DISCOGRAPHY-THE
MUSIC OF ART PEPPER
SESSION
1-DEC 27/51-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Shorty Rodgers(tp)Frank Patchen(p)Howard Rumsey(b)Shelly Manne(d)
Popo
What's New
Lullaby in Rhythm
All the Things You Are
Robbins Nest
Scrapple From Apple
Body and Soul
Jive at Five
TinTin Deo
Cherokee
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CD Release Art Pepper/Popo(Xanadu
148)
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. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide1) Bob Andrews Presents - LIVE AT
THE LIGHTHOUSE '52
Session 1.5 Recorded
at The Lighthouse, January 6, 1952
Art Pepper (as); Shorty Rogers (t); Jimmy Giuffre
(ts); Milt Bernhart (tmb); Frank Patchen (p); Howard Rumsey (b) Shelly Manne
(d)
-Tickle Toe
-Jumpin' At The Woodside
-September Song
-Avalon
-Over The Rainbow
-Keen and Peachy
-These Foolish Things
-Dickie's Dream
-Yesterdays
-Another Hair
-Indiana
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CD Release Vantage Records Issued by Norma (Japan) on CD # NOCD-5630
SESSION
2-FEB 12/52-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as-cl)Hampton Hawes(p)Joe Mondragon(b)Larry Bunker(d-vibe on How High
The Moon)
How High the Moon
Suzy the Poodle
Easy Stepping
Tickle Toe
Patty Cake
Move
All the Things You Are
Don't Blame Me
Surf Ride
Rose Bloom
Suzy the Poodle
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CD Release Art Pepper/The
Early Show (Xanadu 108)
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. -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
3-FEB 12/52-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as-cl)Hampton Hawes(p)Joe Mondragon(b)Larry Bunker(d)
Night in Tunisia
Spiked Punched
The Way You Look Tonight
Minor Yours
Suzy The Poodle
Easy Steppin
Chili Pepper
Lamjhp
Everything Happens to Me
Move
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CD Release Art Pepper/The
Late Show(Xanadu 117)
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
SESSION
4-MAR 4/52-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Hampton Hawes(p)Joe Mondragon(b)Larry Bunker(d)
Brown Gold
These Foolish Things
Surf Ride
Holiday Flight
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CD Release Art Pepper/Surf
Ride(Mg12089/Sv-0115)
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. -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 5-OCT 8/52-ART PEPPER
QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Russ Freeman(p)Bob Whitlock(b)Bobby White(d)
Straight Life
Chilli Pepper Tk 2
Chilli Pepper Tk 4
Cinnamon
Suzy The Poodle Tk 1
Suzy The Poodle Tk 6
Everything Happens to Me Tk 3
Everything Happens to Me Tk 4
Tickle Toe Tk 4
Tickle Toe Tk 9
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CD Release Art Pepper/Surf
Ride (Savoy MG12089/Sv-0115)
CD Release Art Pepper/Discoveries (Savoy SJL22170)
CD Release Art Pepper/Straight Life The Savoy Sessions(Savoy zd70820)
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
SESSION
6-MAY 31/53-ART PEPPER WITH THE SONNY CLARK TRIO
Art Pepper(as)Sonny Clark(p)Harry Babasin(b)Bobby White(d)
Brown Gold
These Foolish Things
Tickle Toe
Tenderly
Strike Up the Band
Night and Day
Deep Purple
S'Wonderful
Pennies From Heaven
Holiday Flight
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CD Release Art Pepper with
The Sonny Clark Trio/Holiday Flight-Lighthouse 53/(Venus79000-Time Is 9805)
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
SESSION 7-AUG 25/54-ART
PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Jack Montrose(ts)Claude Williamson(p)Monte Budwig(b)Larry
Bunker(d)
Nutmeg
Nutmeg
Deep Purple
What's New
What's New
Straight Life
Straight Life
Art's Oregeno
Art's Oregeno
The Way you Look Tonight
