We came together again for only the third time, this aggregation of stalwart Kenton alumni. We have done this in honor of one of the most important men in the history of American music. Stan Kenton was not only a figurehead for "progressive" jazz, but he was one of the fathers of Jazz Education as we know it, and he helped spawn the careers of some of the most remarkable musicians of the 20th century.

We recognize Stan's wishes to not have a "ghost band" playing his "hits of the 40's and 50's." This is not just an exercise in nostalgia. We truly believe in the style of music that the Stan Kenton Orchestra performed, so we have had much new music written in that style. We all know exactly the way the master wanted the music performed and we try to pay him homage by doing just that.

The musicians that you will hear on this recording represent many different careers in the music field and many different areas of the United States and Canada. We have studio musicians, touring jazz players, clinicians, Broadway Show players, college music professors, high school band directors and music store owners. Our ages range from mid-thirties to mid-seventies. We represent almost 30 years of Kenton band history. Fifteen of the nineteen players on the recording toured with Stan Kenton. Three are not old enough to have played on the band, but would have been cherished members, had they been there; and one — Don Haas — even looks like Stan sitting on that piano bench.

Each member is a true "star" in his or her own right, but of all of us, we must mention one very gentle man, who is the personification of the term "musician's musician." I am speaking of "Mr. Bass Trombone," George Roberts. Very few people can say that they have defined the very essence of a musical instrument, but George is truly the definition of what the bass trombone is all about! We were all honored to be on the same stage with him.

One might ask the question, why doesn't the leader play lots of solos? There are three answers:

1. I love the challenge of playing lead trumpet.
2. There are so many wonderful soloists on this band, I don't need to.
3. Sometimes technical difficulties with regard to live recording make
    it impossible to use a feature number that the leader was going to have (DRAT!!!).

We all hope that you enjoy our endeavors on this recording. It is a very "scary" proposition to come together with limited rehearsal time and try to perform this many challenging pieces of music. It is a real credit to every individual on this project that we rehearsed 25 tunes (quite a few only one time), and actually performed 22 of them. It is one thing to make a live recording with a band that is performing every night on the road together, and quite another to undertake a live recording with people who not only don't play together, but don't even get to see one another for years at a time! In dedicating this album we chose three gentlemen who have been very important in all of our lives, both musically and personally. Stan Kenton was, and still is, our musical father figure and mentor. Many of us got our starts because of his belief in us.

The name Johnny Richards is almost synonymous with the name Stan Kenton. Along with people like Pete Rugolo, Bill Russo, Lennie Niehaus and others, he helped define the “Kenton sound.” Johnny was also my teacher at the Stan Kenton Summer Jazz Clinic in 1960. I have never forgotten his inspiration.

The final dedication goes to my friend, roommate, musical compatriot, and one of the finest lead trombone players I have ever known, Dick Shearer. The band you hear on this recording was originally conceived as the “Mike Vax/Dick Shearer Big Band.” “Dickus” and I shared our love for Stan and his music for over 25 years. We did clinics together, ran a successful summer jazz camp together, and made plans to play Stan’s music as it should be played. Unfortunately, the health problems that eventually led to his passing away in September, 1997, on the day before what would have been his 57th birthday, caused me to have to go on without him. Dickus, we love you and miss you!