To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of West Side Story on Broadway, Dave Grusin revived the score, giving its ten themes fresh arrangements that keep the original melodies in mind but add a stronger dose of jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms to the music. For the most rewarding recording of this music since Stan Kenton's powerful renditions of the early 1960s, Grusin utilized an all-star big band with strings. Among the key soloists are trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Bill Evans (who takes several superlative soprano solos), Michael Brecker on tenor, baritonist Ronnie Cuber and flutist Dave Valentin (who is featured on a purposely cute rendition of "I Feel Pretty") plus the pianist/leader, who clearly loves the music. In addition, one song apiece features vocalists Jonathan Butler ("Maria"), Gloria Estefan and Jon Secada. Although one wishes that the singers were more jazz-oriented (or that the entire date were instrumental), the overall result is a very respectful yet creative reworking of the famous score. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
All Music Guide Review
Track Listing
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Credits
- Jan Mullen
- Violin
- Don Murray
- Engineer
- Keith O'Quinn
- Trombone (Tenor), Tenor Trombone
- Paul Peabody
- Violin
- John Pintavalle
- Violin
- Sue Pray
- Viola
- Jim Pugh
- Trombone (Tenor)
- Phil Ramone
- Producer
- Lee Ritenour
- Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar
- Roger Rosenberg
- Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Tenor), E Flat Clarinet, Sax (Bass)
- Eric Schilling
- Engineer
- Laura Seaton
- Violin
- Richard Sortomme
- Violin
- Byron Stripling
- Trumpet
- Marti Sweet
- Violin
- Donna Tecco
- Violin
- Dave Weckl
- Drums
- John Wydrycs
- Mixing
- Andy Baltimore
- Art Direction, Design
- Jason Goldstein
- Assistant Engineer
- Clay McBride
- Photography
- Jason Stasium
- Assistant Engineer
- Diane Baere
- Celli
- Elena Baere
- Concert Master
- Joshua Tyler Crookham
- Vocals (Background)
- Cella
- Art Direction
- Bill Neighbors
- Executive Producer
- Jeff Lang
- French Horn
- David Taylor
- Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)
- Darryl Tookes
- Vocals (Background)
- Karen Kamon
- Vocals (Background)
- John Clark
- French Horn
- Jon Secada
- Performer
- Bill Evans
- Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
- Bob Carlisle
- French Horn
- Jill Dell'Abate
- Vocals (Background)
- Michael Abene
- Arranger
- Abe Appleman
- Violin
- Julien Barber
- Viola
- Diane Barere
- Cello
- Jeff Clayton
- Clarinet, Flute, Oboe
- Dave Grusin
- Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Main Performer, Arranger
- Kevin DiSimone
- Vocals (Background)
- Don Sebesky
- Arranger
- Mary Helen Ewing
- Viola
- Lawrence Feldman
- Clarinet, Flute, Sax (Alto)
- Sammy Figueroa
- Percussion
- Frank Filipetti
- Engineer, Mixing
- Barry Finclair
- Violin
- Guy Finley
- Vocals (Background)
- Greg Gisbert
- Trumpet, Flugelhorn
- Diva Gray
- Vocals (Background)
- Regis Iandiorio
- Violin
- Jean Ingraham
- Violin
- Hilary James
- Vocals (Background)
- Ted Jensen
- Mastering
- Birch Johnson
- Trombone (Tenor), Tenor Trombone
- Tony Kadleck
- Trumpet
- Rory Kaplan
- Executive Producer
- Carol Landon
- Viola
- Ann Leathers
- Violin
- Richard Locker
- Cello, Celli
- Bob Ludwig
- Mastering
- Gloria Estefan
- Performer
- Michael Brecker
- Sax (Tenor)
- Jonathan Butler
- Performer
- Ronnie Cuber
- Clarinet, Sax (Baritone), Clarinet (Bass)
- Eddie Gómez
- Liner Notes
- John Patitucci
- Bass (Acoustic)
- Jerome Richardson
- Clarinet, Flute, Flute (Alto), Sax (Tenor)
- Arturo Sandoval
- Trumpet, Flugelhorn
- Tom Scott
- Arranger
- Dave Valentin
- Flute
- George Young
- Flute, Piccolo














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