A James Ellroy Playlist: Stan Kenton – Rhythm in Art

Stan Kenton was one of the most innovative and popular jazz artists of the twentieth century. Given the importance of jazz to James Ellroy’s LA Quartet novels, it’s perhaps not surprising that Kenton – both the man and his music – pops up regularly in Ellroy’s fiction. And while Ellroy always keeps Kenton’s appearances brief, the band leader’s presence is often symbolically important.

Artistry in Rhythm

In The Black Dahlia, Bucky Bleichert and Kay Lake dance to ‘Perfidia’ performed by the Stan Kenton Orchestra at Balboa Island on New Year’s Eve 1946. The choice of song is telling. Kay is the partner of Lee Blanchard, Bucky’s best friend in the LAPD. Perfidy is in the air as Blanchard looks on in quiet jealousy while Kay and Bucky begin to fall in love. Perfidia is also the title of the first novel in the Second LA Quartet, in which Kay Lake’s diary entries state, rather implausibly, that she was in love with Bucky at a much earlier point, before she even spoke to him.

Ironically, Kenton has already witnessed Bucky perform. At the ‘Mr Fire versus Mr Ice’ LAPD boxing match in which Bucky fought Blanchard and lost.

I saw Stan Kenton huddled with Misty June Christy, Mickey Cohen, Mayor Bowron, Ray Milland and a shitload of high-brass in civvies. Kenton waved at me; I yelled ‘Artistry in Rhythm!’ at him. He laughed, and I bared my buck choppers at the crowd, who roared their approval.

‘Artistry in Rhythm’ was the title track of Kenton’s most celebrated album. It’s a dry title for a terrific piece of music, but it sums up plainly and directly what Kenton achieved through jazz. And also what Bucky achieves in boxing. The way he works the crowd is pure performance, adlibbing at the sight of Kenton and flashing the bucked teeth that gave him his name. Indeed, his presence in the ring is a form of double performance as he plans on throwing the fight, having heavily bet against himself to clear his debts. Halfway through the fight though his competitive instincts kick in, and he fights to win. Blanchard knocks him out, but Bleichert’s reputation for toughness in the ring is secured. The complex interaction and power struggles between Bucky, Blanchard and Kay is a reminder that there’s artistry in the rhythm of Ellroy’s plotting.

This video below of the Stan Kenton Orchestra performing ‘Artistry in Rhythm’ was recorded in London in 1972. Kenton is frail (he died five years later), the footage is worn, but this is still a powerhouse performance.

Machito

Despite his regular appearances in Ellroy’s fiction, Stan Kenton appears to be partially shielded from Ellroy’s love of salacious gossip. Was his appearance ringside ‘huddled’ next to June Christy suggestive? Kenton was handsome, thrice-married and a ladies’ man. He collaborated with June Christy on a number of performances. In American Tabloid, it is briefly mentioned that while under FBI surveillance, Marilyn Monroe is seen having a sexual assignation with Kenton.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Kenton’s life wouldn’t have been known by Ellroy when he first started writing about him. Leslie Kenton, daughter of Stan, revealed in her 2010 memoir Love Affair that her father raped her when she was eleven years old. Incestuous contact between them continued for several more years. Leslie didn’t confront her father about it until 1972 in London when Kenton was recording for the BBC. Kenton ‘physically crumpled’ in response.

Leslie Kenton led an extraordinary life. She lived in London, Paris and New Zealand. Aside from her successful writing and business career she had four children by four different men but ‘one of the ­ironies of my life is that the men I loved most were not the fathers of my children’. She died in 2016. Several members of Stan Kenton’s family were colourful characters. Stan’s son Lance was an ‘Imperial Marine’ in the violent Synanon cult. He served time in prison for putting a rattlesnake in the mailbox of an anti-Synanon lawyer.

In Ellroy’s novella ‘Pervdog’ published in Widespread Panic, Fred Otash is committing a burglary and has a Kenton tune in his head. Otash describes ‘Machito’ as ‘Mad music to B & E by’. The track below is one of the earliest, and most frantic, recordings of ‘Machito’. Perfect music for when you’re working against the clock and, like Otash, need to get in and get out.

Let Kenton’s music inspire you, as it has inspired Ellroy.

Love Me Fierce in Danger: The Life of James Ellroy is available to pre-order from Bloomsbury. You can also pre-order a copy from all good booksellers.