Walkin' Shoes

Composed and arranged by Gerry Mulligan

Walking Shoes Stan Kenton Orchestra, live (1959)

Walkin' Shoes is Gerry Mulligan's own chart on his famous tune, arranged for the Stan Kenton band. Recordings of the Kenton band performing this chart are somewhat rare. This one is from a 1959 live date in Ukiah, CA.

Personnel: Stan Kenton (piano); Lennie Niehaus (alto saxophone); Bill Trujillo (tenor saxophone); Billy Root (baritone saxophone, bass saxophone); Sture Swenson (baritone saxophone); Joe Burnett, Johnny Richards, Rolf Ericson, Bud Brisbois, Roger Middleton, Jim Amlotte (trumpet); Bill Smiley, Jimmy Knepper, Kent Larsen, Archie LeCoque, John Bonnie (trombone); Jerry Lestock McKenzie (drums). The bassist is probably Red Kelly, although it may be Scott LaFaro, who was also playing with Kenton during this time. Recording information: County Fair Building Ukiah, CA (02/26/1959).

Here is an early version of this cool school staple by the famous, pianoless Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker.

Walking Shoes Gerry Mulligan Quartet (1952)

Personnel:  Gerry Mulligan (bari sax), Chet Baker (trumpet), Bob Whitlock (bass), Chico Hamilton (drums)

Street Music

Composed and arranged by Fred Sturm

Street Music (publisher's sample), composed and arranged by Fred Sturm

Set in a half-time funk shuffle style, Street Music is another original from composer/arranger Fred Sturm.

Stolen Moments

Composed and arranged by Oliver Nelson, transcribed by Greg Hopkins

Stolen Moments, Oliver Nelson (1961)

Our copy of Stolen Moments is pretty much a straight transcription by the great Greg Hopkins, of Oliver Nelson's famous 1961 version, as it appeared on his landmark album, Blues and the Abstract Truth.

Personnel: Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Eric Dolphy (alto sax, flute), Oliver Nelson (tenor sax, arranger), George Barrow (baritone saxophone), Bill Evans (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), Roy Haynes (drums).

Soloists: Hubbard, Dolphy, Nelson, Evans.

Along with Miles Davis' album Kind Of Blue, Blues and the Abstract Truth (and Stolen Moments in particular) is one of the most commonly cited examples of the "modal jazz" movement in the early sixties. Also, Nelson's solo on this version contains possibly the most famous use of the augmented scale in jazz.

Interestingly, while the piece is best known from Blues and the Abstract Truth, it actually first appeared as The Stolen Moment on the 1960 album Trane Whistle by Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, which was largely written and co-arranged by Oliver Nelson.

The Stolen Moment, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Big Band (1960)

Sonny's Place

Composed and arranged by Carl Strommen

Sonny's Place (publisher's sample), composed/arranged by Carl Strommen

Sonny's Place is titled in honor of the defunct premier jazz club on Long Island. Commissioned by the Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Band, composer Carl Strommen's original composition features the saxophone section.

Riverscape

Composed and arranged by Fred Sturm

Riverscape (publisher's sample), composed and arranged by Fred Sturm

Riverscape is an original composition and arrangement by Fred Sturm. Commissioned by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, this tune effectively combines a hypnotic straight-8th groove with folkish lines.

Here's a performance of the piece by the University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble:

Riverscape, University of Kentucky Jazz Ensemble

Pequeño Bossa Loco

Composed and arranged by Armando Rivera

Pequeño Bossa Loco (publisher's sample), composed and arranged by Armando Rivera

Pequeño Bossa Loco is an original composition and arrangement by Armando Rivera.

One Note Samba

Composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, arranged by Frank Mantooth

One Note Samba (publisher's sample), arranged by Frank Mantooth

This is master arranger Frank Mantooth's take on the Jobim bossa nova classic, One Note Samba.

This well-known song first reached a wide audience on the Grammy-winning bossa nova LP Jazz Samba (Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd), which reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200 in 1963. Although it had been recorded a few times prior, notably by João Gilberto in 1960.

