Shorty Rogers

Featuring: Shorty Rogers (flgh); Al Porcino, Buddy Childers, Don Fagerquist (tp), Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts (tb), Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb), Bud Shank (fl, as), Herb Geller (as), Bill Perkins (fl, ts); Bob Cooper, Bill Holman (ts), Chuck Gentry (bs), Pete Jolly (p), Joe Mondragon AND Buddy Clark (b)


Shorty Rogers is best known on the international jazz scene as a symbol of West Coast Jazz. However, this is a very incomplete picture, for his talents and interests extended far beyond the rather limited concept originally denoted by that term. His work around Hollywood also included a series of major studio assignments, orchestrating, playing, and a broad variety of recording ventures of his own, including, among others, big band writing and movie scores. In 1958, attracted by the wild brassy sounds of the Pérez Prado orchestra and its fierce Afro-Cuban rhythms, he assembled a jazz big band, along with eight percussionists, in an adventurous, electrifying album called "Afro-Cuban Influence." A year later he was engaged to compose the movie soundtrack of the MGM production Tarzan, the Ape Man. It produced another accomplished Rogers’ score, this time with a jungle-like atmosphere. All the ingredients and devices that distinguished his characteristic big band writing are here, propelled by a volcanic drum section, and garnished with atmospheric solos over the orchestral background. This excellent soundtrack later became the equally admirable album "Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan."


Tracklisting:

01. Wuayacañjanga Suite
02. Manteca
03. Moon Over Cuba
04. Viva Puente
05. Un Poco Loco
06. The Elephants Wail
07. Los Barbaros
08. Paradise Found
09. Trapped
10. Los Primitivos
11. Oomgawa
12. Tarzanic Suite