The Way you Look Tonight
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CD Release Art Pepper/Surf
Ride (Savoy MG12089/Sv0115)
CD Release Art Pepper/Discoveries (Savoy SJL2217)
CD Release Art Pepper/Straight Life The Savoy Sessions(Savoy Zd70820)
This valuable Savoy LP, put out by Muse in 1986, has 14 previously unissued
alternate takes taken from two Art
Pepper sessions. The great altoist is heard with a quiet West Coast trio
(pianist Russ
Freeman, bassist Bob
Whitlock and drummer Bobby
White) and with a quintet co-starring tenor saxophonist Jack
Montrose. The Pepper-Montrose
matchup is particularly exciting but Pepper
is actually in fine form on all of the performances; it is difficult to believe
that these were all rejected takes. The remainder of the two productive sessions
were released on a two-LP set around the same period titled Discoveries,
and most of this music (particularly the alternate takes) has not been reissued
on CD yet. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
8-JULY 26/28/56-ART PEPPER-CHET BAKER SEXTET
Art Pepper(as)Chet Baker(tp)Richie Kamuca(ts)Pete Jolly(p)Leroy Vinnegar(b)Stan
Levy(d)
Sonny Boy
Little Girl
The Route
Minor Yours
Tynan Time
Old Croix
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
The Great Lie
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CD Release Art Pepper/Chet
Baker/The Route(Pacific Jazz)
One of two CDs that team Baker
and altoist Art
Pepper, this one also features tenor-saxophonist Ritchie Kamuca and pianist Pete
Jolly; all four players get their own showcases. The often-heated results
make it obvious that there was no strict borderline between artists associated
with West Coast jazz and hard bop for some of these performances burn. It's
strange that both Baker
and Pepper
could play such consistent music while conducting chaotic lifestyles. -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 9-AUG 1956-ART PEPPER
QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Russ Freeman(p)Ben Tucker(b)Gary Frommer(d)
Art Opus
I Surrender Dear
Diane
Pepper Pot
Besame Mucho
Blues At Twilight
Val's Pals
Val's Pals Tk1
VAl's Pals Tk4
Val's Pals Tk5
Blues at Twlight Alt
Pepper Pot Alt
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CD Release Art Pepper/Art
Pepper Quartet (OJC-816/Tampa 20)
Originally released on the defunct Tampa label and then on CD by the small
V.S.O.P. label, this straight reissue in the OJC series features the great
altoist Art
Pepper with pianist Russ
Freeman, bassist Ben
Tucker and drummer Gary
Frommer. Despite the inclusion of five alternate takes, there is still only
around 41 minutes of music but the quality is high; even with his erratic
lifestyle, Pepper
never made a bad record. Highlights include Art's original "Diane,"
"Besame Mucho" and "Pepper Pot." Fine music, but not
essential when one considers how many gems Art
Pepper recorded during his rather hectic life. -- Scott Yanow, All Music
Guide
SESSION 10-AUG 1956-MARTY
PAICH QUARTET FEATURING ART PEPPER
Art Pepper(as)Marty Paich(p)Buddy Clark(b)Frank Capp(d)
Abstract Art
Over the Rainbow
Melancholy Madeleine
Sidewinder
You the Night and the Music
All the Things You Are
Marty's Blues
Pittfall
What's Right for You
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CD Release Art Pepper/Marty
Paich Quartet(Tampa28)
This CD from V.S.O.P. reissues a fairly obscure Tampa LP featuring pianist Marty
Paich (better-known as an arranger), altoist Art
Pepper, bassist Buddy
Clark and drummer Frank
Capp; this music has also been issued under Pepper's name. Pepper
and Paich
would have several notable collaborations during the next few years, but this
was their first. Pepper
