West Coast Jazz (1955)

"In 1955 the difference between East and West Coast jazz was a hot topic. The title of this disc was a joke, considering all musicians involved were originally from the East Coast and did not play exclusively in the laid-back cool East Coast style. Getz was in California for filming purposes, where he picked up a week long gig at Zardi's in Hollywood. The band that greeted him featured a great rhythm section: Lou Levy (p), Leroy Vinnegar (b), and Shelly Manne (d), along with Conte Candoli (t). 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, this Verve Master Edition collects several previously released outtakes from these sessions." (Al Campbell, Allmusic)