Joseph Castro

JOSEPH CASTRO Joseph Armand Castro, 82, of Las Vegas, passed away Dec. 13, 2009. He was a talented musician, loving husband and father, and a dear friend to many. Born Aug. 15, 1927, in Miami, Ariz., he was the son of John and Lucy Castro of Pittsburg, Calif. He began playing music professionally, as a pianist, at the age of 15. Joe enrolled at San Jose State University, but his attendance was interrupted twice - first by a stint in the U.S. Army, and later when he formed his first jazz trio working on both the West Coast and in Hawaii. In 1956, Joe moved to New York City, where his trio successfully appeared in the city's top jazz clubs - Basin Street East, The Embers, The Hickory House and Birdland. He was critically lauded by the likes Leonard Feather, and Dave Brubeck, who had known Castro since the early 1950s. In 1958, he moved to Los Angeles to be associated almost exclusively with renowned jazz musicians: Teddy Edwards, Billy Higgins and Leroy Vinnegar. Castro recorded and performed extensively with The Teddy Edwards Quartet while also making two of his own recordings as a leader for Atlantic Records. The first album entitled, "Mood Jazz" (1956), and the second entitled, "Groove Funk Soul" (1958). Throughout the 50's and 60's, Joe toured the world playing in a variety of venues - The London Palladium, The Mars Club in Paris, and Bricktop's in Rome. He played with jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Zoot Sims and Oscar Pettiford. Later, tobacco heiress/jazz enthusiast Doris Duke and then long-term boyfriend, Castro, along with silent partner and friend, Duke Ellington, formed record company Clover Records and music publishing company Jo-Do. Castro's third album as a leader entitled, "Lush Life" was the only album released on Clover Records. From 1959 to 1960, Castro also backed vocalists Anita O'Day, June Christy, and was the music director for Tony Martin from 1961 to 1963. While working, writing and arranging for the Hawaiian Symphony, he met and married vocalist/pianist Loretta Faith Haddad in 1966. They were married for 41 years until her death in June 2008. Joe and Loretta performed and lived together in Hawaii and Los Angeles before eventually moving to Las Vegas in 1971, where they raised two sons. Joe continued to accompany vocalists and play in Las Vegas pit bands, and arranging for the likes of Joe Williams, Count Basie and Al Hibbler until he became the musical director for the Tropicana Hotel's Folies Bergere. He retired in the late 80's, but continued to play in jazz combos until his death. He is survived by his sons, John (Cynthia) Castro of New York City, and James (Lisa) Castro of Las Vegas. All will miss his proud/gregarious nature and sense of humor, but most importantly, the gift of music he gave and inspired to so many. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at Palm Mortuary, 1600 S. Jones Blvd.