Stan Kenton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stan Kenton
Kenton in January 1947
Background information
Birth name	Stanley Newcomb Kenton
Born	(1911-12-15)December 15, 1911 Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
Died	August 25, 1979(1979-08-25) (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Progressive jazz West Coast jazz swing orchestral jazz
Occupation(s)	Bandleader musician composer arranger
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1930–1978
Labels	Capitol Decca Creative World
Associated acts	Maynard Ferguson Zoot Sims Gerry Mulligan Nat King Cole Anita O'Day Lucky Thompson June Christy Chris Connor Art Pepper Pete Rugolo Peter Erskine Eddie Safranski

Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was a famous American jazz musician. He was a talented pianist, composer, and band leader. For almost 40 years, he led an amazing and important jazz orchestra.

Kenton had many popular songs from the 1940s to the 1960s. His music was always new and exciting. He also helped start jazz education. He created the Stan Kenton Jazz Camp in 1959.

Stan Kenton's Early Life

Stan Kenton was born on December 15, 1911, in Wichita, Kansas. He had two younger sisters. His family moved to Colorado and then to Los Angeles in 1924. They settled in Bell, California.

Kenton went to Bell High School. His yearbook even called him "Old Man Jazz." He started learning piano as a teenager. When he was about 15, a pianist named Ralph Yaw showed him the music of Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines. He finished high school in 1930.

By age 16, Kenton was already playing piano regularly. He played at a local hamburger place for 50 cents a night plus tips. He also had his own group called "The Bell-Tones." His first musical arrangement was for a local eight-piece band.

Stan Kenton's Music Career

How Did Kenton Start His Career?

In the 1930s, Kenton traveled and played piano. He played with different bands, like the Francis Gilbert Territory band in 1932. He also played with the Everett Hoagland Orchestra in 1933. This was his first time playing at the Rendezvous Ballroom.

In 1936, Kenton joined Gus Arnheim's band as a pianist. He made his first recordings with Arnheim in 1937. After that, Kenton studied piano and composition more. In 1938, he joined Vido Musso's band for a short time.

Kenton also worked with the NBC House Band and in Hollywood studios. He got the idea to lead his own band while working at the Earl Carroll Theatre Restaurant. He started a rehearsal band, which became his famous group in the 1940s.

The 1940s: A Decade of Innovation

Stan Kenton in Billboard magazine (October 1942; age 30)

In 1940, Kenton formed his first orchestra. He was more of an arranger (someone who writes music for a band) than a featured pianist. In 1941, his band played regularly at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Newport Beach, California.

His early recordings with Decca didn't sell well. He also had a tough time as Bob Hope's backup radio band in 1943–44.

Stan Kenton with bassist Eddie Safranski (1947 or 1948; age 35 or 36)

By late 1943, things changed. Kenton signed with Capitol Records. His song "Eager Beaver" became popular. The Stan Kenton Orchestra became one of the most famous bands on the West Coast. Soloists like Art Pepper and singer Anita O'Day played with the band.

By 1945, the band had grown. Pete Rugolo became the main arranger. June Christy became Kenton's new singer. Her hit songs like "Tampico" helped Kenton fund his bigger musical projects.

What Was Artistry in Rhythm?

When Pete Rugolo joined in late 1945, he brought new ideas. He loved jazz and classical music. Kenton gave him freedom to experiment. Rugolo's ideas helped the band create a unique sound.

(From left:) Pete Rugolo, Stan Kenton (age 36), and Bob Graettinger (1948)

Rugolo wrote original songs like "Artistry in Percussion" and "Safranski." These songs, along with June Christy's singing, defined the Artistry in Rhythm band. They also added Afro-Cuban rhythms. The band's sound was so big, it was called a "wall of sound."

By early 1947, the Stan Kenton Orchestra was very successful. They played in top theaters and ballrooms across America. They had many hit records. But the constant touring was very demanding. Kenton decided to break up the Artistry in Rhythm band in April 1947.

What Was Progressive Jazz?

After a five-month break, Kenton formed a new, larger band. He called their music Concerts in Progressive Jazz. Pete Rugolo wrote most of the new music. Kenton said these works were Progressive Jazz.

Stan Kenton (age 36) with Pete Rugolo (1948)

Bob Graettinger also wrote for the band. His important song City of Glass was first played in 1948. The band added a bongo player and a Brazilian guitarist. This allowed them to explore Afro-Latin rhythms even more.

