Review by Al Campbell
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 "S-H-I-N-E" and Dizzy
Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia." Coupled with the
album's original six tracks, the Verve Master
Edition collects several previously released outtakes from these sessions.
