Essay Stan Kenton - 2584 Words

Stan Kenton: Progressive Concepts in Jazz Stanley Newcomb Kenton is one of the most influential figures to be found in all of jazz history, even being called the most significant figure of the Modern Jazz age by Frank Sinatra (Agostinelli, 6). Kentons progressive concepts of how music is written and performed greatly affected the genre of jazz, and created something new and unique. Always under controversy, Kenton and his band always strove to do something different, never settling into a niche for long periods of time. Even today, when hearing modern jazz performers (particularly big bands) one can often hear the influence from Kentons music. Kenton was born in Wichita, Kansas on December 11, 1911, although he spent most of his†¦show more content†¦The standard big band sound of the late 1940s and 1950s was very laid back. Rhythmically, it was normal to play just behind the beat to create this relaxed feel, with a definite emphasis on the swing style. Swing music was usually composed of one melody played by one section of the band, and other sections, if playing at all, would play chord hits in different places. The function of the rhythm section is mostly to comp and stay out of the way. These bands usually stayed within either 3/4, 4/4, 2/2, or 2/4 time signatures. Kenton altered this system in many ways to create something fresh and progressive. Kentons sound was more aggressive and even occasionally more abrasive than of other bands. The saxophones played strongly, with screaming trumpets, and a lush, rich trombone sound. One aspect that made the Kenton charts different from others was the layering techniques used within the band. This would involve one section of the band playing a melody. Then another section would play a different melody over top of the first one. Both would compliment each other rhythmically and harmonically. This process could then continue, adding more lines. When extracted, each line is still interesting by itself. The best example of layering in the Kenton library is Artistry in Rhythm. This tune begins with the rhythm section playing a riff over which the sax section plays the main melodyShow MoreRelatedMusic Experience At The Miami University Jazz Essay1446 Words   |  6 Pagessection. Although the Ensemble mostly functioned as a big band for the night, it also functioned as a quartet for a few pieces, featuring Anne Widner as a vocalist. The repertory that the band draws from are works â€Å"made famous by the orchestras of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Count Basie, and composers such as Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, and Charles Mingus† (â€Å"Jazz Ensemble†). The styles of jazz they played were widely varied as they played pieces of classic blues, straight ahead, Latin jazz, etc. AlthoughRead MoreThe Trombone History2105 Words   |  9 PagesJohnson also played with little or no vibrato. He was known for having amazing technical command of his trombone. Frank Rosolino was another amazing bebop trombonist. Rosolin’s best known job as a sideman was as the featured trombonist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Other trombonists of this era who made contributions to bebop are Kai Winding, which was very similar to Johnson, so similar that they co-led trombone combos together knows as â€Å"Jay and Kai.† Al Grey also is a notable trombonist alongRead MoreEssay on Jazz3014 Words   |  13 P agesbebop. These ideas were picked up by many west coast musicians, and this style is thus also called West Coast jazz. This music is generally more relaxed than bebop. Other musicians in the cool style include saxophonists Stan Getz and Gerry Mulligan, and trumpet player Chet Baker. Stan Getz is also credited with the popularization of Brazilian styles such as the bossa nova and samba. These and a few other Latin American styles are sometimes collectively known as Latin jazz. Many groups in the cool styleRead MoreJazz Research Paper2467 Words   |  10 Pagesdeal of stress on the players themselves, for the style required such fast technique for the ever revolving chord changes. The late 1940s brought forth an explosion of experimentation in jazz. Modernized big bands led by Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton flourished alongside small groups with innovative musicians. Yet another new style of jazz was to be born- cool jazz. Such influences to this genre are classical composers like Bach, Stravinsky, and Bartà ³k. This also inspired a fusion of coolRead MoreEssay about Jazz Styles in America1905 Words   |  8 Pagesensemble had to start and stop each note together (Swing). Progressive swing, also known as progressive jazz, was an extension of the jazz orchestras following the decline of the big band era. The style is closely associated to the output of Stan Kenton beginning in the late 1940s; however, the term applied to a number of bands and small groups who played a darker, more modern sound (Swing). Dixieland is an umbrella to indicate musical styles of the earliest New Orleans and Chicago jazz musicians