MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC JAZZ ARTS

presents

MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Justin DiCioccio, Conductor

THE STAN KENTON CENTENNIAL CONCERTS
A two-concert series celebrating the orchestral jazz legacy of STAN KENTON

PART 2 -- FRIDAY, MARCH 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Borden Auditorium
Concert will showcase standards arr. by Bill Holman for Kenton’s “Contemporary Classics”
recording as well as other tunes made famous by Stan Kenton

In honor of Stan Kenton’s centennial year (b. December 15, 1911- d. August 25, 1979) the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Arts Program is featuring the music of Stan Kenton with a two concert Kenton retrospective. Part 2 will be taking place on Friday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the School’s Borden Auditorium. The two concerts offer concertgoers a rare opportunity to hear the work of Stan Kenton, both for full orchestra and jazz big band. (Part 1 of MSM’s Kenton Centennial celebration took place on January 27th featuring the MSM Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra performing music by Kenton’s Innovations Orchestra, including City of Glass.)

On Friday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra directed by Justin DiCioccio will present a Big Band Retrospective of Stan Kenton’s music. The program will include Artistry in Rhythm, The Peanut Vendor, Concerto to End All Concertos, and Artistry Jumps, as well as the complete Contemporary Concepts album, with Bill Holman’s arrangements of Stella by Starlight, What’s New, Yesterdays, and Gerry Mulligan’s Limelight, among other tunes.

The Contemporary Concepts album was recorded at Universal Studios, Chicago, Illinois and Goldwyn Studios and Capitol Studios in Los Angeles on July 20 and 22, 1955 and February 9 and December 12, 1956. Bill Holman who arranged six of the album’s standards had a way of making the Kenton band “swing.” During the 1950s he assumed the role as Kenton’s chief arranger. Among the performers featured on this recording were Mel Lewis (drums); Stan Kenton (piano); Charlie Mariano and Lennie Niehaus (alto saxophones); Bill Perkins (tenor saxophone); Carl Fontana (trombone).

A complete program appears at the end of this press release.

Tickets:

Tickets are required for the Kenton Centennial concerts. Priced at $10; $5 for seniors and students, they are available by calling the MSM Concert Office at 917 493 4428 or by visiting www.msmnyc.edu. Manhattan School of Music is located on the northwest corner of 122nd Street and Broadway, and is easily accessible by public transportation.

Stan Kenton:

Stanley Newcomb “Stan” Kenton was born on December 15, 1911 in Wichita, Kansas, later residing in Colorado and California. In June 1941, Kenton formed his first band, later referred to as “Artistry in Rhythm” from its theme song. This band developed into one of the best-known West Coast ensembles of the 1940’s, with its distinct style and sound, sometimes thought to be controversial, later to become known as “The Wall of Sound.” The Stan Kenton Orchestra gained popularity during the war years. First was a contract with Capitol Records and engagement of artists that included Art Pepper, Boots Mussulli, Anita O’Day, and briefly Stan Getz. Pete Rugolo became the ensemble’s chief arranger (extending Kenton’s ideas) and June Christy joined as singer with hits such as “Tampico” and “Across the Alley from the Alamo.” During a time when the big bands were breaking up, Kenton’s ambition was to lead a concert orchestra with an original sound “progressive jazz” – not a dance band. The Innovations Orchestra was formed in 1950 including 16 strings, a woodwind section, and two French horns. Its music ranged from the modern classical charts of Bob Graettinger and included musicians such as Maynard Ferguson, Shorty Rogers, Milt Bernhart, John Graas, and Art Pepper, among others. Later on, the charts of arrangers such as Bill
Holman and Bill Russo took over bringing an unpredictability while still swinging and new musicians joining the Kenton sound included Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Richards, Lee Konitz, Zoot Sims, Jack Sheldon, and Mel Lewis, to name a few. In the 1960’s Kenton came up with the mellophonium band, earning this ensemble Grammy awards with albums including “Adventures in Jazz” and “West Side Story” (with arrangements by Johnny Richards). In the 1970’s Kenton split from
Capitol Records forming his own label, “The Creative World of Stan Kenton.” Recordings during this time included several live concerts at universities. Education was important to Kenton. He made his charts available to college and high school stage bands and on tours he teamed veteran musicians with unknown young jazz musicians. Stan Kenton passed away on August 25, 1979.

