Stan Kenton, b. Dec, 1911 (wikipedia)

Ray Brown’s Great Big Band will be performing in concert on Monday night, November 19, 2012, in the Cabrillo College Crocker Theater at 7:30pm. November being the last month of the centennial of Kenton’s birthday, Ray (an alumnus of Stan’s band in 1971-72) will be programming a number of Stan’s well-known arrangements interspersed with Ray’s own music. This possibly being the last time Stan Kenton’s name and music will be in the limelight makes this a must-see performance. Catch Ray Brown’s Great Big Band on November 19. Tickets are $20 and available at brownpapertickets, or at the door.

Here’s an interview with Ray on Desert Island Jazz at KCSM.

photo by Jeff Dean, jadient.com

Ray Brown’s Great Big Band at the Stan Kenton Centennial at Stanford Jazz Festival.
Check out more photos HERE!

photo by Jeff Dean, jadient.co

We got some nice reviews in All About Jazz for the new album. Robert Robbins enjoys the “deft yet swinging charts of Great American Songbook and contemporary jazz standards.” See the full article here: ROBBINS

And Jack Bowers says, “Sailing aboard this Kayak is an invariably rewarding experience.” Read the full article here: BOWERS

Some vintage video of Ray playing with Stan Kenton and his Orchestra. Recorded in London, 6 February, 1972.

Dig Ray’s solo at around 2:30.

VIDEO: Stan Kenton – Minor Booze

Join us for our concert at Cabrillo College.

More info at cruzio.com

More info at sanfrancisco.com

Ray Brown’s Great Big Band is working on its latest recording: Kayak. Recorded at The Annex in Menlo Park in November, 2009, we’ve mixed and mastered the project and are heading into production. We are very excited to share the CD with you.