CORRECTING MYSELF, PLUS A SAD NOTE

A while back in this post I discussed the wonders of Stan Kenton’s Intermission Riff, particularly a 1954 recording with Stan Levey on drums. I erred in my recollection. The recording I’m most familiar with was from February 11, 1958, and featured Mel Lewis on drums. Those of you laying up nights wondering when I’d get around to fixing this grievous error may sleep soundly tonight.

And since we’re on the subject of big band jazz, let me note the passing of Frank Mantooth, composer and arranger extraordinare. The name is probably only familiar to you if you played in a high-school or college jazz band during the 1980s, 90s, or this decade. But if you did, you knew what a treat it was to play a Mantooth chart–always tasty, always melodic, always great to listen to and ten times as much fun to play.

I had the privilege of meeting “Tooth” once, back in 1991 when I was a student at Augustana College. He was conducting a clinic with the college jazz band; since I wasn’t a member, I begged for (and received) permission to sit in on the session. Tooth was funny, affirming, friendly, and instructive–a real peach of a person. I had always hoped I’d meet him again. Not this side of the parousia, I’m afraid, but maybe in heaven I’ll beg some harmony lessons from him. He’ll be missed here on earth, though.