Stan Kenton Band Clinics
Encyclopedia
Stan Kenton Band Clinics were summer programs founded by Stan Kenton
in 1959. Kenton conceived the idea out of concern that education of jazz and all its forms were not reaching teenagers who showed signs of interest in it. He strongly felt that the survival of jazz depended heavily on the ability of leaders and artists in jazz community to educate a younger generation.
, both of North Texas State University, played a major role in helping Kenton develop the clinics.
The first clinic was in 1959, held at Indiana University
under the auspices of the National Stage Band Camp. Struck by the serious responsibility and encouraged by his first camp, Kenton, in 1960, sent a trunk load of original big band scores culled from his library to North Texas
for use as teaching aids. We definitely have a serious responsibility that must be dealt with.
In 1961, two Kenton added two locations, one at Michigan State University
and one at Southern Methodist University
. Clinicians, Kenton included, received no salary, only room and board. In the beginning the Kenton Band would play dances and concerts in the nearby area each night of the clinic. By the late 60s the band members themselves became a more integral part of the day to day experience of the clinics.
In 1967, Kenton separated his activities from the National Stage Band Camp, renaming it the Stan Kenton Band Clinics. The first clinics (the word camp was abandoned as being not academic enough) were held at University of Redlands
and San Jose State University
with faculty that included Henry Mancini
, Shelly Manne
, Pete Rugolo
, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins and Bud Shank
. In the 1970s Hank Levy
, Ken Hanna
, Lou Marini
, Tom Ferguson
and Dan Haerle were among the faculty.
By 1975, Kenton was conducting over 100 clinics a year, as well as four week-long summer clinics on college campuses. At this time he was also distributing various educational materials and stage-band charts, as well as his own albums, with his Creative World company.
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
in 1959. Kenton conceived the idea out of concern that education of jazz and all its forms were not reaching teenagers who showed signs of interest in it. He strongly felt that the survival of jazz depended heavily on the ability of leaders and artists in jazz community to educate a younger generation.
Development of the Clinics
Dr. Gene Hall and Leon BreedenLeon Breeden
Harold Leon Breeden , known as Leon Breeden, was a jazz studies educator at the collegiate level, a classical and jazz clarinetist, a saxophonist, a prolific composer and arranger, a music clinician, and jazz festival judge...
, both of North Texas State University, played a major role in helping Kenton develop the clinics.
The first clinic was in 1959, held at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
under the auspices of the National Stage Band Camp. Struck by the serious responsibility and encouraged by his first camp, Kenton, in 1960, sent a trunk load of original big band scores culled from his library to North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
for use as teaching aids. We definitely have a serious responsibility that must be dealt with.
In 1961, two Kenton added two locations, one at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
and one at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
. Clinicians, Kenton included, received no salary, only room and board. In the beginning the Kenton Band would play dances and concerts in the nearby area each night of the clinic. By the late 60s the band members themselves became a more integral part of the day to day experience of the clinics.
In 1967, Kenton separated his activities from the National Stage Band Camp, renaming it the Stan Kenton Band Clinics. The first clinics (the word camp was abandoned as being not academic enough) were held at University of Redlands
University of Redlands
The University of Redlands is a private liberal arts and sciences university located in Redlands, California. The university's campus sits on near downtown Redlands. The university was founded in 1907 and was associated with the American Baptist Church. The land for the university was donated by...
and San Jose State University
San José State University
San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...
with faculty that included Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
, Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing...
, Pete Rugolo
Pete Rugolo
Pietro "Pete" Rugolo was an Italian-born jazz composer and arranger.-Life and career:Rugolo was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily, Italy. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920 and settled in Santa Rosa, California...
, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins and Bud Shank
Bud Shank
Clifford Everett "Bud" Shank, Jr. was an American alto saxophonist and flautist. He rose to prominence in the early 1950s playing lead alto and flute in Stan Kenton's Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra and throughout the decade worked in various small jazz combos. He spent the 1960s as a first...
. In the 1970s Hank Levy
Hank Levy
Hank Levy was an American jazz composer and saxophonist whose works often employed unusual time signatures...
, Ken Hanna
Ken Hanna
Kenneth L. Hanna was an American jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer and bandleader best known for his work with Stan Kenton. Hanna played in the trumpet section of the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the early 1940s and arranged many of Kenton's significant charts.-References:*Eugene Chadbourne, ,...
, Lou Marini
Lou Marini
Lou Marini, Jr. is an American saxophonist, arranger and composer. He is noted for his work in the jazz, rock, blues and soul music traditions.-Early life and range of musical experience:...
, Tom Ferguson
Tom Ferguson
Tom Ferguson may refer to:* Thomas Ferguson , American political scientist/economist and author*Thomas A. Ferguson , official in the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury* Thomas William Ferguson, , American medical doctor and author...
and Dan Haerle were among the faculty.
By 1975, Kenton was conducting over 100 clinics a year, as well as four week-long summer clinics on college campuses. At this time he was also distributing various educational materials and stage-band charts, as well as his own albums, with his Creative World company.