SKF NOTE: The Peter Nero Trio’s “West Side Story” medley is sheer musical brilliance. Anyone should be able to appreciate it, but that is especially true for musicians who have worked to create new arrangements and sounds while working in acoustic piano trios.

This live album was recorded in NYC in 1963. I picked up a vinyl copy while living in IA in the early 1970s and was stunned by Joe Cusatis’s drumming throughout. But especially on this medley.

After 50 years of carting this album with me I digitized it. Do I own the copyright? No. And I will remove this post if the copyright owner insists.

But until that happens – or until the copywrite owner has the wisdom to reissue this album digitally – enjoy this brilliant performance by Joe Cusatis with the Peter Nero Trio.