Joseph Armand Castro (August 15, 1927 – December 13, 2009) was an American bebop jazz pianist, based primarily on the West Coast of the United States.
Biography
editCastro was born in Miami, Arizona on August 15, 1927.[1] Castro began playing professionally at the age of 15 in the San Francisco Bay area.[1] After army service ended in 1947, he formed a small band.[1] In 1956 Castro moved to New York City, where his trio appeared in jazz clubs.[1] In 1958, he moved to Los Angeles, where he joined Teddy Edwards' quartet.[1] Castro recorded two albums as a leader for Atlantic Records: Mood Jazz in 1957 and Groove Funk Soul in 1960.[1]
He often participated in informal jam sessions at the Beverly Hills estate of his partner, Doris Duke.[1] Many of the performances were captured on tape.[2] He died in 2009 at age 82.
Discography
editAs leader
edit- 1957 Mood Jazz – Atlantic
- 1958 Groove Funk Soul – Atlantic
- 1960 Lush Life – Clover
As sideman
edit- 1956 Zoot Sims with the Joe Castro Trio Live at the Falcon Lair – Pablo Records
- 1958 Bob Andrews Presents West Coast Sax Mode – Vantage Records
- 1958 Teddy Edwards Teddy Edwards at Falcon's Lair – MetroJazz
- 1959 Teddy Edwards Quartet Sunset Eyes – Pacific Jazz Records
- 1959 June Christy Ballads for Night People, Road Show – Capitol Records
- 1959 Stan Kenton & His Orchestra/June Christy/The Four Freshmen Road Show – Capitol Records
- 1960 Teddy Edwards Quartet Teddy's Ready! – Contemporary Records
- 1960 Anita O'Day and Billy May Swing Rodgers and Hart – Verve Records
- 1960 June Christy Something Cool (stereo version) – Capitol Records
- 1960 June Christy The Cool School – Capitol Records
Compilations
edit
- 2015 Joe Castro – Lush Life: A Musical Journey (includes jam sessions at Doris Duke's Falcon's Lair mansion and other previously unreleased recordings) – Sunnyside Records[3]