alex Budman, Bob Crosby, Glen Berger, John Yoakum, Bob Carr Trumpets: Bob O'Donnell, Ron King, Steve Huffsteter, Brian Swartz French horns: John Dickson, Stephanie O'Keefe Trombones: Scott Whitfield, Joey Sellers, George McMullen, Craig Gosnell Rhythm section: Tom Hynes, guitar; Andy Langham, piano; Katie Thoroux, bass; Ralph Razze, drums; Dave Johnson, Scott Breadman, percussion Special guest soloist: Clay Jenkins, trumpet Review Craftsmanship keeps coming to mind here, everything laid out and executed to perfection the compositions, arrangements, ensemble, and individual musicalities. --All About JazzKim Richmond reaches impressive heights ... Offering sumptuous blends of brass and reeds, angular melodies, pop-sounding passages, and unexpected sounds. --Los Angeles Times
L**T
Overblown
Kkm Richmond is a brilliant writer at best, but this Kenton tribute was a needless effort. I'd rather hear Richmond's own music.
W**Y
Kenton tribute: Still moving the music forward
This is simply stunning. I'm a fan of big band jazz. I also love to follow the trends in jazz as they develop. This dedication to Stan Kenton follows the great leader's belief in always advancing the music. Kenton would be proud of what Kim Richmond and his crew is doing with some of Stan's standards and several exciting pieces of new music. At a time when some really outstanding new jazz is being creating, Kim Richmond is proving that big band music remains exciting and very relevant.
H**S
Great writing and arranging
Beautifully performed by a group of world class musicians, Kim Richmond's sense of tribute to a leader in modern music is not lost on this listener. A lifelong Kenton fan and aficionado of modern big bands, this album does not disappoint. Inventive music all the way around and listening the Intermission Riff with Carl Fontana's solo (from the original Kenton in Hi Fi) written out for the entire orchestra! Wonderful.
D**Z
This music is a revelation!
The music on this disc grabs your full attention and never lets go of it. It is at once adventuresome and yet palatable. The arrangements are beyond Kenton-era, as good as those were, as Richmond keeps pace with newer developments in big band music; I suspect fans of Bill Holman and Hallenback, etc. This cat can compose and arrange! The 15 minute track, Anchor of Hope, is particularly noteworthy!
K**A
Good tribute, all of us old guys still love anything "Kenton"
Good tribute, but Kim sometimes gets too complicated in his arrangements.Most tracks were good listening. I would go for more if available.
L**E
Kenton Disconnect
As a Stan Kenton buff, I found these arrangements and musicianship very creative. I was hard preached to make the Kenton connection. Will be appreciated more by musicians.
M**N
Kim Richmond
Great album in the Kenton tradition
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