SOUNDS FROM THE ROAD    
    		   


    The Mike Vax
    Stan Kenton Alumni Big Band

    Another great tour with Mike Vax and the Stan Kenton Alumni Big band, this time (2008) in middle America.

    The weather was dreary on the 2008 Alumni Spring Tour, but it didn't dampen the spirit of Mike Vax and the Stan Kenton Alumni Big Band. It was great flying into St. Louis, from every part of the country, and seeing other members of the band, after not being together for a year.

    The first rehearsal is always fun as they're playing mostly new music written in the Kenton style. Although many of the roads, farm fields and towns were flooded, Mike and the Alumni flooded the concert halls with magnificent sounds. Listen to these wonderful LIVE performances!

    Selections:

    1. Alex's Tune
      HEAR IT! (1.0 MB MP3)
      Comp. & Arr. Dale DeVoe, Solos: Keith Kaminski (b. sax),
      Scott Whitfield (trom.), Steve Huffteter (trpt.)

    2. Seascape
      Comp. J. Mandel, arr. Kim Richmond, Solo Kim Richmond (s. sax)

    3. La Virgen de la Macarena
      HEAR IT! 1.1 MB MP3) Comp. & Arr. Neal Finn, Solo: Mike Vax (trpt.), Pete Gallio (t. sax)

    4. Mr. Natural
      HEAR IT! (1.1 MB MP3)
      Comp. & Arr. Steve Huffsteter, Solo: Alex Murzyn (ten sax)

    5. Pennies From Heaven
      HEAR IT! (1.3 MB MP3)
      Comp. A. Johnston, J. Burke, Arr. L. Niehaus, Solo: Mike Vax (trpt.)

    6. I’m Glad There Is You
      Comp. P. Madeira, J. Dorsey, Arr. Stan Kenton Solo: Bob Kafka (piano)

    7. Slow Boat To China
      Comp. F. Loesser, Arr. Scott Whitfield, Vocal: Scott Whitfield & Ginger Berglund, Solo: Whitfield (trom.)

    8. Boney
      HEAR IT! (1.1 MB MP3)
      Comp. & Arr. Steve Huffsteter, Solos: Bob Florence (piano), Steve Huffsteter (Flugelhorn)

    9. Baubles Bangles & Beads
      Comp. G. Forrest, R. Wright, Arr. Lennie Niehaus, Solo: Kim Richmond (a. sax)

    10. Autumn In New York
      Comp. V. Duke, Arr. John Boice, Solo: Carl Saunders (trpt.)

    11. Variations of a Brazilian Song
      Comp. & Arr. Bennett Friedman , Solos: Pete Gallio (t. sax), Gary Hobbs (drums)

    12. Oblivion
      HEAR IT! (1.1 MB MP3)
      Comp. A. Piazzolli, Arr. Bob Carnow, Solo: Dennis Noday (flugelhorn)

    13. Malaguena
      HEAR IT! (1.2 MB MP3)
      Comp. E. Lecuona, Arr. Bill Holman, Solo: Roy Wiegand (trom.), Pete Gallio (t. sax) Keith Kaminski (b. sax)

      Bonus Track in Memory of our Pianist, Bob Florence:

    14. All The Things You Are
      Comp. J. Kern, O. Hammerstein II, Arr. Norm Tompach, Solo: Bob Florence


    Personnel:

      Mike Vax (leader)

      Woodwinds:
      Kim Richmond (Lead) (s. sax, a. sax, flute)
      Pete Gallio (t. sax, flute)
      Alex Murzyn (t. sax, flute)
      Keith Kaminski (b. sax, a. sax, flute)
      Scott Peterson (b.sax replaces Kaminski on tracks 2, 8 & 10)
      Joel Kaye (b. sax, bass sax, flute)

      Trumpets & Flugelhorns:
      Mike Vax (lead)
      Dennis Noday (split lead)
      Carl Saunders (split Lead)
      Steve Huffsteter
      Don Rader
      Dan Fava (replaces Rader on tracks 2, 8 & 10)

      Trombones:
      Roy Wiegand (lead)
      Dale DeVoe (split lead)
      Scott Whitfield (split lead)
      Curtis Fox (replaces Scott Whitfield tracks 2, 8, 10)
      Kenny Shroyer (bass)
      Mike Suter (bass, Tuba)

      Rhythm Section:
      Bob Florence (piano, tracks 2, 8, 10, 14)
      Bob Kafka (piano, tracks 1,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,12,13)
      Chris Symer (bass)
      Gary Hobbs (drums)
      Dee Huffsteter (latin percussion)

      Vocals:
      Scott Whitfield & Ginger Berglund

      Road Manager:
      Tom Huth

      Sound Engineer:
      Dr. Dave Clements

      Recording Mix:
      Tom Johnson, JDA

      Producer:
      Norm Tompach


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