is generally the main star (particularly on such numbers as "You and the
Night and the Music," "Over the Rainbow" and "All the Things
You Are") while Paich
(who has several fine piano solos) contributes three of the eight songs to this
cool-toned, but hard-swinging, set. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
11-AUG 6/56-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Jack Sheldon(tp)Russ Freeman(p)Leroy Vinnegar(b)Shelly Manne(d)
Pepper Returns
Broadway
You Go to My Head
Angel Wings
Funny Blues
Five More
Minority
Patricia
Mambo de la Pinta
Walking Out Blues
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CD Release Art Pepper/The
Return Of Art Pepper Vol 1 Complete Alladin Recordings
(Blue Note CDP7468632)
Blue Note's The
Return of Art Pepper: The Complete Art Pepper Aladdin Recordings
compiles the 13 final masters that the alto saxophonist recorded for Aladdin
between August 1956 and January 1957. These are titled The
Return of Art Pepper, since they were recorded shortly after he
completed a jail sentence in 1956. As a result, Pepper's
chops are a little rusty, but you can hear that he still has a passion for
playing, and he does improve over the course of these tracks. For serious Pepper
fans, it's worth a listen, but for less dedicated fans, there are better places
to become acquainted with his work. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music
Guide
SESSION 11A-September 8/56
ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Marty Paich(p)Buddy Clark(b)Frank Capp(d)
Melancholy Madeline
LP release-Archives Of Jazz AJ507
Note: Other titles by other groups
SESSION
12 OCT 31/56-ART PEPPER/CHET BAKER
Art Pepper(as)Chet Baker(tp)Phil Urso(ts)Carl Perkins(p)Curtis Counce(b)Lawrence
Marble(d)
For Minors Only
Minor Yours
Resonant Emotions
Tynan Tyme
Picture of Health
For Miles and Miles
CTA
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CD Release Art Pepper/Chet
Baker The Playboys(Pacific JazzCDP794742)
This is the second CD (following The
Route) to team trumpeter Chet
Baker and altoist Art
Pepper, two masterful players who had similar (and rather strange) life
stories, with so many ups and downs as to be almost unbelievable. None of the
chaos of their lives appears in the fine music they created. This sextet session
(which has five Jimmy
Heath compositions in addition to two originals from Pepper)
also contains spots for excellent solos by tenor-saxophonist Phil
Urso and pianist Carl
Perkins. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 13-NOV
26/56-ART PEPPER WITH THE WARNE MARSH QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Warne Marsh(ts)Ronnie Ball(p)Ben Tucker(b)Gary Frommer(d)
I Can't Believe that You're Still in Love With Me (Orig Tk)
I Can't Believe that You're Still In Love With Me (Alt Tk)
All the Things You Are (Orig Tk)
All the Things You Are (Alt Tk)
What's New
Avalon
Tickle Toe
Warning Tk 1
Warning Tk 2
Stomping At the Savoy
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CD Release Art Pepper With
Warne Marsh(Contemporary S9001/VDJ1777)Complete Session
CD Release Art Pepper/ The Way it Was (Contemporary S7630/OJC389)Cuts 1-6
Despite his very erratic lifestyle, altoist Art
Pepper never made a bad record. This collection is better than most. The
first four titles team together Pepper
with tenor-saxophonist Warne
Marsh, pianist Ronnie
Ball, bassist Ben
Tucker and drummer Gary
Frommer for generally intriguing explorations of four standards. One can
feel the influence of Lennie
Tristano (with Pepper
in Lee
Konitz's place) although Pepper
had his own sound and a more hard-swinging style. The success of the Pepper-Marsh
frontline makes one wish that they had recorded together again. The other three
