August 25: "Progressive Jazz" pioneer Stan Kenton died on this day in 1979.

The bandleader, pianist,  composer and arranger was still leading his band when he died at the age of 67 from a stroke.


Stanley Newcomb Kenton, born in Wichita, Kansas, and raised in Colorado, then in California, began leading his own bands in the late 1930s and become famous in the mid-'40s with songs like "Painted Rhythm," "Intermission Riff" and "Eager Beaver."

Calling his music "progressive jazz," Kenton sought to lead a concert orchestra as opposed to a dance band at a time when most big bands were starting to break up. In the mid-1940s, Kenton's band and style became known as "The Wall of Sound" - long before Phil Spector used the term to describe his music in the 1960s to describe his recording of artists such as the Ronettes and the Crystals.

Press links below to view You Tube videos:
-- "Limehouse Blues - 2"
-- "Malaguena"
-- "Intermission Riff"