Well,
there you have it,
a representative record of our music
over more than a decade of
growth and development,
a record of hard work
and sometimes of discouragement
and failure.
But on the whole,
we've had perhaps more
than our share of success.
and I personally am deeply grateful
for the many times
I've known the excitement
of bringing to enthusiastic
audiences
new music in which I sincerely
believe.
Maintaining an orchestra
is a continuing experiment,
a gamble involving many people.
A leader cannot survive
without the inspiration
and encouragement
of those around him.
His musicians must be
in accord with his ideals,
for no orchestra can
give its best
if its members do not believe in
the music.
On his part,
the leader must have faith
in the concepts of his men.
He must also respect and encourage
the efforts of his colleagues,
his manager, his promoter, his agent,
his recording company,
so that their important contributions
can be made effective.
Our organization, the Kenton Band,
has been most fortunate over the years
in its complex personal,
creative and business relationships.
In the early days especially,
there were many of our associates
whose faith gave us much
needed encouragement,
and I like to feel that
our own hard work
and continuing development
has in some measure justified that faith.
I came to lead a band
because I wanted so much
to be part of the development
of the thing I felt and loved most,
the music of jazz.
Today I still feel that need more
strongly than any other.
And with the help of new musicians,
new ideas,
and new composers,
I look forward enthusiastically
to the future
and the opportunities of
productive experiment.
Building on
the rich jazz experience
we've all shared,
we're on our way, I'm sure,
to creating a more ma
ture modern music.
A music more expressive
of the exciting dy
namic times in which we live.