One Note Samba, Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd (1962)

Stan Getz (ts); Charlie Byrd (gtr); Keter Betts (b); Buddy Deppenschmidt (d); Gene Byrd (gtr, b); Bill Reichenbach Sr. (perc).

Here's João Gilberto's version from his 1960 album O Amor, o Sorriso e a Flor:

One Note Samba, João Gilberto (1960)

Another well-known release is the Sergio Mendes-Brasil '66 version, in medley with Spanish Flea.

One Note Samba, Sergio Mendes/Brasil '66 (1966)

Oclupaca

Composed and arranged by Duke Ellington, transcribed by David Berger

Oclupaca, Duke Ellington (1968)

Oclupaca is "an exotic opener showcasing Paul Gonsalves' robust tenor," from Ellington's 1972 album Latin American Suite (Fantasy 8419).

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: Cat Anderson, Willie Cook, Mercer Ellington, Cootie Williams, t; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, tb; Chuck Connors, btb; ts; Johnny Hodges, as; Russell Procope, as, cl; Paul Gonsalves, ts; Harold Ashby, ts, cl; Harry Carney, bs; Duke Ellington, p; Jeff Castleman, b; Rufus Jones, d. November 5, 1968, National Recording Studio, New York.

Lou's Lips

Composed and arranged by David Springfield

Lou's Lips (publisher's sample), arranged by David Springfield

From the publisher's site (Kendor Music):

Here's another great addition to the catalog of this well-known writer and bass trombonist. Originally composed for legendary saxophonist Phil Woods, this original features alto sax and trumpet. The high energy shuffle style is reminiscent of the music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

Phil Woods

Kissing Bug

Composed by Billy Strayhorn and Rex Stewart, words by Joya Sherrill, arranged by Bill Holman

Kissing Bug, Bill Holman Big Band (1958)

Kissing Bug is Bill Holman's take on the Billy Strayhorn/Rex Stewart tune recorded by Duke Ellington in 1945. This new arrangement appeared on Bill Holman's classic In A Jazz Orbit in 1958.

Al Porcino, Conte Candoli (tpt); Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolino, Ray Sims (tbn); Charlie Mariano, Herb Geller (as); Bill Holman, Richie Kamuca, Charlie Kennedy (ts); Bill Hood (bari); Victor Feldman (p); Buddy Clark (b); Mel Lewis (d). Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California from February 11-13, 1958. The soloists are Bill Holman, Frank Rosolino, Charlie Mariano.

Here's the Ellington 1945 original.

Kissing Bug, Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra (1945)

Shelton Hemphill, Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan, Cat Anderson (t); Ray Nance (t,vn,v); Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Claude Jones (tb); Jimmy Hamilton (cl,ts); Otto Hardwicke (cl,as); Johnny Hodges (as); Al Sears (ts); Harry Carney (cl,as,bar); Duke Ellington (p); Fred Guy (g); Junior Raglin (sb); Sonny Greer (d,ch); Joya Sherrill (v). Recorded in New York City, 26 April 1945.

Journal Square

Composed and arranged by David Berger

Journal Square (publisher's sample), composed and arranged by David Berger

Journal Square is an original composition and arrangement by David Berger. This straight ahead shuffle is in the tradition of Duke Ellington's train songs. Berger used it as his band's opener for many years. Conceived by the composer while riding home on the Journal Square train, it features a 12-bar minor form and has plenty of opportunities to open things up for solos. Published by Kendor Music Inc (KN.61385).

Jazz composer, arranger and conductor David Berger is recognized internationally as a leading authority on the music of Duke Ellington and the Swing Era. Conductor and arranger for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra from its inception in 1988 through 1994, Berger has transcribed more than 700 full scores of classic recordings including nearly 500 works by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

Polka Dots and Moonbeams

Music by Jimmy Van Heusen, words by Johnny Burke, arranged by Bill Holman

Polka Dots and Moonbeams, Carl Fontana with the Stan Kenton Orchestra (1956)

Originally written for the Tommy Dorsey band in 1939, Polka Dots and Moonbeams is another standard ballad from the pen of composer Jimmy Van Heusen. This arrangement is by jazz master Bill Holman, written for the great trombonist Carl Fontana and the Stan Kenton Orchestra.

