Later "West Coast jazz" records

[Rabshakeh]

Does anyone have any favourites by the core players in the "West Coast jazz" category (Bud Shank, Shorty Rogers, Bob Cooper etc) from 1975 onwards?

We had a nice discussion on the excellent Atlas records a while back but I would be interested in other recommendations.

Probably for ease of use, it may be a good idea to exclude Art Pepper's obvious post prison leader dates.

[Big Beat Steve]

I've hardly ever looked actively for those latter-day recordings as in my (admittedly not comprehensive) experience they are often "plagued" by certain "updated" traits (not necessarily in the leader's playing but just as much with the backing musicians or the overall arrangements) that don't do that much for me. 

But one I've come to like is the "Dave Pell Octet Plays Again" set (Fresh Sound FSR-101) recorded in 1984. 
https://www.discogs.com/release/5582953-The-Dave-Pell-Octet-The-Dave-Pell-Octet-Plays-Again

Straight-ahead jazz that retains a "modernized" Westcoast vibe and shows Pell blowing more than on some of his comparatively polite 50s records.

Another one I enjoy from time to time is "Bill Holman: A View From The Side" (JVC-2050-2) recorded in 1995.
https://www.discogs.com/master/829495-The-Bill-Holman-Band-A-View-From-The-Side

But remember - I never explored those later works by West Coast artists in greater depth, so what I like may well be among the "also-rans" among other forumists' lists of favorites. 

[Niko]

there's lots of music of that type that I like a lot, especially when the second and third row of actors are included... basically, I have acquired many records that roughly fit the bill because I tend to buy anything with Frank Strazzeri or Mike Wofford on them... some favorites:

Bob Cooper - The Music Of Michel Legrand - Vol.1
Bill Perkins – Remembrance Of Dino's
John Tirabasso – Live Jazz At Dino's (Quartet with Frank Strazzeri, Putter Smith and Gary Foster)
Paul Moer – Plays The Music Of Elmo Hope
Don Thompson & His West Coast Friends – Days Gone By (with Monty Budwig and Mike Wofford)

if you include people who missed their chance when West Coast Jazz was big:

Chuck Foster Featuring Pete Christlieb – Long Overdue! (with Frank Strazzeri)
Gary Lefebvre Quartet (with Leroy Vinegar and Frank Butler)

there's, of course, more, including some nice 1980s and 1990s albums on Fresh Sound, and also some Xanadu albums that fit the bill (because they involve people like Dolo Coker, Monty Budwig, Frank Butler, Leroy Vinegar.... such as Home is where the Soul is by Kenny Drew or the Frank Butler album that features Jack Montrose... 

Edited yesterday at 11:49 AM by Niko

[mikeweil]

I found the later Claude Williamson piano trios to be very inspired.

[JSngry]

Bill Perkins, consistently.

[Joe]

Frank Strazzeri made some fine records in the 70s for Revelation, Discovery, and Catalyst.

This "reunion" record is quite good.

The Lennie Niehaus Fresh Sounds dates are also worth tracking down. 2 studio dates with Perkins and (on one but not the other, Jack Nimitz).

Edited 18 hours ago by Joe

[Peter Friedman]

The reality is I could list at lest 100. Here are just a few that quickly come to mind

Here are some more.

[JSngry]

Name recognition aplenty!

[JSngry]

 

[Dub Modal]

I'd recommend just about any Chico Hamilton record post '75. I haven't heard them all but the ones I've heard are all solid. Starting with Nomad, but can go as far as Believe and Twelve Tones of Love. 

[JSngry]

Chico also did two good records for Solid State that had Steve Potts on hand. And then the two Blue Notes that had Arthur Blythe.

Don't sleep on Chico Hamilton!

[JSngry]

 

[mhatta]

I think Lou Levy is one of the West Coast jazz veterans whose work since 1975 has been overlooked. While he has released several excellent albums as a bandleader, I feel he was essentially the house pianist for West Coast jazz from the 1970s onward. He also appeared on many Atlas recordings.

 

Edited 13 hours ago by mhatta

[Rabshakeh]

This is a great response. Thanks everyone!

[Big Beat Steve]

Indeed some intriguing recommendations of relatively "recent" recordings here ... Many of which I cannot recall having ever come across before. Maybe time to look closer as and when the occasions present themselves ... 

 

[Joe]

[Peter Friedman]