Kenton, Stan, 1911-1979

Stanley Newcomb Kenton was born on December 15, 1911 in Wichita, Kansas. His family lived in California and Colorado before permanently settling in Bell, California, in the Los Angeles area. Kenton's musical career began in his teens, and made his first recordings with Gus Arnheim in 1937, joining Vido Musso's band in 1938, and organizing a rehearsal band which evolved into his own orchestra. From the 1940s onward, the Kenton band was the site of intersection between jazz, popular music, and experimental composition and arranging. Kenton engaged a wide variety of composers and arrangers, including Willie Maiden, Bill Russo, Johnny Richards, Pete Rugolo, and Bill Holman. He also took an interest in jazz education, participating in "stage band" camps, and collaborating with Leon Breeden of what is now the University of North Texas. Cooperation between Kenton and Breeden led to high-profile performing opportunities for the One O'Clock Lab Band, and the transfer of Kenton's band library to North Texas, beginning in 1962 and concluding after Kenton's death. Kenton continued touring until August of 1978, and died in Los Angeles the following year, on August 25, 1979.