The West Coast Jazz Box, an Anthology of California Jazz [BOX SET]

Various Artists - Jazz

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 12, 1999)
• Original Release Date: December 15, 1998
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Contemporary
• ASIN: B00000FXNT
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #237,247 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Although California jazz is often considered synonymous with the "cool" sounds of musicians like Chet Baker and Gerry Mulligan, the West Coast milieu was actually as diverse as the East Coast jazz scene. This impressive four-disc collection chronologically documents the progression and development of the many genres existing within the context of California jazz. While cerebral players like Dave Brubeck, Jimmy Guiffre, and Art Pepper are featured here, this anthology also includes works by more passionate figures, including Charles Mingus and Dexter Gordon. Highlighting cuts by visitors like Miles Davis alongside performances of local heroes like Shelly Manne and Howard Rumsey, this compilation is as enjoyable as it is instructive. From cool to swing to bop to bossa nova and beyond, California had it all. --Mitch Myers

Los Angeles Times
This endlessly fascinating four-CD boxed set ... encompasses less than a decade-and-a-half of West Coast jazz, from 1950 to 1964. In doing so, it reveals an extraordinary amount of fruitful music, all of it taking place simultaneously, in a relatively brief period of time, all of it clearly identifying the West Coast--and Los Angeles, specifically--as a major center for a bristling array of jazz activities.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the best of the best in the music, April 29, 2000

By	Ian Muldoon (Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Don't be put off by the title AN ANTHOLOGY OF CALIFORNIA JAZZ which may conjure up some bland, ice-cream type, hair bleached, shallow feel-good music. This boxed set has excerpts from some of the very best jazz of the fifties, period, and includes work by Mr Miles Davis, Mr Sonny Rollins, Mr Ornette Coleman,Mr Clifford Brown, Mr Ben Webster and Mr Art Tatum. It includes, for me, some of my all time favourite tracks from some all time favourite albums including: BERNIE'S TUNE and MY FUNNY VALENTINE by the ORIGINAL Mulligan Quartet;ETUDE DE CONCERT by Shelley Manne and his Men; DAAHOUD by the Clifford Brown Ensemble; BLUE SANDS by the Chico Hamilton Quintet which has one of Mr Jim Hall's greatest solos ; KATANGA by Curtis Amy Sextet featuring the work of underrated unknown trumpet player Mr Dupree Bolton; YOU'D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO by the Art Pepper Quartet featuring the rhythm section of Mr Miles Davis; THE FOX by the Harold Land Quintet again featuring Mr Dupree Bolton on trumpet;and finally, 2 DEGREES EAST, 3 DEGREES WEST which is a truly beautiful track from a great album by Mr John Lewis called GRAND ENCOUNTERS (Bill Perkins, John Lewis, Jim Hall, Percy Heath, Chico Hamilton). Because there is so much good music on this anthology, it's best to take it a little at a time so rich are its benefits. Once you put on Track One of CD one and hear the palpable excitement of Mr Wardell Gray and Mr Dexter Gordon live, there may, however, be no turning back! GO FOR IT! One of my best buys of 1999.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little taste of the era, July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This collection along with the enclosed notes will help any jazz listener, new or old, to savor a little taste of the era. It may also whet your appetite, as it did mine, for more music from some of the featured artists.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sampling of the greatest groups of COOL Jazz, February 6, 1999

By A Customer

Getz, Mulligan, John Lewis, Eric Dolphy, Woody Hermans Herd, Chet Baker (at his best), Cal Tjader - The truly greats of the era play some of the best tunes, like Bernies Tune, and My Funny Valentine, and others of the West Coast phenom! I truly enjoyed the mix and the variety of this monumental package. I consider it a milestone in what may become a revival of really cool sound. Thanks.