Check out the top Classic
Jazz Performances On CD and DVD
54 Classic Jazz CD Part 1
54 Classic Jazz CD Part 2
54 Live
Jazz Performances ON DVD
Art Pepper Discography

Used by permission-Photo By
Nathan Callahan
1943 (The age of 18)
Stan Kenton Orchestra

Art Pepper (as) Stan Kenton (comp) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, November 19, 1943
| Harlem Folk Dance | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
1947 (The age of 22)
The Modern Jazz Stars

Art Pepper (as) Teddy Edwards (ts) unknown (p) unknown (b) unknown (d)
Los Angeles, CA, April 27, 1947
| Scratch | Crown CLP 5008 |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Art Pepper (as) Stan Kenton (comp) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, October 22, 1947
| Unison Riff | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, December 6, 1947
| Cuban Carnival | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Eddie Safranski And The Poll Cats
Ray Wetzel (tp) Eddie Bert (tb) Art Pepper (as) Bob Cooper (ts) Pete Rugolo (p, arr) Eddie Safranski (b) Shelly Manne (d)
NYC, December 20, 1947
| 91 | Sa-Frantic | Atlantic 851, EP 512; Unique Jazz UJ 036 |
| 92 | Bass Mood | - |
| 93 | Turmoil | Atlantic 864, EP 512; Unique Jazz UJ 036 |
| 94 | Jumpin' For Jane | - |
* The Poll Cats (Atlantic EP 512)
* The Poll Cats - Sa-Frantic c/w Bass Mood (Atlantic 851)
* The Poll Cats - Turmoil c/w Jumpin' For Jane (Atlantic 864)
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Art Pepper (as) Stan Kenton (comp) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, December 21, 1947
| Journey To Brazil | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 | |
| How High The Moon | - |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, December 22, 1947
| Harlem Holiday | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
1949
Babs Gonzales And His Orchestra
J.J. Johnson (tb) Art Pepper (as) Herbie Stewart (ts) Wynton Kelly (p) Pee Wee Tinney (g, vo) Bruce Lawrence (b, vo) Jackie Mills (d) Babs Gonzales (vo)
Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, CA, March 20, 1949
| 4099-4 | The Continental | Blue Note CDP 7 84464-2 |
| 4100-1 | Prelude To A Nightmare | - |
Charlie Mingus And His 22 Piece Be Bop Band
John Anderson, Buddy Childers, Hobart Dotson, Eddie Preston (tp) Jimmy Knepper, Marty Smith, Britt Woodman (tb) Eric Dolphy (as, fl, cl) Jewel Grant, Art Pepper (as, cl) Herb Caro (ts, cl) William Green (ts, cl, fl) Gene Porter (bars, cl) Russ Freeman (p) Red Callender, Charles Mingus (b) Roy Porter (d) Johnny Berger (per) and others
Hollywood, CA, spring 1949
| REX28002-A | The Story Of Love | Rex Hollywood 28002; Uptown UPCD 27.48 |
| REX28014-A | Inspiration, Pt. 1 | Rex Hollywood 28014; Uptown UPCD 27.48 |
| REX28014-B | Inspiration, Pt. 2 | - |
* Charles Mingus - The Story Of Love c/w Roy Porter - Don't Blame Me (Rex Hollywood 28002)
* Charles Mingus - Inspiration, Pt. 1&2 (Rex Hollywood 28014)
The Kenton All Stars
Art Farmer (tp) Art Pepper (as) Bob Cooper, Teddy Edwards (ts) Hampton Hawes (p) John Simmons (b) Chuck Thompson (d)
"Shrine Auditorium", Los Angeles, CA, middle April, 1949
| Perdido | Spotlite (E) SPJ 145 | |
| The Great Lie | - |
Babs Gonzales And His Orchestra