The Jazz Arts Program:

Manhattan School of Music is one of the first conservatories in the United States to acknowledge the importance of jazz as an art form by establishing undergraduate and graduate degree programs in jazz. It is also one of the richest programs of its kind, thanks to systematic and rigorous conservatory training combined with a myriad of performance and networking opportunities in New York City. In addition to a variety of small combos, student performing ensembles include the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Philharmonic, and Chamber Jazz Orchestra. Under the leadership of longtime faculty member and eminent jazz artist-and-educator Justin DiCioccio, the program strives to produce students who perform, compose, and teach with equal facility and passion. Notable alumni include Ambrose Akinmusire, Jon Benitez, Stefon Harris, Ryan Kisor, Jane Monheit, Jason Moran, Chris Potter, Kim Thompson, Steve Turre and Miguel Zenon.

The Jazz Arts Administrative team includes Justin DiCioccio, Associate Dean and Chair; Chris Rosenberg, Manager of Jazz Administration; Stephanie Crease, Coordinator; and Andrew Neesley, Assistant Coordinator.

Justin DiCioccio:

Justin DiCioccio, Associate Dean and Chair of MSM’s Jazz Arts Program, is internationally recognized as one of the foremost jazz educators of our time. He was inducted into the Jazz Education Hall of Fame in January 2001. His inventive approach has earned him the title “the musician’s teacher,” and his many performances, conducting appearances, jazz and percussion clinics, and workshops are widely recognized in the professional and educational fields. Mr. DiCioccio has served as program director and clinician for Carnegie Hall Jazz Education and acts as a consultant to Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis. He developed and directed the LaGuardia High School of the Arts jazz program, the first fully accredited secondary jazz program in the United States. Mr. DiCioccio is active with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Music for Youth Foundation, and the National Foundation for Jazz Education. He is a three-time recipient of the Presidential Scholars Teacher Recognition Award in the jazz field by the U.S. Department of Education. On March 1, 2010, he was confirmed as the State Department Appointed Cultural Envoy Jazz Ambassador to Tbilisi, Georgia. Mr. DiCioccio’s performing and conducting credentials include concerts, commercials, Broadway shows, and recordings with jazz, orchestral, rock, and new music groups. Over the years he has worked with acclaimed artists, including Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Chuck Mangione, Phil Woods, Stan Gets, and Clark Terry, among others. Mr. DiCioccio is a former member of the Rochester Philharmonic and for five years was a member of the Marine Band “The President’s Own,” in which he served as the official White House drummer during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Justin DiCioccio was named Chair of MSM’s Jazz Arts Program in 1999 and has been a member of its faculty since 1984.

Part 2 – Stan Kenton Centennial Concert
Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra
Justin DiCioccio, Conductor

Friday, March 2, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. * Borden Auditorium

Stan Kenton, Artistry in Rhythm
Cole Porter, arr. by Bill Holman, I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Jerome Kern, arr. by Bill Holman, Yesterdays
Gerry Mulligan, Limelight
Ray Noble, arr. by Bill Holman, Cherokee
Johnny Burke & Bob Haggert, arr. by Bill Holman, What’s New
Ned Washington & Victor Young, arr. by Bill Holman, Stella by Starlight
Chick Webb, Benny Goodman, Andy Razaf & Edgar Sampson, arr. by Bill Holman, Stompin’ At The Savoy
Bill Russo, ed. By Bob Curnow, 23 N/82 W
Moises Simmons, arr. by Stan Kenton & Pete Rugolo, The Peanut Vendor
Stan Kenton, Opus in Pastels
Ray Wetzel, Intermission Riff
Stan Kenton, Dynaflow
Mildred J. & Patty S. Hill, arr. by Bill Holman, Happy Birthday to You
Stan Kenton, Artistry Jumps
Stan Kenton, Concerto to End All Concertos

The MSM Chamber Jazz Ensemble directed by Justin DiCioccio will be performing the music of Mary Lou Williams on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Guest artists will include Saxophonist Dick Oatts and Pianist Gary Dial.