Stan Kenton

Stan Kenton (1911-1979) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader who promoted modern composer-arrangers. Kenton combined formal education with big-band jazz, leading to the stage (or concert) band movement of the 1960s and 70s. He arranged for dance bands in the 1930s and formed his own band in 1940, continuing to create bands and tour until his death.

Kenton's music is more like 20th-century concert music than dance or jazz music. While his bands featured jazz improvisers, Kenton emphasized complex arrangements and unusual instruments, such as French horns, mellophoniums, and strings. His signature sound included loud trumpet playing, harmonies in the trombone section, and saxophone passages. Kenton ran Creative World, his own record company and publishing house, starting in 1970. His best-known piece is "Artistry in Rhythm," which was the band's theme song.

Stan Kenton was an American jazz musician known for combining formal education with big-band jazz. He is known for leading the stage (or concert) band movement of the 1960s and 70s.

Much of Kenton’s music is more like nonswing 20th-century concert music than jazz or dance music. Kenton was responsible for the “progressive jazz” label. Some critics place his music in the “cool jazz” category, and many of his players were identified with West Coast jazz, a subcategory of cool jazz. Kenton showed a keen interest in Latin-American music and often used a Latin percussionist.

A big band is a large ensemble, bigger than a combo, that plays jazz or swing music with a mix of ensemble sections and solos.

Stan Kenton (1911-1979) was a jazz bandleader, pianist, and composer. In 1940, Kenton formed his own band and continued to create bands and tour. His music emphasized elaborate arrangements over improvisation, using instruments not common in earlier jazz, such as the bass saxophone, tuba, French horn, strings, and mellophonium. Kenton's band sound was known for high, loud trumpets, harmonies in the trombone section, and saxophone passages. He ran Creative World, a record company, publishing house, and promotional network, from 1970. "Artistry in Rhythm" was his best-known piece.

Stan Kenton's jazz style differed from that of his contemporaries through his combination of formal education with big-band jazz, which produced the stage (or concert) band movement. Kenton's music resembled 20th-century concert music more than traditional jazz or dance music. While featuring jazz improvisers, his emphasis was on elaborate arrangements, using instruments uncommon in earlier jazz, such as the bass saxophone, tuba, French horn, strings, and mellophonium.

His signature sound included loud, high, block-voiced trumpet playing, trombone harmonies, and rapid saxophone passages. Kenton's interest in Latin-American music and the use of Latin percussion further distinguished his style. He is also known for the "progressive jazz" label.