Members of the Muncie community will be transported back in time to the sounds of Stan Kenton when America's Hometown Band from Muncie plays its live jazz concert Thursday at Ball State.
For the members of the band, many of whom were Ball State students in the late '50s to the early '70s, playing the music from their younger years is a treat they want to share with the Muncie community.
"When we were college students and music students, the goal of every kid who played a horn was to play on the Stan Kenton band, that was the big deal," Phil Cooley, director of America's Hometown Band, said. "It was better than playing for the New York Knicks."
The event is a Kenton-tribute concert with everything as his arrangements. Kenton was the arranger of a popular American jazz orchestra.
"Many folks consider him to be one of the most progressive of the 'big band' era," Roger McConnell, a Ball State alumnus, said. "The Kenton band had the most innovative sound and had the very best people in the business doing arranging and the very best people in the business playing in the band."
The band consists of five saxophones, five trombones, five trumpets and four in the rhythm section.
McConnell, who plays trombone in America's Hometown Band, said is looking forward to playing with other Ball State alumni from when he graduated, as well as with more recent graduates.
"We do it because we love it," he said. "We are very happy to show our pride in Ball State University."
With a strong focus on Kenton and his music for the concert, Cooley said he wants Kenton fans to come out for evening entertainment.
"There's an awful lot of old Stan Kenton fans out there," he said. "It would give them a good chance to hear some of those songs in an outdoor setting."
Hometown bands like this one are important for providing communities with entertainment throughout the year, McConnel said.
"Our mission statement is to enlighten and entertain and to serve somewhat as a living historical museum," McConnell said.
Since its inception in 1985, the encouragement of concert jazz music has always been a goal of the band.
Cooley said he hopes the community enjoys the concert, hearing favorite tunes continuously without intermission.
"I hope that they enjoy some of these arrangements that they probably haven't heard in awhile," he said.
McConnell agreed.
"I hope people have a good time, relaxation and enjoyment of good jazz," he said.
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