Stan Kenton’s 1945-1949 orchestras were orchestralized by Pete Rugolo, who followed the example of his leader to shape the band’s energetic, blasting style. Rugolo was five years old when he came to the U.S. from California. He became a student at Mills College in Oakland. After serving a time in the Army, Rugolo submitted an arrangement to Kenton. He then settled in with the group, creating a series of “Artistry in compositions” (“Bass,” Percussion,” Bolero,” Boogie”) as well as some of his most innovative pieces for the Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra. Rugolo quickly gravitated to pop music, landing a position at Capitol Records in 1949 as music director. He created arrangements for June Christy and Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte (in a brief pop period), the Four Freshmen and other artists. He was appointed music director at Mercury Records in 1957. He produced a few albums and led a small band for a short time in 1954. Rugolo made a move into Hollywood in the 1950s, scoring TV series such as The Fugitive, Run for Your Life, along with several films. As a result, his importance to jazz declined over the years. Allmusic
