The music known as West Coast Jazz was a many-splendored thing, especially when it was created under the leadership of drummer Shelly Manne. During his first decade as a Contemporary recording artist, Manne delivered his personal interpretations of modern jazz standards, experimental compositions, Broadway scores, and television soundtracks in settings that ranged from the familiar to the unprecedented. This overview of his often surprising and always swinging work features great composers (Shorty Rogers, Henry Mancini, and John Williams among them) and great players (Russ Freeman, Richie Kamuca, Charlie Mariano, Art Pepper, André Previn, and others), all buoyed by Manne's musical curiosity and inspirational beat.

with Monty Budwig, Conte Candoli, Bob Cooper, Curtis Counce, Bob Enevoldsen, Victor Feldman, Russ Freeman, Jimmy Giuffre, Richie Kamuca, Charlie Mariano, Red Mitchell, Marty Paich, Art Pepper, André Previn, Shorty Rogers, Bud Shank, Leroy Vinnegar, Stu Williamson, and others