J.J. Johnson (tb) Art Pepper (as) Herbie Stewart (ts) Wynton Kelly (p) Billy
Tinney (g, vo) Bruce Lawrence (b) Jackie Mills (d) Babs Gonzales (vo)
Los Angeles, CA, May 15, 1949
| Predule To A Nightmare | Capitol (J) ECJ 50073 |
1950 (The age of 25)
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Art Pepper (as) Stan Kenton (comp) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, February 5, 1950
| Jolly Rogers | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 | |
| Blues In Riff | - |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 1950
| Art Pepper | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Maynard Furguson Orchestra
Maynard Furguson (tp) Art Pepper (as) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, September 13, 1950
| Take The "A" Train | Unique Jazz UJ 036 | |
| Short Wave | - | |
| Love Locked Out | - | |
| Band Ain't Draggin' | - |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Art Pepper (as) Stan Kenton (comp) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, December 12, 1950
| Viva Prado | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 | |
| Round Robin | - |
1951
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Art Pepper (as) Stan Kenton (comp) unidentified orchestra
Los Angeles, CA, March 28, 1951
| Dynaflow | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, May 31, 1951
| Jump For Joe | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, June 29, 1951
| Francesca | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, September 19, 1951
| Sambo | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Stan Kenton Orchestra
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, September 20, 1951
| Street Of Dreams | Capitol (J) ECJ 50070 |
Shorty Rogers And His Giants

Shorty Rogers (tp, arr) John Graas (frh) Gene Englund (tu) Art Pepper (as) Jimmy
Giuffre (ts, arr) Hampton Hawes (p) Don Bagley (b) Shelly Manne (d)
Hollywood, CA, October 8, 1951
| 9117 | Popo | Capitol 15763, 6F-15763, EAP 2-294, H 294, T 691, T 2025; Mosaic MR6-125 |
| 9118 | Didi | Capitol 15765, 6F-15765, EAP 2-294, H 294, T 691, T 2025; Mosaic MR6-125 |
| 9119 | Four Mothers | - |
| 9120 | Over The Rainbow | Capitol 15764, 6F-15764; Mosaic MR6-125 |
| 9121 | Apropos | Capitol 15764, 6F-15763; Mosaic MR6-125 |
| 9122 | Sam And The Lady | Capitol 15763, 6F-15764; Mosaic MR6-125 |
* The Complete Atlantic And EMI Jazz Recordings Of Shorty Rogers (Mosaic MR6-125, MD4-125)
* Gerry Mulligan/Shorty Rogers - Modern Sounds (Capitol EAP 2-294)
* Shorty Rogers - Popo c/w Sam And The Lady (Capitol 15763)
* Shorty Rogers - Didi c/w Four Mothers (Capitol 15765)
* Shorty Rogers - Over The Rainbow c/w Apropos (Capitol 15764)
* Shorty Rogers - Modern Sounds (Capitol 6F-15763)
* Shorty Rogers - Modern Sounds (Capitol 6F-15765)
* Shorty Rogers - Modern Sounds (Capitol 6F-15764)
* Shorty Rogers And His Giants (no details) (Capitol H 294, T 2025)
Shelly Manne Septet


Conte Candoli (tp) Bill Russo (tb) Art Pepper (as) Bob Cooper (ts) Gene Esposito
(p) Don Bargley (b) Shelly Manne (d, vo) Shelby Davis (vo)
Chicago, IL, November 12, 1951
| 3600 | Pooch McGooch | Dee Gee XP 4006, MG 1003; Savoy MG 12045 |
| 3601 | The Count On Rush Street | - |
| 3602 | Back In Your Own Backyard | Dee Gee XP 4006, MG 1003; Regent MG 6031 |
| 3603 | All Of Me | Dee Gee XP 4006, MG 1003; Savoy MG 12045 |
* Various Artists - Singin' And Swingin' (Regent MG 6031; Savoy MG 12060, MG 12217)
* Shelly Manne And Group (Dee Gee MG 1003)
* Shelly Manne, Vol. 1 (Dee Gee XP 4006)
Shorty Rogers Quintet
Shorty Rogers (tp) Art Pepper (as) Frank Patchen (p) Howard Rumsey (b) Shelly Manne (d)
Los Angeles, CA, December 27, 1951
| Popo | Xanadu 148 | |
| Lullaby In Rhythm | - | |
| All The Things You Are | - | |
| Robbins' Nest | - | |
| Scrapple From The Apple | - | |
| Body And Soul | - | |
| Jive At Five | - | |
| Cherokee | - | |
| The recording quality is not the greatest on this 1980 Lp but the very early session by the Lighthouse All-Stars is both historic and quite listenable. Trumpeter Shorty Rogers teams up with altoist Art Pepper, pianist Frank Patchen, bassist Howard Rumsey and drummer Shelly Manne for his own "Popo" (a blues that was Shorty's theme song) plus nine jazz standards including "Lullaby In Rhythm," "Robbins Nest," "Scrapple From The Apple" and "Cherokee." This is one of Pepper's best early showcases and it is for his playing that the album is most highly recommended. | ||
1952
Art Pepper Septet



