Stan Getz - West Coast Jazz

In 1955 the difference between East/West Coast jazz was a hot topic, with critics and fans capable of taking zealous musical alliances with one or the other. The title of this disc, West Coast Jazz, was conceived as a joke, considering all musicians involved were originally from the East Coast and did not play exclusively in the laid-back, commercially profitable, cool style, as pigeonholed by some. Stan Getz was in California for his part in the film the Benny Goodman Story, where he picked up a week long gig at Zardi's in Hollywood. The pickup band that greeted him featured a great rhythm section: Lou Levy (piano), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), and Shelly Manne (drums), along with Conte Candoli (trumpet). These musicians connected with Getz immediately, having crossed paths previously. Impressed with this lineup, he took them into the studio to record West Coast Jazz. Generally unlike West Coast jazz of the time, the rapid group interplay with energized bop solos, still stand out particularly on "Shine" and Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia". *Al Campbell*

Name power, talent and display-worthy cover tag this as a leader. Getz and Manne are the big names, of course, tho Candoli too has a following. The new star, comparatively, is Levy, whose remarkable jazz performances should win him first fligt recognition in no time. The stuff is modern, always interesting, and it swings powerfully when it's supposed to. For musicians and for fans, this one is tops. *Billboard, October 15, 1955*

Side 1

1 - East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)

(Bowman)

2 - Four

(Davis)

3 - Suddenly It's Spring

(Van Heusen, Burke)

Side 2

4 - Night In Tunisia

(Paparelli, Gillespie)

5 - Summertime

(Gershwin, Heyward

6 - Shine

(Dabney, Brown, McPherson)

Stan Getz (tenor sax), Conte Candoli (trumpet), Lou Levy (piano), Leroy Vinnegar (bass), Shelly Manne (drums).

Recorded in Hollywood, August 9 (#2) and 15 (#1, #3, #4, #5, #6), 1955.