In the early 1950s the West Coast was becoming a breeding ground for jazz workshops and experimental groups. Under the leadership of the late Shelly Manne, many of the Los Angeles area’s preeminent soloists and composers were afforded an opportunity to display their talents. Represented here are Jimmy Giuffre (both as soloist and composer), Art Pepper, Marty Paich, and composers Shorty Rogers and Bill Russo, among others. Original works such as Rogers’s “Afrodesia” and Manne’s “Grasshopper” (arranged by Bill Holman, who played tenor sax on the date) attest to the durability of the 1950s West Coast sound.

with Bob Cooper, Curtis Counce, Bob Enevoldsen, Russ Freeman, Jimmy Giuffre, Bill Holman, Joe Mondragon, Ralph Pena, Joe Maini, Jr., Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Marty Paich