Shorty Rogers (tp) Milt Burnhart (tb) Art Pepper (as) Jimmy Giuffre (ts) Frank
Patchen (p) Howard Rumsey (b) Shelly Manne (d)
"Lighthouse Club", Hermosa Beach, CA, January 6, 1952
| Tickle Toe | Norma (J) NLP 5001 | |
| Jumpin' At The Woodside | - | |
| September Song | - | |
| Avalon | - | |
| Over The Rainbow | - | |
| Keep And Peachy | - | |
| These Foolish Things | Norma (J) NOCD 5630 | |
| Dickie's Dream | - | |
| Yesterdays | - | |
| Another Hair Do | - | |
| Indiana | - |
* Art Pepper Live At The Lighthouse '52 (Norma (J) NOCD 5630)
Art Pepper Quartet

Art Pepper (as, cl) Hampton Hawes (p) Joe Mondragon (b) Larry Bunker (d, vib)
"Surf Club", Hollywood, CA, early show, February 12, 1952
| How High The Moon | Xanadu 108 | |
| Suzy The Poodle | - | |
| Easy Steppin' | - | |
| Tickle Toe | Xanadu 108, 5001 | |
| Patty Cake | Xanadu 108 | |
| Move | - | |
| All The Things You Are | - | |
| Don't Blame Me | - | |
| Surf Ride | - | |
| Rose Room | - | |
| Suzy The Poodle (alt. take 1) | - |
* Various Artists - Four Decades Of Jazz (Xanadu 5001)
Art Pepper Quartet

Art Pepper (as) Hampton Hawes (p) Joe Mondragon (b) Larry Bunker (d, vib)
"Surf Club", Hollywood, CA, late show, February 12, 1952
| A Night In Tunisia | Xanadu 117 | |
| Spiked Punch | - | |
| The Way You Look Tonight | - | |
| Minor Yours | - | |
| Suzy The Poodle (alt. take 2) | - | |
| Easy Steppin' (alt. take) | - | |
| Chili Pepper | - | |
| LAMJHP | - | |
| Everything Happens To Me | - | |
| Move (alt. take) | - | |
|
Altoist Art Pepper was 26 when he led the quartet heard on this Xanadu
LP at the Surf Club in Hollywood. The earliest documentation of Pepper
as a bandleader is this album and its follow-up, The Late Show. Even at
this early stage Pepper largely had his own sound (he never chose to
copy Charlie Parker) and he was a creative improviser. The sound quality
of these tapes is not state-of-the-art, but the performances by Pepper
(who also plays some effective clarinet on "Rose Room"), pianist Hampton
Hawes, bassist Joe Mondragon and Larry Bunker on drums and vibes are
consistently excellent. The repertoire, standards and Pepper "originals"
based on fairly common chord changes, is typical of the era but Pepper's
often-brilliant solos already put him near the top of his field. The follow-up to The Early Show, this Xanadu LP is quite valuable for it continues the documentation of Art Pepper's earliest recording as a bandleader. Saved on an amateur tape recorder from the audience at Los Angeles' Surf Club, these performances have erratic recording quality, but the music is quite exciting. Pepper, joined by pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Joe Mondragon and Larry Bunker on drums and vibes, performs bop standards and a variety of his originals that were based on the chord changes of familiar tunes. Even at this early stage, Art Pepper's talents and individuality were obvious. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
||
Art Pepper Quartet
![]() ![]() |
Los Angeles, CA, March 4, 1952
| D6001-7 | D6035 | Brown Gold | Discovery 157, EP 19, DL 3019; Savoy MG 12089, SJL 2215 |
| D6002-4 | D6036 | These Foolish Things | Discovery 157, EP 19, DL 3019; Savoy 4518; Regent MG 6069; Savoy SJL 2215 |
| D6003-5 | D6037 | Surf Ride | Discovery 158, EP 19, DL 3019; Savoy MG 12089, MG 12125, SJL 2215 |
| D6004-4 | D6038 | Holiday Flight | Discovery 158, EP 19, DL 3019; Savoy MG 12089, SJL 2215 |
| The music on this Savoy CD (put out by Nippon Columbia) is quite brilliant, but the packaging leaves a lot to be desired. The recording dates are all incorrect, there are only 12 performances included (around 37 minutes) and none of the sessions are reissued in complete form. Two of the dates, quartet outings with either Russ Freeman or Hampton Hawes on piano, have just three of their four numbers reissued while only six of the eight songs from the altoist's classic session with tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose are here. Even if the four missing selections had been included, the program would have totaled around 49 minutes. The somewhat random nature of this set is unfortunate, for Pepper is in superior form throughout with highlights including "Tickle Toe," "The Way You Look Tonight" and his earliest recordings of such originals as "Susie the Poodle," "Straight Life" and "Surf Ride." Get the more definitive LP sets instead. | ||
* Art Pepper - Surf Ride (Savoy MG 12089)
* Various Artists - Black California (Savoy SJL 2215)
* Art Pepper/Sonny Red - Two Altos (Regent MG 6069; Savoy MG 12215)
* Various Artists - The Many Faces Of Blues (Savoy MG 12125)
* Art Pepper Quartet (Discovery EP 19)
* Art Pepper - Brown Gold c/w These Foolish Things (Discovery 157, 45-157)
* Art Pepper - Surf Ride c/w Holiday Flight (Discovery 158, 45-158)
* Art Pepper - These Foolish Things c/w Straight Life (Savoy 4518)
1953
Shorty Rogers And His Giants

