Zounds by The Lennie Niehaus Octet, released on Contemporary in 1958.

Lennie Niehaus, Vol. 2: Zounds! Review by Scott Yanow

This formerly rare Contemporary set was reissued on a 1997 OJC CD. Lennie Niehaus, best known for his scores for Clint Eastwood films in the 1980s and '90s, was an excellent cool-toned bop altoist back in the '50s who spent time working with Stan Kenton. For this album, he is heard on two different occasions providing arrangements and alto solos for octets. With such fine players as either Jack Montrose or Bill Perkins on tenor, Bob Gordon or Pepper Adams on baritone, and other top West Coast jazz musicians, Niehaus primarily performs cool jazz. The inventive charts (which on the later date utilize a French horn and a tuba) and the superior, concise solos make this a set well worth acquiring by fans of the West Coast jazz sound of the '50s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-k_BbSPJQM

#LennieNiehaus #stankenton #pepperadams #westcoastjazz #1958inmusic

Something Else By Johnny Richards released on Bethelem Records in 1956.

Marc Myers wrote for Jazz Wax:

"...the album features Richards compositions and arrangements and a band that will make West Coast jazz fans gasp.

Waltz Anyone featured Pete Candoli, Buddy Childers and Maynard Ferguson (tp); Stu Williamson (tp,v-tb); Tommy Pederson, Frank Rosolino and Milt Bernhart (tb); John Cave (fhr); Albert Pollan (tu); Charlie Mariano (as); Richie Kamuca (ts); Ronnie Lang (bar,pic); Bill Holman (bassax); Marty Paich (p); Buddy Clark (b); Stan Levey (d); Lou Singer (perc) and Johnny Richards (arr,cond)...

..The arrangements are fresh and spectacular, and the solos are sterling."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6Lg3jRaOzo&list=PLEbR7gIJfzeNamIFDyYhYYv95I5d7YBif&index=1

#johnnyrichards #bigbandjazz #swing #westcoastjazz #charliemariano #martypaich #frankrosolino #maynardferguson #1956 #50smusic

Shelly Manne & His Men - Jazz from the Pacific Northwest

The Jazz Detective hunts down another gem - a 1958 performance at the Monterey Jazz Festival (including a surprising jet flyover) and a 1966 session for the radio show "Jazz at the Penthouse”. Swinging fun.

Sound is really great throughout. The RSD2024 release is well pressed with great liner notes. A digital and CD release is coming on the 10th.

#nowplaying #vinyl #jazz #westcoastjazz #shellymanne