1961 · Album
The Romantic Approach
Recorded 1961 · Capitol Records · Notable: First album by the Stan Kenton Orchestra to be released with a mellophonium section
Velvet Brass and the Mellophonium Debut
John Tynan heard it as a five-star ballad album, imaginative and rich, hardly for hipsters but undeniably musical.
The Romantic Approach arrived in 1961 as Stan Kenton's first recorded statement with the mellophonium section, a bold sonic choice that set this album apart from what came before. It was not a jazz record in the traditional sense, and the orchestra seemed to know it. Instead of bebop or hard swinging, Kenton gave you ballads—lush, carefully arranged pieces built on that new velvet brass sound the mellophonium made possible. The writing was what grabbed people. Down Beat critic John Tynan reviewed it in September 1961 and gave it five stars, praising the imaginative arrangements, the richness and depth of those brass textures, and the overall sensitivity to the material. He was clear about what this was: not hip jazz, but solid music that worked on its own terms.
The album found its audience right away, which is rare for something so deliberately non-jazz in a jazz context. Tynan's point was honest—this was not trying to be bebop or cool jazz or anything else. It was Kenton doing romantic orchestral music, and he did it well. The mellophonium gave him exactly what he wanted: a hybrid sound between a French horn and a trumpet, warm but cutting through, perfect for the kind of sweeping, detailed arrangements he favored. None of this was controversial or cutting-edge. It was simply effective.
Who's playing
Jim Amlottebass trombone
Pete Chivilybass
Dave Wheelerbass trombone
Stan Kentonpiano
Gabe Baltazaralto saxophone
Sam Donahuetenor saxophone
Wayne Dunstantenor saxophone
Marvin Holladaybaritone saxophone
Paul Renzisaxophone
Ernie Bernhardttrumpet
Larry McGuiretrumpet
Bob Rolfetrumpet
Sanford Skinnertrumpet
Dalton Smithtrumpet
Bob Fitzpatricktrombone
Paul Heydorfftrombone
Jerry McKenziedrums
Clive Ackertuba
Dwight Carvermellophone
Gordon Davisonmellophone
Keith LaMottemellophone
Gene Rolandmellophone
Where next?
More by Stan Kenton
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