West Coast Jazz (Stan Getz album)


West Coast Jazz is a 1955 album by Stan Getz accompanied by a quartet including trumpeter Conte Candoli. Getz recorded the album in California, where he was filming parts for The Benny Goodman Story, and appearing for a week at the nightclub Zardi's Jazzland. The musicians that accompanied him at Zardi's were chosen by Getz to make this album with him.
The title of the album is an in-joke as Getz was not associated with the West Coast jazz style. The artwork for the album was created by David Stone Martin. The album was reissued in 1996 by Verve Records with bonus tracks.

Reception

Al Campbell reviewed the album for Allmusic and wrote of the musicians that they "... connected with Getz immediately, having crossed paths previously.... Generally unlike West Coast jazz of the time, the rapid group interplay with energized bop solos, still stand out particularly on "S-H-I-N-E" and Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia"".
Ted Gioia, in his book West Coast Jazz, writes of the album that, "In terms of playing style, Getz meshed well with Manne and the other musicians on the date... and his playing throughout the album exemplifies the tasteful, inventive creativity that has long been a hallmark of Getz's recordings".
The initial Billboard magazine review from October 15, 1955, wrote that the album had "Name power, talent, and a display worthy cover tag this as a leader. The stuff is modern, interesting, and it swings powerfully when its supposed to. For musicians and for fans, this one is tops".

Track listing

  1. "East of the Sun " - 6:17
  2. "Four" - 7:32
  3. "Suddenly It's Spring" - 6:56
  4. "A Night in Tunisia" - 6:09
  5. "Summertime" - 6:04
  6. "S-H-I-N-E" - 8:53
  8. "Split Kick" - 7:53
  9. "Of Thee I Sing" - 4:09
  10. "A Handful of Stars" - 3:20
  11. "Love Is Here to Stay" - 3:25
  12. "Serenade In Blue" - 3:52
  13. "Of Thee I Sing" - 4:44
  14. "Love Is Here to Stay" - 3:30

    Personnel

Production