selections are leftovers from a trio of classic Pepper
albums and all are quite worthwhile. Pepper
is heard backed by three separate rhythm sections which include pianists Red
Garland, Dolo
Coker or Wynton
Kelly, either Paul
Chambers or Jimmy
Bond on bass and Philly
Joe Jones, Frank
Butler or Jimmy
Cobb on drums. Overall this album sticks to bop standards and finds Art
Pepper in top form. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 14-DEC 11/56-ART
PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Bill Perkins(ts)Jimmy Rowles(p)Ben Tucker(b)Mel Lewis(d)
A Foggy Day
Diane aFlow
What is This Thing Called Love
Zenobia
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Album Release Art Pepper
Featuring Bill Perkins(Pacific Jazz PJ60)
Cd Release:The Artistry Of Art Pepper Pacific
JazzB2-97194
This CD starts off with four selections from a date led by tenor saxophonist Bill
Perkins that features altoist Art
Pepper; the remainder of the quintet is comprised of pianist Jimmy
Rowles, bassist Ben
Tucker and Mel
Lewis. While they perform boppish versions of two standards and a pair of Pepper
originals, the remainder of the CD has a particularly strong set that showcases Pepper
in a nonet arranged by Shorty
Rogers. The music in the latter date are all Rogers
originals and there are alternate takes of "Diablo's Dance" and "Popo"
to round out the program. The other soloists include trumpeter Don
Fagerquist, Bill
Holman on tenor, baritonist Bud
Shank, valve trombonist Stu
Williamson and pianist Russ
Freeman. Highly recommended to fans of Art
Pepper and West Coast jazz. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 15-DEC 21/56-TED
BROWN SEXTET FEATURING ART PEPPER
Art Pepper(as) Ted Brown Warren Marsh(ts)Ronnie Ball(p)Ben Tucker(b)Jeff
Morton(d)
Aretha
Arrivals
Avalon
Broadway
Foolin Myself
Long Gone
Free Wheeling
On A Slow Boat To China
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Album Release Art Pepper/Ted Brown Sextet (Vanguard VRS8515)
SESSION
16-DEC 28/56-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper (as) Russ Freeman(p)Ben Tucker (b)Chuck Flores(d)
Blues In
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
Stompin at The Savoy
What is This Thing Called Love
Blues Out
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CD Release Art Pepper/Modern Art Vol 2 The Complete Aladdin Sessions (Blue NoteCDP7468482)
SESSION 17-JAN 3/57- ART
PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as/ts)Red Norvo(vib)Gerald Wiggins(p)Ben Tucker(b)Joe Morello(d)
Pepper Steak
You're Driving Me Crazy
Tenor Blooz
Yardbird Suite
Straight Life
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CD Release Art Pepper/The Return of Art Pepper Vol 1 The Complete Aladdin Recordings(Blue NoteCDP7468632)
SESSION 18-JAN 14/57-ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Russ Freeman(p)Ben Tucker(b)Chuck Flores(d)
When You're Smiling
Cool Bunny
Diane Dilemma
Diane Dilemma (Alt Tk)
Summertime
CD Release Art Pepper/Modern Art Vol 2 The Complete Aladdin Sessions (Blue Note CDP7468482)
SESSION
19-JAN 19/57-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Red Garland(p)Paul Chambers(b)Philly Joe Jones(d)
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Red Pepper Blues
Imagination
Waltz Me Blues
Straight Life
Jazz Me Blues
Tin Tin Deo
Star Eyes
Birks Works
The Man I Love
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Album Release Art
Pepper/Meets The Rhythm Section(Contemporary S7532)
CD Release Art Pepper/Meets The Rhythm Section(OJC338)
SESSION 20-MAR 31/57-ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as,cl)Larry Bunker(p)Don Payne(b)Chuck Flores(d)
All the Things You Are
Everything Happens to Me
