Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com
Jazz has always had more than its fair share of lucky personalities—highly charismatic, captivating artists. One of the most charming and least-known was Joe Castro, a relentlessly upbeat, easy-going and gregarious pianist who was close with Dave Brubeck, Zoot Sims, Teddy Edwards, Duke Ellington, Lucky Thompson, Louis Armstrong and June Christy, to name just a few. But Castro's spell wouldn't have lasted long if his drive and talent hadn't been exceptional. He recorded on the West Coast in the late 1950s and early '60s, particularly with Christy and Teddy Edwards, and with Anita O'Day in his later years. But for some reason there's precious little of Castro in the studio. [Above, Joe Castro and June Christy]
Now, a new box set fills in the blanks, providing ample evidence of Castro's wide-ranging talents. Joe Castro: Lush Life, a Musical Journey (Sunnyside) features six CDs of previously unreleased private recordings in a variety of settings. There are never-before heard abstract works with Chico Hamilton and Buddy Collette in 1954; private recordings Castro made of Teddy Wilson in 1955; jam sessions with Teddy Edwards, Billy Higgins and Leroy Vinnegar in 1959; a Teddy Edwards Tentet date in 1966; and perhaps the most exciting material in the box—the Joe Castro Big Band featuring top West Coast players and the finest orchestral recording of Teddy Edwards' Sunset EyesI've ever heard.
As jazz musicians go, Castro went against type. To my knowledge, he didn't have alcohol or substance abuse issues. He didn't seem to have issues with demons nor was he self-destructive. Instead, Castro was a swinging pianist who loved playing for audiences and is cheery in almost every photo taken of him. Some of this may be attributed to his good fortune. He had a long-term romantic relationship with heiress Doris Duke in the 1950s that may or may not have resulted in a marriage. It's unclear. Either way, the union exposed him to wealth, world capitals, a recording studio Duke built for him on her property at Falcon Lair in Beverly Hills, and friendships with powerful artists and executives in the jazz and entertainment industries. [Above, Big Jay McNeely blows for Doris Duke and Joe Castro]
The Castro-Duke relationship eventually cooled and wound up in a legal tiff in 1964, followed by the dropping of the claims and a reuniting. As part of their make-up arrangement, Duke gave Castro capital control of their label—Clover Records—and their music publishing company, JODO. But Castro's fondness for being away touring and booking recording artists he loved but who weren't particularly well known meant the label was burning through cash without much to show on the sales side. Clover and JODO were dissolved in 1966.
That year, Castro married Loretta Haddad, a pianist-singer, and the pair remained together until Haddad's passing in 2008. Castro died in 2009. Duke died in 1993. [Above, Castro, Philly Joe Jones and Cannonball Adderley]
JazzWax note: For more on Joe Castro, including his biography and discography of studio recordings, visit the tribute site set up by his son, James Castro, here. Scroll down and start by clicking on Chapter 1.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Joe Castro: Lush Life, a Musical Journey (Sunnyside), a six-CD set, here.
JazzWax clip: Here's the the Joe Castro Big Band playing Sunset Eyes, arranged by Castro. The band, contracted by Al Porcino, featured Porcino, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson and Jimmy Zito (tp); Dick Noel, Mike Barone, Ken Shroyer and Frank Rosolino (tb); Anthony Ortega (as, fl); Gabe Baltazar (as); Bob Cooper and Teddy Edwards (ts); Bill Hood (bari); Joe Castro (p, arr); Ron Anthony (g); Leroy Vinnegar (b) and Carl Lott (d)...
And here's There Will Never Be Another You in 1956 recorded at Duke Farms in Somerville, N.J., with Lucky Thompson (ts), John Glasel (tp), Joe Castro (p), Oscar Pettiford (b) and Ron Jefferson (d)...
Used with permission by Marc Myers
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