Early Ambition, Divided Opinion
A young bandleader testing his arranging skills with uneven but genuine results.
Go West, Man! arrived early in Quincy Jones's career, when he was still finding his voice as a leader and arranger. Released in 1957, the album captures a musician in motion—not yet the accomplished producer and composer he would become, but already thinking deliberately about orchestration and sound. This was his second time leading a studio session, a moment when most jazz players are still figuring out what they have to say.
The album divided listeners then and now. Disc magazine gave it five stars, hearing something worth celebrating in Jones's arrangements and vision. AllMusic, decades later, was far less convinced, rating it two stars—a stark disagreement that tells you this is the kind of record people either connect with or don't. There's no middle ground here. For some ears, the writing and the execution justify the faith. For others, the results don't match the ambition.
What matters most is where it sits in his timeline. This isn't a peak, and it wasn't a turning point that redirected his career. Go West, Man! is what it is: an early statement from someone with real talent who was still learning the difference between arranging brilliance and arranging restraint. If you're curious about Jones the young bandleader, it's worth hearing. If you want to understand why he mattered later, you'll find more consistent evidence elsewhere in his catalog.
Who's playing
Red Mitchellbass
Leroy Vinnegarbass
Lou Levypiano
Benny Carteralto saxophone
Herb Gelleralto saxophone
Charlie Marianoalto saxophone
Art Pepperalto saxophone
Pepper Adamsbaritone saxophone
Walter Bentontenor saxophone
Buddy Collettetenor saxophone
Bill Perkinstenor saxophone
Conte Candolitrumpet
Pete Candolitrumpet
Harry “Sweets” Edisontrumpet
Jack Sheldontrumpet
Mel Lewisdrums
Where next?
More by Quincy Jones
Big Band Bossa Nova 1962
Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux 1993
Back on the Block 1989
Walking in Space 1969
The musicians on this record
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section 1957
Art Pepper
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
Bob Brookmeyer Featuring John Williams & Red Mitchell 1963
Red Mitchell
plays bass here
plays bass here
