Stan Kenton - Sketches On Standards (Expanded Edition) (1953/2002)

This LP contains six Bill Russo arrangements, five from Stan Kenton, and one by Lennie Niehaus. The repertoire features many songs not associated with Kenton (such as "Sophisticated Lady," "Pennies from Heaven," and "Over the Rainbow"), but the inventive yet melodic treatments certainly sound like the Kenton band. The main soloists are altoist Lee Konitz, guitarist Sal Salvador, trumpeter Conte Canoli, and trombonist Frank Rosolino and, although these concise interpretations (none of the dozen performances is much over three minutes) are not essential, the music is quite pleasing. This collection is a change of pace for the Stan Kenton Orchestra.