The music on the sampler album Atlantic Jazz: West Coast makes a convincing case that, though the music may have been recorded in Los Angeles, the musicians paid more attention to hard bop than to cool jazz. Doug Ramsey’s liner notes address various stereotypes and misconceptions about the Los Angeles jazz music scene in the 1950s, when the majority of these tracks were recorded.

The album opens with esteemed critic Leonard Feather’s “Sa-Frantic” performed by a 1947 group led by bassist Eddie Safranski. It is a short bop tune notable for featuring a young Art Pepper on alto sax, and for being produced by Atlantic chief Ahmet Ertegun. From there the album proceeds in chronological order with all the tracks produced by Ahmet’s brother, Neshui, who was the label’s regular jazz records producer.

Trumpet player Shorty Rogers adds two soulful numbers, "Not Really the Blues" and "Martians Go Home," with an all-star line-up including Curtis Counce and Leroy Vinegar on bass, Barney Kessel on electric guitar, Harry Edison on trumpet, and Bud Shank and Jimmy Giuffre on saxophone.

Giuffre leads his own piano-less, drum-less trio on two other numbers, "Topsy" and a lovely version of “The Song is You” featuring Jim Hall on guitar. Saxophonist Jack Montrose and horn man Conte Candoli contribute hot, swinging numbers, "Paradox" and "Cheremoya," respectively.

Sitting in on most of the album's tracks is drummer Shelly Manne. He has become identified with the West Coast sound, as illustrated by having his likeness portrayed on the album cover. I’ve read where he played on over a thousand recordings in his career, which would sort of make him the Ron Jeremy of jazz sessions. Leading his quintet on a live date at his Manne-Hole nightclub, you can hear his distinctive style. He didn’t employ a heavy or forceful touch on the drums; rather, he let the music swing to accommodate the other members of his group.

At over 50 minutes, Atlantic Jazz: West Coast is one of the more generous samplers in the series. But it also offers one of the more valuable lessons, namely, not to judge a book by its cover, or a genre by its recording location.


Recommended: Yes