Prologue (This Is an Orchestra)

Lyrics

[Verse 1] This is an orchestra A group of musicians gathered together Because of a belief in a particular music Like all orchestras, this organization is unique In that the artistic ideal is far more important than personal differences These musicians, for this instance, came from all corners of America The character of the music to follow is the result of their understanding And adjustment to each other Some of this music is written, some is improvised There are times when a musician will express his individuality And other moments when he will melt with the rest To create an organized sound This is a cross-section view of this orchestra [Verse 2] Some musicians love to create sounds of percussion They like to melt them with the melody They have the ability to bring to life strong rhythmic swing And pour it into others That's a rhythm section Takes a bass player Ours, Don Bagley Another guy, he loves a melody just as he loves a beat A guitar player, Sal Salvador Another, a strong determined will, continued spirit A great obligation to the beat A drummer, Stan Levey [Verse 3] Some musicians are not content just to play an instrument in an orchestra This guy arranges, he composes, he wants to be a leader Someday he will, Bill Russo A young guy, Keith Moon Some musicians have a zest for happy excitement This fellow has few, if any, quiet moody moments His trombone playing is an honest reflection of himself Frank Rosolino [Trombone Solo] [Verse 4] Very necessary to an orchestra is the constant presence of young musicians With their eager enthusiasm that are just getting started Guys like trumpeters Ruben McFall and Don Dennis An orchestra needs good first-chair men They're like sergeants to an army They've studied, they know how They help their men and they show how Like our first saxophone player, Vinnie Dean [Alto Saxophone Solo] [Verse 5] That announced the tenor saxophone of Bill Holman, playing now He represents a talent that is discontented with music of the present He's anxious over the future He writes, he orchestrates too Within the group of personalities that make up an orchestra It's also necessary that we have guys that are Are willing to be happy and swing at the drop of a hat Richie Kamuca [Tenor Saxophone Solo] [Verse 6] An asset to any group like this is the presence of versatility A musician capable of creating all moods At the moment, warm melting personal sounds Conte Candoli [Trumpet Solo] [Verse 7] Within any group of musicians you'll find men who are in constant study It seems that perfection is not enough They want even more They are intent on achieving greater heights Fellows like Lee Konitz [Alto Saxophone Solo] [Verse 8] And then there's a baritone saxophone But in the case of this instrument, I'd like to be personal The fellow playing here has been a part of every sound Since this orchestra began Bob Gioga [Baritone Saxophone Solo] [Verse 9] A great first trumpet player Besides his schooling, technique and experience Must possess wonderful physical stamina They're sometimes referred to as workhorses Meet ours, Buddy Childers [Trumpet Solo] [Verse 10] A bass trombone is the bottom of an orchestra Wait a minute, George Roberts I said "bottom" That's better A first trombone can take black notes on dead paper And bring wonderful life to them Meet ours, Bob Burgess [Trombone Solo] [Verse 11] There are a few musicians, and we're lucky 'cause we have one Capable of stirring great feelings of fire Maynard Ferguson [Trumpet Solo] [Verse 12] Me? I'm Stan Kenton I'm the piano player and I'm the leader The guys call me "the old man" They look to me for many things A plan, final decisions, encouragement And, oh yes, another thing: money [Verse 13] With high regard and respect for each other's individuality The ingredients in the variety of a group of personalities Can make a music wide in scope From tender soft sounds to screaming [?] This is an orchestra!