ccxiii. KENTON, Stan: Opus in Pastels

ccxiii. KENTON, Stan (1911-1979)

Opus in Pastels (1946)
Buddy Childers, trumpet
Ray Wetzel, trumpet
Chico Alvarez, trumpet
John Anderson, trumpet
Ken Hanna, trumpet
Kai Winding, trombone
Harry Forbes, trombone
Miff Sines, trombone
Bart Varsalona, bass trombone
Al Anthony, alto saxophone
Boots Musulli, alto saxophone
Vido Musso, tenor saxophone
Bob Cooper, tenor saxophone
Bob Gioga, baritone saxophone
Stan Kenton, piano
Bob Ahern, guitar
Eddie Safranski, bass
Shelly Manne, drums
(2:50)

from: The Stan Kenton Story (Collaboration).

"On August 2, 1946, Kenton recorded the version of Opus in Pastels that was approved by him to go on commercial release. Opus in Pastels was the best of the four compositions that Kenton wrote in 1940 as Suite for Saxophones. This is what Stan told Michael Sparke about Opus in Pastels: 'The unique sound of the sax section was achieved through the writing, and I'd have to say that the conception in the beginning days was my own. At that time, none of the arrangers were taking all the advantages that were available in writing for the saxophone. With Benny Goodman or Artie Shaw, the saxes would play just a melodic line, with a few harmony parts trailing along in the same fashion as the melody was played. But with our saxophone section, we started writing as though it was a complete unit by itself. We thought of the baritone as being the bottom of the section and we widened and spread the voices so that the saxophone section would stand on its own, and wouldn't be dependent upon the rest of the band for any of its character.' Opus in Pastels, a piece of timeless beauty, would remain in the book of the Kenton band throughout its existence. The composition forms part of the repertoire of many a saxophone quartet these days. -- Joop Visser