Gold Coast Jazz

This was the first recording released on the Criteria label in 1957. While The Octet was modeled on the Dave Pell Octet, Lon Norman's arrangements were totally original. This stereo recording puts on display Miami's finest musicians of the time, including Bill Ladley, Jerry Marshall, Eddie Gralka, Marvin Marvin, Berry Poger, Paul Sarmento, Joe Black & Frank DeFabio. Criteria founder Mac Emerman, who produced and engineered this date, went on to become a legendary recording engineer and studio owner. This session sounds and feels like it was recorded in Hollywood. The musicians are no slouches and the charts are excellent.