Stan Kenton

Genres:	Big Band & Swing • Holiday & Seasonal • Jazz • Music Videos & Concerts • Vocals
Descriptive "tags":	jazz • swing • big band • progressive jazz
Decades Active:	1950s • 1960s • 1970s • 1980s • 1990s • 2000s
Links online:	Wikipedia

Biography

Stanley Newcombe Kenton, 15 December 1911, Wichita, Kansas, USA, d. 25 August 1979, Los Angeles, California, USA. After playing piano in various dance bands, including those of Everett Hoagland and Vido Musso, mostly on the west coast, Kenton decided to form his own band in 1941. Although geared partially to the commercial needs of the dancehall circuit of the time, Kenton’s band, which he termed the ‘Artistry In Rhythm’ orchestra, also featured powerful brass section work and imaginative saxophone voicings, unlike those of his more orthodox competitors. The band developed a substantial following among the younger elements of the audience who liked their music brash and loud.

During the remainder of the 40s Kenton’s popularity increased dramatically, seemingly immune to the declining fortunes that affected other bands. A succession of exciting young jazz musicians came into the band, among them Buddy Childers, Art Pepper,...

Read the Full Biography of Stan Kenton