West Side Story Bossa Nova featuring Thomas and Barron swapping solos, and wrapping with an unusually upbeat treatment of the normally low-key ballad "Somewhere." " All compositions by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim Note West Side Story Bossa Nova West Side Story Bossa Nova is an album by saxophonist Bill Barron fearturing bossa nova versions of tunes from the Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim musical "West Side Story" which was recorded in 1963 and first released on the Dauntlesss label. In his review on Allmusic, Ken Dryden states "The tenor saxophonist's orchestra is actually only a septet, but it's a potent group who puts out
Stephen Sondheim approached by Laurents and Robbins for a musical version of Gypsy Rose Lee's memoir after Irving Berlin and Cole Porter turned it down. Sondheim agreed, but Ethel Merman – cast as Mama Rose – had just finished "Happy Hunting" with an unknown composer (Harold Karr) and lyricist (Matt Dubey). Although Sondheim wanted to write the music and lyrics, Merman refused to let another first-time composer write for her and demanded that Jule Styne write the music. Sondheim, concerned that writing lyrics again would pigeonhole him as a lyricist, called his mentor for advice. Hammerstein told him he should take the