1952 · Album
City of Glass
Recorded 1951 · Capitol Records · Composer: Bob Graettinger
Bob Graettinger's Vision Through Kenton's Orchestra
Graettinger's arrangements demand everything from these musicians—precision, endurance, and absolute commitment.
Bob Graettinger wrote every note of City of Glass, and that fact alone makes this album different from nearly everything else Stan Kenton recorded. Kenton was the bandleader, the pianist, the public face—but this album lives entirely in Graettinger's compositional world. The sixteen pieces here represent some of the most demanding work Kenton's orchestra ever tackled. These aren't vehicles for soloists or vehicles for Kenton's own playing. They're architectural works, intricate and uncompromising, requiring the kind of precision and stamina that separates a working jazz band from an ensemble capable of handling serious complexity.
When you listen, you hear Don Bagley on double bass and Bob Gioga on bass clarinet anchoring textures that shift constantly. Ralph Blaze on guitar, John Howell and Conte Candoli on trumpets, Harry Betts and Bob Fitzpatrick on trombones—each player is essential to the architecture Graettinger built. This isn't background work or standard section playing. The musicians have to execute with absolute clarity or the whole structure collapses. AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow noted that these pieces rank among the most exacting works Kenton was ever responsible for, and that assessment holds up. The Penguin Guide to Jazz placed the album in its core collection, recognizing it as essential listening for anyone serious about jazz.
City of Glass arrived as a 10-inch LP and has since been reconstituted in various reissues, with the complete Kenton-Graettinger Capitol sessions now available on CD. This was a deliberate artistic statement in a career full of spectacle and volume. It's proof that Kenton's orchestra could handle something cerebral and demanding without losing its identity as a jazz ensemble.
Who's playing
Don Bagleydouble bass
Bart Caldarellibassoon
Bob Giogabass clarinet
Abe Luboffdouble bass
Stan Kentonpiano
Ralph Blazeguitar
John Howelltrumpet
Conte Candolitrumpet
John Coppolatrumpet
Maynard Fergusontrumpet
Stu Williamsontrumpet
Harry Bettstrombone
Bob Fitzpatricktrombone
Dick Kennytrombone
William Russotrombone
Bud Shankflute
Shelly Mannedrums
Gregory Bemkocello
Zachary Bockcello
Bob Coopercor anglais
Earl Cornwellviolin
Phil Davidsonviolin
Stan Fletchertuba
John GraasFrench horn
Barton Grayviolin
Paul Israelviola
Gabe Jellencello
Maurice Koukelviolin
Alex Lawviolin
Sebastian Mercurioviolin
Dwight Mumaviolin
Danny Napolitanoviolin
Lloyd OttoFrench horn
Art Pepperclarinet
George PriceFrench horn
Charlie Scarleviolin
Aaron Shapiroviola
Dave Smileyviola
Ben Zimberoffviolin
Where next?
More by Stan Kenton
All 37 albums →
The musicians on this record
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section 1957
Art Pepper
plays clarinet here
plays clarinet here
The Drum Sessions 1975
Shelly Manne
plays drums (drum set) here
plays drums (drum set) here
♫
Shifting Winds 1955
Bob Cooper
plays cor anglais here
plays cor anglais here
