Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Stan Kenton Orchestra's 1947 Version of "Machito"

Based in New York and who along with Tito Puente and Tito Rodriquez would lead the Mambo craze that swept the country in the 1950s, Machito was one of the first Latin band leaders to use Jazz concepts and soloists in his "Afro-Cuban" compositions.  Machito was a big fan of the Kenton band. Pete Rugolo composed and arranged this tribute to him in 1947.  Kai Winding and Chico Alvarez take the initial trombone and trumpet solos, respectively, and the signature Kenton high stuff at the end is performed by trumpeter Buddy Childers and trombonist Skip Layton.