Los Angeles, CA, January 12, 1953
| E3VB0007 | Powder Puff | RCA Victor 20/47-5397, LPM 3137 |
| E3VB0008 | The Pesky Serpent | RCA Victor LPM 3137 |
| E3VB0009 | Bunny | RCA Victor EPA 731, LPM 3137 |
| E3VB0010 | Pirouette | - |
* Shorty Rogers And His Giants (no details) (RCA Victor 20/47-5397, EPA 731)
Shorty Rogers And His Giants
same personnel
Los Angeles, CA, January 15, 1953
| E3VB0011 | Morpo | RCA Victor 20/47-5397, EPA 731, LPM 3137 |
| E3VB0012 | Diablo's Dance | RCA Victor EPA 731, LPM 3137 |
| E3VB0013 | Mambo Del Crow | RCA Victor LPM 3137 |
| E3VB0014 | Indian Club | - |
* Shorty Rogers And His Giants (no details) (RCA Victor 20/47-5397, EPA 731)
Shorty Rogers And His Giants

Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, John Howell, Tom Reeves, Shorty Rogers (tp) Milt
Bernhart, Harry Betts, John Haliburton (tb) John Graas (frh) Gene Englund (tu)
Art Pepper, Bud Shank (as) Jimmy Giuffre (ts) Bob Cooper (bars) Marty Paich (p)
Curtis Counce (b) Shelly Manne (d)
Los Angeles, CA, March 26, April 2, 1953
| Coup De Graas | RCA Victor LPM 3138 | |
| Infinity Promenade | - | |
| Short Stop | - | |
| Boar Jibu | - | |
| Contours Tale Of An African Lobster | - | |
| Chiquito Loco | - | |
| Sweetheart Of Sigmund Freud | - |
Art Pepper Quartet
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Los Angeles, CA, March 29, 1953
| D6058-2 | Chili Pepper | Savoy SJL 2217 |
| D6058-3 | - | Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88 |
| D6058-4 | - | Discovery 171, DL 3019; Savoy MG 12089, SJL 2217 |
| D6058-5 | - | Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88 |
| D6059-1 | Suzy The Poodle | Discovery 170, DL 3019; Savoy MG 12089, SJL 2217 |
| D6059-3 | - | Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88 |
| D6059-5 | - | - |
| D6059-6 | - | Savoy SJL 2217 |
| D6060-1 | Everything Happens To Me | Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88 |
| D6060-2 | - | - |
| D6060-3 | - | Savoy SJL 2217 |
| D6060-4 | - | Discovery 171, DL 3019; Regent MG 6069; Savoy SJL 2217 |
| D6060-6 | - | Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88 |
| D6061-4 | Tickle Toe | Discovery 170, DL 3019; Savoy MG 12089, SJL 2217 |
| D6061-9 | - | Savoy SJL 2217 |
| This double-LP reissues two of altoist Art Pepper's earliest studio dates as a leader. On four songs he is joined by pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Bob Whitlock and drummer Bobby White, a quiet trio that allows Pepper to dominate such songs as "Everything Happens to Me" and "Tickle Toe." In addition, Pepper matches harmonies and wits with tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose (along with pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Larry Bunker) on eight exuberant numbers including the earliest recording of Art's famous "Straight Life." But that is not all, for the second of these two LPs contains previously unissued alternate takes of all but one of the 11 pieces. Because Pepper and Montrose were in very good form during the performances, they are well worth hearing twice. In fact, a slightly later LP (titled Rediscoveries) would add 14 more versions to the legacy of these two exciting sessions. This highly enjoyable music has unfortunately only been reissued on CD thus far in random fashion. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Art Pepper (Discovery DL 3019)
