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

Castro 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

As leader

• 1957 Mood Jazz – Atlantic
• 1958 Groove Funk Soul – Atlantic
• 1960 Lush Life – Clover

As sideman

• 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

• 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]