Where technology meets art

Joe Policastro Jeru, March 2020 –
Chicago, Illinois

West Coast jazz developed largely in Los Angeles in the 1950s and 1960s and stood in contrast to the music of hard-bop developed on the East Coast during the same time. Classic hard-bop was infused with the blues and gospel, often hard driving, whereas West Coast jazz was not and manifested a more lyrical, mellow sound stressing arrangement and blended harmonies.  One of its premier proponents was the baritone saxophone player, Gerry Mulligan (nicknamed “Jeru”), to whom this session was dedicated.  Here, as in Mulligan’s classic quartet, there is no piano, but just baritone sax, trumpet, bass and drums.  This homage to West Coast jazz is beautifully executed by Joe Policastro’s group, and gorgeously captured on tape in stark, but natural, realism.  This is world class music captured by world class microphones.  It rises to demonstration quality for both the music lover and audiophile.  Not to be missed.