0070 Stan Kenton [Kenton in Europe 1956] FLAC 6(34.06)

Contributed by delmonico, who writes:-
Compilation of tracks - Soloists Don Rendell and Harry Klein
The 1956 Stan Kenton Tour of Europe in 1956 was eagerly awaited in the UK. This was officially the first American band to be allowed to play commercially in the UK since WW2 because of problems created by the Musicians Union. This, however, was an agreed exchange visit with the Ted Heath Band who toured the USA.
It was to be a gruelling and eventful tour - 62 concerts in 33 days in 12 countries and the band opened at the Albert Hall, London on 11 March 1956 to a full house and an admiring audience.
In this 1956 band there were significant instrumental changes. There was one fewer saxophone, one fewer trombone but two added French Horns and a Tuba. Bill Perkins complained that the saxophones had to play harder to be heard. 
By early April it was reported that Spencer Sinatra (tenor sax) and Jack Nimitz (baritone sax) had suddenly returned home. Various reasons were given at the time - exhaustion,  exorbitant personal expenses, girl problems, but the truth was that both had been caught smoking 'illicit substances'.  Kenton was strict and ran a clean band and they had to go.
Replacements were made from the ranks of British musicians. Tommy Whittle on tenor, who was later replaced by Don Rendell for the Continental leg of the tour, and Harry Klein on baritone.
Here then are performances from three different concerts and which have solos by Rendell (all 3 versions of 'Royal Blue', 'Young Blood' and the Hamburg version of 'Intermission Riff' where he splits fours with Bill Perkins) and Klein ( both versions of 'Intermission Riff'). Incidentally, 'Royal Blue' was composed by Bill Holman in honour of Princess Margaret and first played at the London concert.
By the time of the Stockholm concert on 16 April the trumpet section was a man down as lead trumpeter Ed Leddy had been taken ill previously in Oslo and played no further part in the tour.  Sam Noto moved into first trumpet chair and shared the lead with 22 year old Vinnie Tanno. The Stockholm concert clearly shows up the problems in the trumpet section but it settles down in the later concerts.
The sound, which is from three different sources, is variable but overall of a listenable quality.
Ripped in FLAC with some cover scans and personnel/track details.

Stan Kenton - leader, piano
Sam Noto - trumpet
Vinnie Tanno - trumpet
Lee Katzman - trumpet
Phil Gilbert - trumpet
Bob Fitzpatrick - trombone
Kent Larsen - trombone
Carl Fontana - trombone
Don Kelly - bass trombone
Irving Rosenthal - french horn
Fred Fox - french horn
Jay McAllister - tuba
Lennie Niehaus - alto
Bill Perkins - tenor
Don Rendell - tenor
Harry Klein - baritone
Ralph Blaze - guitar
Curtis Counce - bass
Mel Lewis - drums

01 Royal Blue
02 Intermission Riff
03 Royal Blue
04 Intermission Riff
05 Young Blood
06 Royal Blue

Recorded: April 1956