The Progressive Jazz period lasted 14 months, from September 1947 to December 1948. The band only released one album and a few singles. This was because of a recording ban by musicians.

Many musicians from the Artistry band returned. New additions included Laurindo Almeida on classical guitar and Jack Costanzo on bongos. These were new instruments for a jazz band. The rhythm section included Eddie Safranski (bass) and Shelly Manne (drums).

The saxophone section was also improved. Art Pepper joined as the second alto saxophonist. This band was full of talented musicians. Their music was more complex than before. It was some of the first "third stream" music, which mixes jazz and classical styles.

The band toured all over the country. They played in famous concert halls like Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Kenton's concert at the Hollywood Bowl in 1948 drew over 15,000 people. It was a huge success.

Kenton's band broke attendance records everywhere. He was good at promoting his music. Comedy acts and June Christy's songs helped balance the serious new music.

Not everyone liked Kenton's success. Some felt his all-white band got more attention than other jazz artists. In 1948, Kenton's orchestra made over $1,000,000.

At the end of 1948, Kenton announced he would break up the band again. On December 14, 1948, the Stan Kenton Orchestra played its last show for over a year. They would return with new musicians and new music.

The 1950s: New Sounds and Challenges

After a year off, Kenton formed a huge 39-piece orchestra in 1950. It included 16 strings, woodwinds, and French horns. This group, called the Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra, toured in 1950–51. But it was not a commercial success. Kenton soon went back to a smaller 19-piece band.

In 1951, Kenton changed the band to a more standard size. It had five saxes, five trombones, five trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Arrangers like Gerry Mulligan and Bill Holman wrote for the band. The music became more like modern be-bop big bands.

Young, talented players like Maynard Ferguson and Lee Konitz joined. The 1953 album New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm is considered a highlight of Kenton's career. He made sure the band played both serious jazz and dance music.

When drummer Mel Lewis joined in 1954, the band became very "swinging." Albums like Contemporary Concepts (1955) and Kenton in Hi-Fi (1956) were very popular. Kenton in Hi-Fi was a re-recording of his older hits in stereo. It sold well and helped the band financially. This was important as Rock n Roll was becoming very popular.

Stan Kenton's Cuban Fire! album featured the music of composer Johnny Richards.

In 1956, Kenton released the album Cuban Fire!. This album was a big success for Johnny Richards and the Kenton orchestra. It was a landmark for large Latin jazz recordings. Its success helped Johnny Richards get his own recording contract.

By the end of the 1950s, Kenton's band was facing declining sales. They had to compete with new artists like Elvis Presley. The band often played in dance halls instead of jazz concerts. In 1959, Kenton decided to change the orchestra again.

The 1960s: Mellophoniums and Grammys

Stan Kenton with Bill Holman in December 1961 for the Adventures In Jazz recording sessions at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California

In 1960, Kenton reformed his band with a new sound. He added a section of mellophoniums. This instrument helped bridge the sound between the trumpets and trombones. It added a unique color to the orchestra.

The Mellophonium was a featured instrument by Stan Kenton from 1960 through the end of 1963. Though intonation was problematic, it added a unique color to the sound palate of the orchestra.

Kenton's 1961 album The Romantic Approach was the first to feature the mellophonium band. The band had many successes from 1960 to 1963. The albums Kenton's West Side Story and Adventures In Jazz both won Grammy Awards.

Ralph Carmichael wrote Christmas songs for Kenton, which became a popular album: A Merry Christmas!. After a tour in late 1963, the mellophonium band ended. Kenton took a year off to spend time with his children. He did not form another touring band until 1965.

In 1962, Kenton had his last Top-40 hit, "Mama Sang a Song." It was a spoken word song. He also tried a country music album, Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter!, but it was less successful.

After the mellophonium band, Kenton arranged Kenton / Wagner (1964). This album was more "progressive jazz." It wasn't a financial success but kept Kenton at the forefront of 'art music.' Stan Kenton Conducts the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra (1965) was an artistic success and got another Grammy nomination.

The late 1960s were a tough time for Kenton's recordings. His record label, Capitol Records, tried to make money from popular rock music. Kenton had little involvement in some of these albums. However, the band did have a charted single of the Dragnet theme in 1967.

