City of Glass
Stan Kenton · 1952
63 min · 16 tracks · jazz · swing · progressive jazz
A sprawling orchestral jazz journey that blends complex arrangements with a cinematic feel.
Why this album works
'City of Glass' stands out for its ambitious orchestration and conceptual framework, influencing the trajectory of progressive jazz. The album's unique blend of classical elements within a jazz context garnered critical acclaim and solidified Kenton's reputation as a forward-thinking bandleader during the 1950s.
- Best for
- dynamic exploration of orchestral textures wave-like pacing with cinematic feel immersive journey through soundscapes
- Context
- Released in 1952, 'City of Glass' was a pivotal moment for Stan Kenton, coming after his successful album 'New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm' from 1953. This album marks a significant evolution in Kenton's orchestral approach, embracing more ambitious and avant-garde structures. The work showcases his innovative vision at the height of the West Coast jazz movement.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dave Brubeck· Tom Scott· McCoy Tyner
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Thermopylae 2:56
- 2 Everything Happens to Me Standout 3:02
- 3 Incident in Jazz 3:28
- 4 House of Strings 4:17
- 5 A Horn 4:06
- 6 City of Glass: First Movement, Part 1: Entrance Into the City Standout 4:33
- 7 City of Glass: First Movement, Part 2: The Structures 3:49
- 8 City of Glass: Second Movement: Dance Before the Mirror Standout 4:25
- 9 City of Glass: Third Movement: Reflections 3:55
- 10 Modern Opus 3:17
- 11 A Cello 5:02
- 12 You Go to My Head 3:22
- 13 A Trumpet 4:49
- 14 An Orchestra 4:06
- 15 A Thought 4:55
- 16 Some Saxophones 3:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.