With the Danish Radio Big Band

by Scott YanowThis CD is a bit unusual, for it features Stan Kenton in Copenhagen without his orchestra, lending his repertoire and his piano playing to the Danish Radio Big Band. This performance from 1966 was important in gaining recognition for the orchestra, and it also showed that the power of Kenton's music could be transferred to a completely different band. The arrangements of Kenton, Bill Holman, Gene Roland, Pete Rugolo, and Johnny Richards are interpreted with spirit and sympathy by the European musicians and there is solo space for trombonists Torolf Molgaard and John Lind, altoist Rolf Billberg, tenors Bent Jaedig and Uffe Karskov, and trumpeters Idrees Sulieman (the only American in the band) and Palle Mikkelborg. Kenton also solos on "I'm Glad There Is You" and "Interlude." The highlights include the stirring "Malaguena," Bill Holman's transformation of "Limehouse Blues," and the 12-and-a-half-minute "Cuban Fire Suite." Overall, this is a historical curiosity that should interest fans of Stan Kenton's music.