Stan Kenton

West Coast jazz, jazz, orchestral jazz, progressive jazz, swing

United States

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Sound in a sentence: "Kenton's music pulses with bold brass textures and intricate rhythmic interplay, creating a vibrant tapestry that feels both expansive and meticulously crafted."

Stan Kenton reshaped the landscape of jazz through his ambitious orchestral approach, crafting a sound that captured the exuberance and complexity of post-war America. His big band innovations brought together rich harmonies and adventurous arrangements, inviting listeners to experience jazz not just as music but as a dynamic cultural phenomenon that reflected the zeitgeist of its time. Kenton's process was marked by a relentless pursuit of new sounds and structures, often blending elements from classical music with improvisational jazz. He championed the idea of the "jazz orchestra," where intricate arrangements served as a canvas for skilled soloists, creating an atmosphere that encouraged both individual expression and collective cohesion. This innovative approach helped redefine the capabilities of large ensembles in jazz. His songwriting often grappled with themes of modernity, romance, and the American experience, conveyed through a blend of sincerity and introspection. Kenton's work tends to have a narrative quality, weaving stories that resonate emotionally while also exploring complex feelings within lush sonic landscapes. The tone oscillates between grandeur and intimacy, reflecting both the sweeping ambitions of his orchestrations and the personal journeys of his musicians.

Stan Kenton

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Discography

Albums ()

Easy Go

Journey Into Capricorn

Kenton '76

Adventures in Standards

Fire, Fury and Fun

The Innovations Orchestra

Road Show

National Anthems Of The World

Live At Redlands University

Hair

Finian's Rainbow

The Jazz Compositions of Dee Barton

The World We Know

Stan Kenton Plays for Today

Stan Kenton Conducts the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra

Stan Kenton / Jean Turner

Kenton / Wagner

Artistry in Voices and Brass

Adventures in Blues

Artistry in Bossa Nova

Sophisticated Approach

Stan Kenton! Tex Ritter!

Adventures in Time

Adventures In Jazz

The Romantic Approach

A Merry Christmas!

Kenton's West Side Story

Kenton Live from the Las Vegas Tropicana

Viva Kenton

The Stage Door Swings

The Kenton Touch

Standards in Silhouette

Lush Interlude

Back to Balboa

The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton

Kenton with Voices

Rendezvous with Kenton

The Formative Years

Kenton in Hi-Fi

Cuban Fire!

Duet

The Kenton Era

Contemporary Concepts

Portraits on Standards

This Modern World

Sketches on Standards

Popular Favorites by Stan Kenton

New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm

Stan Kenton Classics

Kenton '51 Concert At Cornell University

Innovations in Modern Music

Stan Kenton Presents

Stan Kenton's Milestones

Encores

A Presentation of Progressive Jazz

Artistry in Rhythm

Compilations ()

City of Glass

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