This particular performance of the arrangement is from a live concert in Berlin, West Germany, April 25, 1956. In fully keeping with Kenton tradition, there's lots of brass in this band:

Ed Leddy, Vinnie Tano, Sam Noto, Lee Katzman, Phil Gilbert (tpt); Carl Fontana, Bob Fitzpatrick, Kent Larsen (tbn); Don Kelly (b. tbn); Irving Rosenthal, Fred Fox (french horn); Jay McAllister (tuba); Lennie Niehaus (as); Bill Perkins, Don Rendell (ts); Harry Klein (bari); Stan Kenton (pno); Ralph Blaze (gtr); Curtis Counce (bass); Mel Lewis (dr).

Moanin' (Mingus)

Composed and arranged by Charles Mingus

Moanin' Charles Mingus (1959)

Charles Mingus, Blues & Roots (1960)

Not to be confused with the Bobby Timmons tune by the same name (recorded the previous year), there's no mistaking Mingus' Moanin' when you hear it--it's pure Mingus! It's from the 1960 album Blues & Roots. Here's the lineup:

Charles Mingus (bass), John Handy, Jackie McLean (alto sax), Booker Ervin (tenor sax), Pepper Adams (baritone sax), Jimmy Knepper, Willie Dennis (trombone), Dannie Richmond (drums), Horace Parlan (piano).

The solos are by Jackie McLean, Pepper Adams, and Booker Ervin.

Jackie McLean

Pepper Adams

Booker Ervin

The Legend

Composed and arranged by Benny Carter

The Legend, Count Basie and his Orchestra (1961)

The Legend is another Benny Carter original from Count Basie's 1961 album of the same name, The Legend (Roulette SR 52086).

Al Aarons, Sonny Cohn, Thad Jones, Snooky Young (tp), Henry Coker, Quentin Jackson, Benny Powell (tb), Benny Carter (as), Frank Wess (as, ts, fl), Budd Johnson, Frank Foster (ts), Charles Fowlkes (bs), Count Basie (p), Sam Herman (g), Eddie Jones (b), Sonny Payne (d).

Recorded at Capitol Studios, New York City, October 30, 1961.

The soloists are Thad Jones, Basie, and Frank Foster.

Miss Missouri

Composed and arranged by Benny Carter

Miss Missouri, Count Basie Orchestra, 1960

Penned by the great Benny Carter, Miss Missouri is another band staple from Kansas City Suite: The Music of Benny Carter (Roulette YW-7548-RO), recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra in 1960.

Thad Jones, Snookie Young, Sonny Cohn, Joe Newman (tp); Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (tb); Marshall Royal (as,cl); Frank Wess (as,ts,fl); Billy Mitchell, Frank Foster (ts); Charlie Fowlkes (bs); Count Basie (p); Freddie Green (g); Eddie Jones (b); Sonny Payne (d); Benny Carter (arr). Recorded November 17, 1960. NYC.

The soloists are Basie, Billy Mitchell and Al Grey.

Speak Low

Composed by Kurt Weill, arranged by Bob Curnow

Speak Low, performed by the Bob Curnow Big Band

Bob Curnow with Stan Kenton

This arrangement of the classic Speak Low, composed by the great Kurt Weill, was written by Bob Curnow, who served as a trombonist, staff arranger, and producer for the Stan Kenton Orchestra during the 1960s and 1970s. No wonder then that this is a trombone feature! Curnow is currently owner and president of Sierra Music Publications, the source of a lot of our arrangements.

Debuting in the musical comedy One Touch of Venus, which opened on Broadway in October 1943, Speak Low is now a standard that's been recorded many times by many different artists. Here's the German composer himself, Kurt Weill, performing his own tune:

Kurt Weill sings and plays his own Speak Low

Speak Low went to number 5 on the charts in 1944, recorded by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians with vocalist Billy Leach.

Speak Low, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (1943)