* Art Pepper - Surf Ride (Savoy MG 12089)
* Art Pepper/Sonny Red - Two Altos (Regent MG 6069; Savoy MG 12215)
* Art Pepper - The Complete Surf Ride (Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88)
* Art Pepper - Chili Pepper c/w Everything Happens To Me (Discovery 171)
* Art Pepper - Suzy The Poodle c/w Tickle Toe (Discovery 170)
Art Pepper With Sonny Clark Trio
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
"Lighthouse Club", Hermosa Beach, CA, March 30, 1953
| 1. | Brown Gold | Straight Ahead Jazz SAJ 1001 |
| 2. | These Foolish Things | - |
| 3. | Tickle Toe | - |
| 4. | Strike Up The Band | - |
| 5. | Night And Day | - |
| 6. | Deep Purple | Straight Ahead Jazz SAJ 1004 |
| 7. | Bluebird | - |
| 8. | 'S Wonderful | - |
| 9. | Pennies From Heaven | - |
| 10. | Holiday Flight | - |
|
This CD contains a live performance from early in altoist Art Pepper's career in which he is joined by pianist Sonny Clark, Harry Babasin on bass and cello, and drummer Bobby White. Recorded at the legendary Lighthouse, the music is better than the recording quality. Pepper and Clark have many fine solos on the six standards and Art's "Brown Gold" (based on "I Got Rhythm") but this CD (there never was a Vol. 2) is strictly for collectors. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
||
* Art Pepper With Sonny Clark Trio - Straight Ahead Jazz, Vol. 2 (Straight Ahead Jazz SAJ 1004)
Shelly Manne And His Men


Hollywood, CA, April 6, 1953
| LK339 | Mallets | Contemporary C 354, CEP 4001, C 2503, C 3507 |
| LK340 | You And The Night And The Music | Contemporary C 353, CEP 4001, C 2503, C 3507 |
| LK341 | La Mucura | Contemporary C 354, CEP 4001, C 2503, C 3507 |
| LK342 | Gazelle | Contemporary C 353, CEP 4001, C 2503, C 3507 |
* Shelly Manne And His Men, Vol. 1 (Contemporary C 2503)
* Shelly Manne And His Men, Vol. 1 (Contemporary CEP 4001)
* Shelly Manne - Mallets c/w La Mucura (Contemporary C 354)
* Shelly Manne - You And The Night And The Music c/w Gazelle (Contemporary C 353)
1954
Art Pepper Quartet

Art Pepper (as) Jack Montrose (ts) Claude Williamson (p) Monty Budwig (b) Paul
Ballerina (d -1/12) Larry Bunker (d -13/23)
Los Angeles, CA, August 25, 1954
| 1. D6301-3 | Nutmeg | Discovery DL 3023; Savoy MG 12089, SJL 2217 |
| 2. D6301-4 | - | Savoy SJL 2217 |
| 3. D6301-6 | - | Savoy Jazz (J) K30Y 6187/88 |
| 4. D6301-7 | - | - |
| 5. D6302 | - | Savoy SJL 2217 |
| 6. D6303-1 | Deep Purple | Discovery DL 3023; Regent MG 6069; Savoy SJL 2217 |
| 7. D6304-2 | Cinnamon |