St Louis Blues
Stormy Weather (Pam Russel Voc)
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Album Release Art
Pepper/Sessions Live(CalliopeCal 3015)
SESSION
21-APR 1/57- ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Carl Perkins(p)Ben Tucker(b)Chuck Flores(d)
Holiday Flight
Too Close for Comfort
Long Ago and Far Away
Begin the Begine
Begin the Begine (Alt Tk)
I Can't Believe You're Still In Love with Me
Webb City
Webb City (Alt Tk)
Summertime
Fascinating Rhythm
Fascinating Rhythm (Alt Tk)
Body And Soul
Without a Song
The Breeze and I
Surf Ride
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CD Release Art Pepper/Modern
Art Vol 2 The Complete Aladdin Recordings(BN7468482)
CD Release Art Pepper/The Art Of Pepper Vol 3 The Complete Aladdin Recordings
(Blue Note CDP7468532)
The music on this Blue Note LP has always been somewhat obscure. Originally
released by Omegatape only on pre-recorded tapes, it did not make its debut on
an American LP until this 1980 album came out. It was a strange twist of fate,
for the music for altoist Art
Pepper (who was in one of his prime periods) was in top form throughout the
date, playing "Surf Ride," "Webb City" and five familiar
standards with pianist Carl
Perkins, bassist Ben
Tucker and drummer Chuck
Flores. Highlights include "Surf Ride," "Fascinatin'
Rhythm" and "Body and Soul." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 22 SPRING/57-ART
PEPPER SEXTET
Art Pepper(as)Chet Baker(tp)Richie Kamuca(ts)Pete Jolly(p)Leroy Vinnegar(b)Stan
Levey(d)
Minor Yours
Ol'Croix
Tynan Time
Little Girl
Album Release Art Pepper/Plays Shorty Rodgers and Others(Pacific Jazz LA896)
SESSION 23-AUG 12/57-ART
PEPPER BAND/NONET
Art Pepper(as)Don Fagerquist(tp)Stu Williamson(tb)Red Callender(tu)Bill
Holman(ts)Bud Shank(bar)Russ Freeman(p)Monte Budwig(b)Shelly Manne(d)
Bunny
Popo
Powder Stuff
Didi
Didi alt Tk
Diablo Dance
Diablo Dance Alt Tk
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Album Release Art
Pepper/Plays Shorty Rodgers and Others(Pacific Jazz(LA896)
Cd Release:The Artistry Of Art Pepper Pacific JazzB2-97194
SESSION
24-MAR 14/59-ART PEPPER PLUS ELEVEN
Art Pepper(cl,as,ts)Pete Candoli Jackheldon(tp)Bob Enevoldsen(v-tb,ts)Vince
Derosa(fhr)Herb Geller(as)Dick Nash(tb)Bill Perkins(ts)Med Flory(bar)Russ
Freeman(p)Joe Mondragon(b)Mel Lewis(d)
Opus De Funk
Round About Midnight
Walkin Shoes
Airegin
SESSION 25 MAR 28/59-ART
PEPPER PLUS ELEVEN
Al Porcino(tp)Bud Shank(as)Replace Candoli and Geller
Groovin High
Shaw Nuff
Donna Lee (Orig Tk)
Donna Lee (Tk 1)
Anthropology (AP Plays CL)
SESSION 26-MAY 12/59-ART
PEPPER PLUS ELEVEN
Charlie Kennedy(as,ts)Richie Kamuca(ts)Replace Shank And Perkins
Move
Four Brothers
Walkin (Orig Tk)
Walkin (Tk 1)
Walkin (Tk 2)
Bernie Tune
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Album Release Art Pepper/Art
Pepper+Eleven:Modern Jazz Classics(ContemporayS7602)
CD Release Art Pepper/Art Pepper+Eleven:Modern Jazz Classics(OJC341)
This is a true classic. Altoist Art
Pepper is joined by an 11-piece band playing Marty
Paich arrangements of a dozen jazz standards from the bop and cool jazz era.
Trumpeter Jack
Sheldon has a few solos, but the focus is very much on the altoist who is in
peak form for this period. The CD reissue adds two additional versions of "Walkin'"
and one of "Donna Lee" to the original program. Throughout, Pepper
sounds quite inspired by Paich's
charts which feature the band as an active part of the music rather than just in
the background. Highlights of this highly enjoyable set include
"Move," "Four Brothers," "Shaw Nuff,"
"Anthropology" and "Donna Lee," but there is not a single
throwaway track to be heard. Essential music for all serious jazz collections.
-- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
27-FEB 29/60-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Conte Condoli(tp)Wynton Kelly(p)Paul Chambers(b)Jimmy Cobb(d)
Whims Of Chambers
Bijou the Poodle
Why are We Afraid
Softly as a Morning Sunrise
Rhythm a Ning
Diane
Getting Together
Getting Together (Alt Tk)
The Way You Look Tonight
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Album Release Art
Pepper/Getting Together(Contemporay S7573)
CD Release Art Pepper/Getting Together(OJC169)
As a sort of follow-up to Art
Pepper's matchup with Miles
Davis's trio in the 1957 classic Art
Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Pepper
utilizes Davis's
sidemen on this 1960 near-classic. In addition to pianist Wynton
Kelly, bassist Paul
Chambers and drummer Jimmy
Cobb, trumpeter Conte
Candoli makes the group a quintet on four of the eight numbers. The CD
reissue adds "The Way You Look Tonight" (formerly only available on
another LP) and an alternate take of the title cut to the original repertoire.
This time around, rather than emphasizing standards, Pepper
performs just three ("Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," Thelonious
Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning" and "The Way You Look Tonight")
and includes three originals of his own: "Diane," "Bijou the
Poodle" and "Gettin' Together." The music is all very
straightahead and bop-oriented, but as usual, Pepper
brings something very personal and unique to his playing; he sounds like no one
else. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
28-OCT 24-25/60-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Jack Sheldon(tp)Pete Jolly(p)Jimmy Bond (b)Frank Butler(d)
Smack Up
Las Cuevas De Mario
A Bit of Basie
How Can You Lose
Maybe Next Year
Tears Inside
Solid Citizens Tk 33-CD Bonus Track
Solid Citizens Tk 37-Cd Bonus Track
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Album Release Art
Pepper/Smack Up (Contemporary S7602)
CD Release Art Pepper/Smack Up(OJC 176)
The title of this recording (which has been reissued on CD with two takes of the
otherwise unknown "Solid Citizens" added) is ironic and inadvertently
truthful. Within a short period, Art
Pepper would begin spending many years in jail due to his heroin addiction;
this was his next-to-last album of this period. Despite the bleak future, the
great altoist (who never seemed to make an uninspired record during his unstable
life) is in excellent form in a quintet with trumpeter Jack
Sheldon, pianist Pete
Jolly, bassist Jimmy
Bond and drummer Frank
Butler. Highlights of this fine album include Harold
Land's title cut, the 5/4 blues "Las Cuevas De Mario" and Ornette
Coleman's "Tears Inside." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
29-NOV 23-25/60-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Dolo Coker(p)Jimmy Bond (b)Frank Butler(d)
Gone With the Wind
I Wish Upon the Moon
Too Close for Comfort
I Can't Believe You're In Love with Me
I Love You
Come Rain or Come Shine
Long Ago and Far Away
Autmn Leaves
Fine Points- Cd Bonus Track
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Album Release Art
Pepper/Intensity (Contemporary S7607)
CD Release Art Pepper/Intensity(OJC387)
This album, reissued on CD with an additional song, "Fine Points," was
altoist Art
Pepper's final one of his early period and was released when he was already
serving a long prison sentence due to his addiction to heroin. Assisted by
pianist Dolo
Coker, bassist Jimmy
Bond and drummer Frank
Butler, Pepper
was just starting to show the influence of John
Coltrane and Ornette
Coleman in his style, freeing up his playing and displaying a greater
intensity during his improvisations. Ironically, Pepper
sticks to swinging standards such as "I Can't Believe That You're in Love
with Me," "Gone with the Wind" and "I Wished on the
Moon" as points of departure on the interesting and largely enjoyable set.
