SKLO - 2023 Spring Tour

...32 years and counting 

With the blessing of Leslie Kenton, Stan’s eldest daughter – who had represented the interests of her father before her untimely passing in 2016 –  we continue to keep the Kenton Legacy alive. The band features new music written in Kenton style, plus some of Stan's most well-recognized tunes. 

Alumni from the 1956 – 1978 Stan Kenton Orchestras – plus some wonderful young new members – come together to perform for festivals, clinics, concerts, cruises and dances.

The band makes tours around the United States every year.  We perform some of the well-known music of the Stan Kenton Orchestra; plus, in keeping with Stan’s insistence on not just performing nostalgia type music, we also perform fresh new material written in the Kenton style, as well as original material written by members of the Band.  We are NOT trying to be the “Stan Kenton Orchestra,” but we are carrying on his tradition of dedication to creative music and to jazz education.

The goals of the band are to perform meaningful music, talk about the importance of the jazz heritage in America, bring jazz music to young people, and to offer our audiences a relaxed, entertaining atmosphere.

As many of you know, 95% of all our engagements are in high schools and colleges, in keeping with Stan’s commitment to jazz education.  These days, schools just can’t afford to bring in a big band such as ours, but they would LOVE to have us in to work with their students. 

Any school that books the band for an evening concert gets a FREE afternoon clinic from the whole band.  We also have their school band open for us at the concert. 

Hear this Legendary Band - Our Tour Happens in April

April 12 – Fly to Tulsa, OK

April 12 – Rehearsals at Tulsa University

April 13 - Clinic and Concert at Tulsa University

April 14 – Rehearsals and workshops at North County High School, Bonne Terre, MO

April 15 – Clinic and Concert – High School Jazz Festival, North County High School, Bonne Terre, MO

April 16 – Clinic and Concert at Bradley University, Peoria, IL

April 17 – Clinic and Concert at Capitol Theater, Burlington, IA

April 18 – Fly home from Midway Airport, Chicago

About Mike Vax

Leader Mike Vax has led a big band off and on since his days at College of the Pacific 60 years ago. A few of his credits include being first trumpet, soloist and road manager of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, as well as being co-leader while Mr. Kenton was recovering from surgery; playing lead trumpet in Clark Terry’s Big Bad Band, leading the Dukes of Dixieland in New Orleans; producing and/or music directing for over 50 jazz festivals; and performing workshops for more than 3000 high schools, colleges and universities all over the world. Mike now lives in Northern Arizona and still travels on the road many months a year. Mike is a signature artist for The Warburton Company and plays Warburton horns and mouthpieces exclusively including the “Vaxinator” Model Trumpet.