Stan Kenton: Machito

The Kenton bands music attracted the finest young instrumentalists, as the band provided an excellent forum for new music. Pete Rugolo was this eras chief composer/arranger, his work encompassing everything from pop songs to virtually anything he wanted to write. Stan loved the Machito Orchestra, and asked Rugolo to write something to dedicate to the Cuban maestro. The band first recorded this music in February without the bongos and maracas, but it is this performance that really crackles with excitement, one of the earliest instances of Afro-Cuban big band jazz on record. Solos are by Kenton, Winding, Alvarez, and a spectacular duet of Childers and Layton.