Featured In
ALBUMGenius In Rhythm (Remastered 2023)Stan Kenton
Albums by Stan Kenton
ALBUMGenius In Rhythm (Remastered 2023)Stan Kenton
ALBUMMellophonium MemoirsStan Kenton
ALBUMKenton CelebrationStan Kenton & BYU Synthesis
ALBUMTreasures Big Band Classics, Vol. 97: Stan KentonStan Kenton
ALBUMKenton Roars! At the Golden LionStan Kenton
ALBUMJazz Masters: Stan KentonStan Kenton
ALBUMDouble Feature, Vol. 3Stan Kenton & EWOC
ALBUMRoad Band '67Stan Kenton
ALBUMThis Is an OrchestraStan Kenton
ALBUMStan Kenton-Festival of Modern American JazzStan Kenton
Artist Playlists
Stan Kenton Essentials
He gave the jazz big band new life well past the ‘40s.
Stan Kenton: Deep Cuts
The bandleader maintained a healthy output well into the ‘70s.
Artist Biography
An innovative and pioneering bandleader, Stan Kenton led a succession of highly original ensembles that often emphasized emotion, power, and advanced harmonies over swing. Balancing a West Coast cool with modern classical influences, Kenton and his orchestra first garnered attention in the 1940s with hits like "Tampico" and "It's Been a Long, Long time," as well as albums like Artistry in Rhythm and A Presentation of Progressive Jazz. Many of his group's featured top talent, helping launch the careers of stars like Art Pepper, Stan Getz, Anita O'Day, and June Christy. He often favored unusual instrumentation, utilizing French horns on 1950's Innovations in Modern Music and launching his mellophonium group of the '60s. Accolades followed, including a Grammy for 1962's Kenton's West Side Story.
By the time of his passing in 1979, Kenton had earned a reputation as one of jazz's top cult figures.
Hometown
Wichita, KS, United States
Genre
Jazz