Stan Kenton - Live At The Cocoanut Grove In L.A.: The Lost Concert Vol. I & II (1999)

Stan Kenton is heard near the end of his career on this two-CD set recorded 17 months before his death. Other than trumpeter Clay Jenkins, none of the young sidemen would have significant careers, but their musicianship is excellent and they certainly sound enthusiastic playing with their musical hero. Among the dozen selections are "Body and Soul" (a feature for the leader's piano), "Malaguena," "The Peanut Vendor," and a lengthy rendition of "Intermission Riff." As a bonus, each CD concludes with a few minutes of interview excerpts as Kenton comments on various aspects of his career and life. Overall, this release is not too essential, but Stan Kenton completists and fanatics will enjoy hearing how his band sounded near its end. -- Scott Yanow