Kenton at the Las Vegas Tropicana

Las Vegas excitement sets the pace for these great, swinging performances recorded live at the Troplcana

The city of Las Vegas and the music of Stan Kenton have a lot in common. Both are filled with excitement, daring, spectacular display, thrills, and a frequent lack of inhibition. There is, however, one very noticeable difference: life in Las Vegas can be highly unpredictable; but Stan Kenton and his powerhouse band are always a winning combination!

In this album, Stan and crew display again the skill and fire that make them “odds-on favorites.” The band has never sounded better, the section work has never been sharper, solo after solo is alive with the kind of brilliance that pyramids the emotional pitch of the crowd. Stan announces the selection and soloists before launch ing each thrilling sonic excursion into the
Las Vegas night.

side one

ARTISTRY IN RHYTHM — The famous Kenton opener prepares the desert scene for the great traditional and untraditional music about to follow.

BERNIE'S TUNE is kicked off by Stan himself at the piano, building to a fine alto sax solo by Lennie Niehaus, and some outstanding bass work by Red Kelly.

TUXEDO JUNCTION spotlights a muted trumpet solo by Frank Huggins, and the swinging trombone of Kent Larsen, along with the section.

STREET SCENE — Archie LeCoque's fluid trombone sets the melancholy mood for the trumpet and tenor sax solos of Jack Sheldon and Bill Trujillo, respectively.

PUCK'S BLUES is a piece of musical whimsey that swings the sections behind Billy Root's baritone sax and Kent Larsen's trombone.

side two

I CONCENTRATE ON YOU displays the whole band in swinging accord, with solos again by Root and Larsen, plus Jack Sheldon on trumpet and Lennie Niehaus on alto.

THE END OF A LOVE AFFAIR was arranged by Lennie Niehaus, and features his long, beautiful alto solo.

YOU AND I AND GEORGE must be heard to be disbelieved. It introduces the voice of Red Kelly, backed by a trombone choir of fellows named George.

SENTIMENTAL RIFF is a bluesy composition that spotlights some intriguing trumpet sounds by Jack Sheldon and Joe Burnett, with a moody tenor solo by Richie
Kamuka [sic].

RANDOM RIFF is a bright swinger played in the Woody Herman style. It displays pyrotechnic solos by Jack Sheldon and Richie Kamuka, taken at a tempo just this side of frantic.

CLOSING THEME — A short version of Artistry in Rhythm ends it all too soon.