Artistry in Jazz Education

This is a new section exploring Kenton’s pioneering involvement with Jazz Education. It is a work in progress with many new items still to come. A large photo collection, clinic itineraries, and some recordings are all on our desk, awaiting inclusion on this site.

The article below is a good starting place to trace Kenton’s interest in educating young musicians in the art of playing and writing jazz.

In 1959 the first Stan Kenton Jazz Camp was held at Indiana University under the auspices of the National Stage Band Camp. Student musicians from all over the country gathered to attend workshops and lectures on performance, improvisation and arranging. Professional jazz educators, performers and composers disseminated information in formal lectures and casual mealtime encounters. As Kenton would say, the students would take a “bath in jazz.” Read more…

Listen to Kenton discuss the evolution of the jazz clinics.

We are happy to present some rare recordings from 1960s Stan Kenton Clinics. Listen to them by following these links.

19 March 1960 Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival finalists

4 August 1961 Michigan State University – Student Bands Part II

6 August 1961 Indiana University – Counselors Band

7 August 1961 Indiana University – Faculty Big Band

16 August 1962 Indiana University – McKinley High School

6 August 1966 Redlands University – Student Bands

August 1967 San Jose State College – Every evening concert by Kenton and the student band concerts from the final day.

National Stage Band Camp Faculty, 9 August 1960, Indiana University

Front row, left to right: Phil Rizzo, Ray Santisi, Russ Garcia, Buddy Baker, Johnny Richards, Conte Candoli, John LaPorta, Charles Perry, Sal Salvador, Eddie Safranski; Back row: Matt Betton, Gene Hall, Leon Breeden, Stan Kenton, Bud Doty, Jim Maxwell, Clem de Rosa, Sam Donahue, Ken Morris.