5.0 out of 5 stars
Richie Cole + West Side Story =A Winner, January 28, 2011
This review is from: Richie Cole Plays West Side Story (Audio CD)
I have loved the music from West Side Story since I was young. Who can resist the magic of songs such as "Maria" and "Tonight." Other jazz musicians such as Oscar Peterson have done albums based on this musical, and I can attest that Richie's album is as good as it gets.
From the moment you hear Richie play the first track "Something's Coming", you will know you are in for a treat. This is no quick rip-off. As Richie says in the liner notes, he has been working on these charts with painist Lou Forestieri for several years. The effort shows, as Richie and his group give swinging, hard-bop readings of these Leonard Bernstein compositions.
The rest of the group includes long time guitar associate Vic Juris, who adds his big guitar sound to this effort. Also, Tommy Campbell is on drums and Ray Mantilla is on percussion. Although I normally don't care for percussion on jazz recordings, you have to remember that "West Side Story" was about Latin gang members, so Ray is very appropriate.
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