Richie Cole - West Side Story (1996) [2017 SACD]

"On this enjoyable CD, bebop altoist Richie Cole performs seven of the main themes from West Side Story, plus his own complex 'West Side Blues.' Cole teams up with his longtime guitarist Vic Juris, pianist Lou Forestieri, bassist Ed Howard, drummer Tommy Campbell and veteran percussionist Ray Mantilla to give the familiar melodies his 'alto madness' treatment, being respectful of the themes while stretching out. Highlights include 'America,' 'Maria' and 'Tonight.'" - Scott Yanow, allmusic.com

"This is a winner, not only for Cole's bubbly bebop alto saxophone but also for the imaginative sextet arrangements and the revival of Leonard Bernstein's score that includes 'Something’s Coming, ' 'Maria,' 'I Feel Pretty,' 'Tonight' and others. Ray Mantilla's percussion adds the necessary Latin flavor to the performances. The predominant melody sound is Cole's alto in unison with Vic Juris' guitar an octave lower. But sometimes there is three-part counterpoint among Cole, Juris and pianist Lou Forestieri. Bassist Ed Howard and drummer Tommy Campbell complete this excellent, larger-than-life combo. Percussion introduces 'America,' whereas 'Something’s Coming' emerges from contrapuntal lines. Cole treats the ballads 'Maria' and 'Somewhere,' strong melodic tunes, to worthy improvisation-passionate but not overdone. For the finale, the group plays 'West Side Blues,' a Cole original that incorporates snippets of Bernstein's melodies into its own groove. Hear, hear." - Owen Cordle, JazzTimes[right][/right]

Tracks:

01. Something's Coming
02. America
03. Maria
04. I Feel Pretty
05. Cool & Jet Song
06. Tonight
07. Somewhere
08. West Side Blues

《 All songs Composeded by Leonard Bernstein Except : West Side Blues by Lou Forestieri 》

Personnel:

Richie Cole - alto sax
Vic Juris - guitar
Lou Forestieri - piano
Ed Howard - bass
Tommy Campbell - drums
Ray Mantilla - percussion