When the producers of the film
West Side Story heard a sampling of what the
Stan Kenton Orchestra had done to their score, they were disappointed that they had not thought to ask the band to play on the soundtrack.
Johnny Richards's arrangements of ten of the famous play's melodies are alternately dramatic and tender with plenty of the passion displayed by the characters in the story. Soloists include altoist
Gabe Baltazar, veteran tenor
Sam Donahue and trumpeter
Conte Candoli, but it is the raging ensembles that are most memorable about the classic recording. This CD reissue is highly recommended.