One of the most distinct sounds in jazz was what became known as “West Coast Cool”, one of it’s proponents was trumpeter/arranger Shorty Rogers. The breezy, light and often humorous sound became very influential throughout the world. This four disc set shows how Rogers created a soundtrack for Southern California living.
The 1951 session with the Lighthouse Allstars (Art Pepper/as, Shelly Manne/dr, Howard Rumsey/b, Frank Patchen/p set the tone for the set, with swinging takes of “Popo” and “Four Mothers”. 2 years later a more beefed up team with Hampton Hawes-Pete Jolly/p, Milt Bernhart/tb, Jimmy Giuffre/ts and French Horn from John Grass bring in textured pieces like “The Lady Is A Tramp” and “Powder Puff”. A 1955 collaboration with arranger/pianist Andre Previn includes Bud Shank/as and Bob Cooper/ts for clever treats of “It’s DeLovely” and “You Do Something To Me”. The same year Rogers goes back to a small group format with Jolly, Curtis Counce/b, Manne and Giuffre for cool and thoughtful takes of “Isn’t It Romantic” and the famous “Martians Go Home”. In 1956, Rogers teams up with Giuffre on multiple reeds, Lou Levy/p, Ralph Pena/b and Larry Bunker/dr for a sl eekly bopping set including “Breezin’ Along The Trades”.
Shorty’s n ext few albums are big band affairs including Conte and Pete Condoli/tp, Frank Rosolino/tb, Herb Geller/as-ts, Pepper Adams/bs, Bill Holman-Richie Kamuca-Jack Montrose/ts, and Barney Kessel/g . The 1957 release includes stellar takes of “Saturnian Sleigh Ride” and “Martians Lullabye”. A hard hitting Afro-Cubanalbum brings in eight, count ‘em, eight, percussionists for an opus of Wuayancananga Suite” as wel over the top reads of “Manteca” and “Un P oco Loco”. A more straight ahead album with Mel Lewis/dr includes classy charts of pop tunes like “Chances Are” and “It’s Not For Me to Say”, while Rogers and his band waltz through an album of “Greensleeves” and “Witchcraft”. Pull down the top and cruise PCH!