Pete Rugolo

Pete Rugolo's early recordings as a leader after leaving Stan Kenton's Orchestra are quite rewarding and innovative in their own way, yet have been long underrated and out of print. This LP finds Rugolo leading all-star groups filled with such top West Coast jazz stars as trumpeters Pete Candoli, Shorty Rogers, and Maynard Ferguson; trombonists Milt Bernhart and Herbie Harper; Bob Cooper on tenor and oboe; altoist Bud Shank; baritonists Jimmy Giuffre and Bob Gordon; pianist Claude Williamson; guitarist Laurindo Almeida; and drummer Shelly Manne. On such numbers as "Mixin' the Blues," "Rugolo Meets Shearing," "Jingle Bells Mambo," and "King Porter Stomp," Pete Rugolo's arrangements are full of surprises while leaving space for his sidemen's short solos. Well worth searching for.

1947 (1998). Bucking the tide while beginning to surf on a wave of increasingly mannered modernity, Stan Kenton's orchestra maintained its popularity during the post-WWII decline of the big bands. Volume four in the Classics Stan Kenton chronology presents all of his Capitol recordings made between January 2 and September 24, 1947. June Christy continued to be the featured vocalist, often backed by Kenton's newly formed vocal group, the Pastels. Dave Lambert was the director of this ensemble and sang with them on at least the first three tracks heard here. Noteworthy instrumentalists present in Kenton's 19-piece band during 1947 were drummer Shelly Manne, trombonists Kai Winding and Eddie Bert, as well as saxophonists Vido Musso, Boots Mussulli…