The 1970s: Creative World Records

Stan Kenton with his band in Munich, Germany (September 1973)

In 1970, Kenton moved from Capitol Records to Creative World Records. This was a difficult time for the music business. Kenton wanted to appeal to younger audiences. He worked with arrangers like Hank Levy and Bob Curnow.

Creative World Records released live concerts. Kenton had more control over his music. He sold records directly to jazz fans through mail. He also made his sheet music available to school bands.

Stan Kenton (age 62) with Bob Curnow, Universal Studios in Chicago, Illinois, US (1974)

Kenton continued to lead and tour with his big band. His last performance was on August 20, 1978. He stopped touring due to his health.

Timeline of Stan Kenton Orchestras

Stan Kenton's Legacy

Stan Kenton was a very important person in American music. He greatly influenced big band jazz. His music changed and grew from the 1940s to the 1970s. He also helped promote jazz education through his Stan Kenton Band Clinics. The "Kenton Style" is still taught in high school and college bands today.

Stan Kenton's Personal Life

Stan Kenton was born on December 15, 1911. For a long time, he believed his birthday was February 19, 1912. This was because his parents told him a later date to keep a family secret. His grave marker still shows the incorrect February birthdate.

Kenton was married three times and had three children. His first marriage was to Violet Rhoda Peters in 1935. They had a daughter named Leslie in 1941.

In 1955, Stan Kenton married singer Ann Richards. They had two children, Dana Lynn and Lance. They divorced in 1962, and Kenton kept custody of their children.

His third marriage was to Jo Ann Hill in 1967. They separated in 1969 and divorced in 1970. In his later years, he lived with his business manager, Audree Coke Kenton.

Health and Passing of Stan Kenton

Kenton had two serious falls. One was in the early 1970s, and another in May 1977. The second fall was very serious, and he fractured his skull. The effects of these accidents made his last two years very challenging.

On August 17, 1979, he was admitted to Midway Hospital in Los Angeles after a stroke. He passed away eight days later, on August 25, 1979. He was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Stan Kenton's Gold Records and Chart Hits

Gold Records

• 1944 Artistry in Rhythm (instrumental)
• 1945 Tampico (vocal by June Christy and band)
• 1945 Shoo-Fly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy (vocal by June Christy and band)

Stan Kenton's Hit Singles

(Songs that reached the top of the US or UK charts)

Between 1944 and 1967, Stan Kenton had many hit songs.

Stan Kenton's Charted Albums

(Albums charting history with Billboard Magazine)

Awards and Honors for Stan Kenton

Wins and Honors from Music Publications

Grammy Awards

Grammy Hall of Fame

International Music Awards

Other Awards and Honors

• 1978 – Honorary Doctorate of Music: University of Redlands
• 1974 – Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters: Drury College
• 1968 – Honorary Doctorate of Music: Villanova University
• 1967 – Intercollegiate Music Festival Hall of Fame Award
• Named to the International Association for Jazz Education Hall of Fame (1980)
• Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Recording – 6340 Hollywood Blvd.)
• "City of Glass" is honored in The Wire's "100 Records That Set The World on Fire" (While No One Was Listening)".

Posthumous Honors

• 2011 – "Stan Kenton: Artistry In Rhythm- Portrait Of A Jazz Legend" (DVD)

EMPixx Awards – Platinum Award in the Documentary Category/Platinum Award in the Use of Music Category.

United States Library of Congress National Recording Registry

• Artistry in Rhythm (single) – Stan Kenton – Released:1943 – Inducted: 2011 - Category: Jazz

Stan Kenton's Music on Film and Television

Stan Kenton's Compositions

Stan Kenton wrote many songs, including:

• "Artistry in Rhythm"
• "Opus in Pastels"
• "Artistry Jumps"
• "Reed Rapture"
• "Eager Beaver"
• "Fantasy"
• "Southern Scandal"
• "Monotony"
• "Harlem Folk Dance"
• "Painted Rhythm"
• "Concerto to End All Concertos"
• "Easy Go"
• "Concerto for Doghouse"
• "Shelly Manne"
• "Balboa Bash"
• "Flamenco"
• "Sunset Tower"

Many songs were written with Pete Rugolo, such as "Artistry in Boogie" and "Collaboration." Kenton also helped write the jazz classic "And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine" in 1944.

Images for kids

• 

  Stan Kenton with his band in Munich, Germany (September 1973)

See also

In Spanish: Stan Kenton para niños