Stan Kenton Alumni Band

The Mike Vax Big Band features alumni from the 1952 - 1978 Stan Kenton Orchestra. The Band performs some of the well known music of the Stan Kenton Orchestra; plus keeping with Stan's insistence on not just performing nostalgia type music, it also performs fresh new material written in the Kenton style, as well as original material written by members of the Band. The MVBB is not trying to be the "Stan Kenton Orchestra," but is carrying on his tradition of dedication to creative music, and to jazz education. Band leader Mike Vax has been leading bands for more than 45 years and his credits include being first trumpet, soloist, and road manager of the Stan Kenton Orchestra.