Stan Kenton ( December 15 , 1911 â `` August 25 , 1979 ) was an American jazz pianist and bandleader from Wichita , Kansas . Stanley Newcomb `` Stan '' Kenton ( December 15 , 1911 â `` August 25 , 1979 ) was a pianist , composer , and arranger who led a highly innovative , influential , and often controversial American jazz orchestra .