Oscar Peterson Trio - West Side Story

West Side Story is a 1962 studio album by Oscar Peterson and his trio. The album features jazz interpretations of seven songs from the film West Side Story. 

West Side Story Review

 

by Ken Dryden

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West Side Story was a bit of an unusual session for several reasons. First, the popularity of both the Broadway musical and the film version that followed meant that there were many records being made of its music. Second, rather than woodshed on the selections prior to entering the studio, the Oscar Peterson Trio spontaneously created impressions of the musical's themes on the spot. "Something's Coming" seems like a series of vignettes, constantly shifting its mood, as if moving from one scene to the next. Ray Brown plays arco bass behind Peterson in the lovely "Somewhere," while the feeling to "Jet Song" is very hip in the trio's hands. The snappy interplay between the musicians in the brisk setting of "Tonight" turns it into a swinger. "Maria" initially has a light, dreamy quality, though it evolves into a solid groove. The romp through "I Feel Pretty" is full of humor, while the CD closes with a brief reprise of several themes from the musical to wrap the session with a flourish. 

Oscar Peterson Trio 

West Side Story

1. "Something's Coming" – 3:57
2. "Somewhere" – 5:38
3. "Jet Song" – 7:49
4. "Tonight" – 4:38
5. "Maria" – 4:55
6. "I Feel Pretty" – 4:30
7. "Reprise" – 3:57

• Oscar Peterson - piano
• Ray Brown - double bass
• Ed Thigpen - drums