Silver Linings

Sometimes a mistake turns out to be for the best. Reader Jules Chaikin wrote to ask if we might have misidentified the musicians in the photo at the top of our previous post:




 








The Stan Kenton band bus broke down outside an Iowa town in which the orchestra was scheduled to perform, so the musicians marched the rest of the way. A Kenton biography lists Ray Wetzel as leader of the motley group and the three brass players immediately behind him -- from left to right -- as Milt Bernhart, Buddy Childers and Bart Varsalona. Recognizing Ray and Milt right away, we simply trusted in the accuracy of the other two names and printed them as they appear in the book.
 
When Jules questioned a couple of the faces, we did what we should have done in the first place and turned to the ultimate authority on all things Kenton, Steven Harris. Steven is familiar with not just the picture we posted but other shots of the April 1948 incident. He was quickly able to determine who's who in the photo. Double-click the image for a larger view:

 
So besides straightening out the original names, Steven identified a couple more of the guys for us, one example of our mistake turning out for the best. Another example is that in talking with Steven, we learned his 2011 Stan Kenton calendars will be the last. If you ever even considered ordering one, now's the time to act:

THE 2011 KENTON KALENDAR 

Price: $29.95 + $3 shipping

Final issue!  After more than 15 years, this historic calendar ends its run, marking Stan’s 2011 birth centennial.  This limited edition collector's item is size 8½ x 11 on glossy paper with high–resolution photos.  As always, this unique fact–filled calendar offers all new pictures!  Plus: *More than 450 historical dates, background and trivia on Stan's star soloists and players covering the entire Kenton era, 1940–78.  *Over 25 rare action shots of Stan and his various bands in action, spanning four decades, published for the first time anywhere.  *Encyclopedia of Kentonia: An updated alumni reference guide covering the tenure, instrument, birth date and location of over 350 musicians, singers and arrangers.  *Only 125 copies produced, individually numbered.  *First time color cover.  Note: back issues from 2002-2010 available at half price.
 

Now on sale at half-price!  
THE KENTON KRONICLES

Price: $24.95 + $5 shipping

*394-page soft cover biography, 8½ x 11 in size with 48 glossy photo pages.  *285 unpublished b/w photos.  *Chronological interviews from more than 125 alumni, relatives and associates.  *Individual chapters on each of Kenton's various bands.  *Programs for all 11 Neophonic concerts, 1965-68.  *Historic reviews and entertainment ads.  *Kenton on Camera: a 15-page listing of more than 125 appearances of Stan in films, TV and private videos.  *Updated addendum.  *Autographed by author per request.  Note: super rare uncirculated hard cover edition, among the first numbers 5-10, with more than 25 alumni autographs now available (contact for details).

Send payment (check or money order) to:

Dynaflow Publications
148 N. Catalina Avenue, Suite 4
Pasadena, CA 91106

Thanks, Steven, and good luck!