1953 · Album
Stan Kenton Conducts Robert Graettinger’s City of Glass and This Modern World
Recorded 1951 · Capitol Records · Produced by Unknown
Glass and Precision: Kenton's Graettinger Session
Graettinger's arrangements demanded everything from Kenton's musicians—and they delivered.
The session that produced City of Glass was a high-wire act. Stan Kenton brought in musicians like Don Bagley on double bass, Herb Geller on alto saxophone, and Conte Candoli on trumpet—seasoned players used to the demands of orchestral jazz, but nothing quite prepared them for what Graettinger had written. The arranger's vision was uncompromising: 16 pieces of intricate, almost classical precision masquerading as big band music. There was no room for the casual swing that defined much of Kenton's earlier work. Every note mattered. Every entrance had to land exactly.
What makes this recording remarkable is that it works. The arrangements don't collapse under their own weight, and the musicians don't sound strangled by the complexity. John Howell, Ralph Blaze, Bob Gioga, Johnny Rotella, and Stan Kenton himself at the piano managed to play Graettinger's music with clarity and commitment rather than mere technical facility. The result feels less like a demonstration of compositional cleverness and more like a genuine artistic statement, even when the pieces themselves are austere or hermetic.
Critically, the album landed well enough. Billboard charted it on the sales side in late 1952, and reviewers recognized something different happening here—something that didn't fit neatly into existing categories. AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow later called these arrangements "among the most exacting works Kenton was ever responsible for," which is exactly right. This isn't essential Kenton, but it's necessary Kenton—a moment when he stepped outside his comfort zone and let someone else's vision dictate the terms.
Who's playing
Don Bagleydouble bass
Bart Caldarellibassoon
Bob Giogabass clarinet
Abe Luboffdouble bass
Stan Kentonpiano
Ralph Blazeguitar
Herb Gelleralto saxophone
Johnny Rotellabaritone saxophone
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
