Michael Sparke

Stan Kenton (19111979) formed his first full orchestra in 1940 and soon drew record-breaking crowds to hear and dance to his exciting sound. He continued to tour and record unrelentingly for the next four decades. Stan Kenton: This Is an Orchestra! sums up the mesmerizing bandleader at the height of his powers arms waving energetically his face a study of concentration as he cajoled coaxed strained and obtained the last ounce of energy from every musician under his control. Michael Sparkes narrative captures that enthusiasm in words: a lucid account of the evolution of the Kenton Sound and the first book to offer a critical evaluation of the role that Stan played in its creation.