progressive swing (1943)

Stan Kenton, piano; John Carroll, Dick Morse, Buddy Childers, Ray Borden, 
Karl George, trumpets; 
Harry Forbes, George Faye, Bart Varsalona, trombones; 
Eddie Meyers, Art Pepper, Red Dorris, Morey Beeson, Bob Gioga, saxophones; 
Clyde Singleton, bass; Bob Ahern, guitar; Joe Vernon, drums.

This composition shows how the big band had moved from dance band to stage band. This is concert music. The contrapuntal textures and the changes in tempo and texture are not intended for dancing. Kenton was known for his huge band sound, loaded with aggressive brass sections. He was one of the first composers to write this new concert music with enlarged bands, which at times moved toward a symphonic scope.