1970's Stan Kenton Band: A Newly Found Vibrance

Creative World was the record label Stan Created after he left Capitol Records at the end of the 60's.

Albums like Birthday in Britain, 7.5 on the Richter Scale, Plays Chicago, and Journey into Capricorn were all released in the 1970's. I particularly like these albums, they have a contemporary feel to them.

I think the younger guys with Kenton during this period opened him up to a less complex and more swinging approach. OK, a little more commercial they are as well.

While no ground breaking is going on with these Creative World albums, Plenty of high quality Modern Big Band is offered. The rock and funk elements show up in some tunes, I like that style though.

Plays Chicago is my favorite of Kenton's 70's albums, nice funky sound updating some of the band Chicago's best tunes.

Kenton's Death-

Near the end of Stan Kenton's life, always a heavy drinker, his martini habit worsened, and in 1977, during one of his binges he fell and hit his head.

From then on it was a steady decline, and finally in august of 1979 Kenton had a major stroke, he did not recover and passed away on August 25, 1979.

He is buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles. Kenton's legacy lives on through his compositions. Stan donated all of his music to North Texas State University.

Many compositions have been commissioned over the years, and former band members have kept the music alive with Various tribute concerts.

December 15, 2011 was the 100th anniversary of Stan Kenton's Birth.