Excluding a 1973 recording with Mike
Vax's big band, it would be 15 years before Art
Pepper led another record date in the studios. -- Scott Yanow, All Music
Guide
SESSION 30-MAY/JUNE 64-ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper (as)Frank Strazzeri(p)Hersh Hamel(b)Bill Goodwin(d)
The Trip
Sonnymoon for Two
D. Section
Summer Night
Grouping
 |
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CD Release Art Pepper/Art
Pepper Quartet'64 in San Francisco(Fresh SoundsFSCD-1005)
For altoist Art
Pepper, the 1960s were largely a waste with long periods spent in prison due
to his narcotics addiction. He spent most of 1964 between prison terms and even
tried to make a musical comeback. This CD from the Spanish Fresh Sound label
features Pepper
with pianist Frank
Strazzeri, bassist Hersh
Hamel and drummer Bill
Goodwin playing a few originals on a television show (Pepper
is interviewed briefly by Ralph
Gleason) and performing two lengthy numbers at The
Jazz Workshop in San Francisco. Many of the altoist's longtime fans were
disappointed by his playing during this period for Pepper
had become very influenced by John
Coltrane and fearful that, if he did not sound like 'Trane, he would be
regarded as old fashioned. Actually, Art
Pepper, who plays with more intensity here than he often did in the 1950s,
sounds pretty good during these sets, although the recording quality is not
always the greatest, and his fans (along with jazz historians) will find these
rare performances quite interesting. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
31-NOV 24/68-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Joe Ramano(ts)Frank Strazzeri(p)Chuck Burghofer(b)Nick Ceroli(d)
Groupin
Art Pepper Introduces The Musicians
Lover Come Back to Me
Everything Happens To Me
Cherokee
Stomping at the Savoy
Blues Rock
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Art Pepper/Art Pepper At Donte's 1968 (Fresh Sound Frsd 1039)
SESSION 32-FEB 14/75-ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Tommy Gumina(polycord)Fred Atwood(b)Jimmie Smith(d)
Foothill Blues
I'll Remember April
Here's That Rainy Day
Cherokee
 |
Art Pepper/I'll Remember
April (Storyville STCD4130/Trip25041)
Altoist Art
Pepper was at the beginning of his successful (if relatively brief)
seven-year renaissance when he performed at the concert documented on this
Storyville CD. Recorded six months before his first official comeback record (Living
Legend), the great altoist is heard playing with a quartet comp of Tommy
Gumina on polychord (an organ-sounding accordion), bassist Fred
Atwood and drummer Jimmie
Smith. Pepper
is in excellent form on lengthy versions of his "Foothill Blues,"
"I'll Remember April," and "Cherokee," and is quite
passionate on a four-and-a-half-minute version of "Here's That Rainy
Day." Gumina
mostly stays out of the way, and the audience sounds quite happy to get an
opportunity to hear the legendary altoist sounding so strong. -- Scott Yanow,
All Music Guide
SESSION
33-AUG 9/75-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Hampton Hawes(p)Charlie Haden(b)Shelly Manne(d)
Ophelia
Here's That Rainy Day
What Laurie Likes
Mr. Yohe
Lost Life
Samba Mom Mom (Orig Tk)
Samba Mom Mom (Alt Tk)
 |
Art Pepper/Living Legend
(Contemporary S7633/OJC408)
Art
Pepper, one of the major bop altoists to emerge during the 1950s, started
his comeback with this excellent set. After 15 years filled with prison time and
spent fighting drug addiction, Pepper
was finally ready to return to jazz. Accompanied by three of his old friends
(pianist Hampton
Hawes, bassist Charlie
Haden and drummer Shelly
Manne), Pepper
displays a more explorative and darker style than he had had previously. He also
shows a greater emotional depth in his improvisations and was open to some of
the innovations of the avant-garde in his search for greater self-expression.
Although this recording would be topped by the ones to come, the music (five Pepper
originals and an intense version of "Here's That Rainy Day") is quite
rewarding. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 33A ART PEPPER
QUARTET-
Recorded: Live at the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
Half Moon Bay, CA September 28, 1975
Art Pepper (as); Ed Kelly (p); Kenny Jenkins (b); Brad Dilhorn (d)
Good Bait 14.43
What Laurie Likes 18.00
Here's That Rainy Day 5.55
Straight Life 11.55
 |
Art Pepper:RENASCENCE Galaxy/Fantasy # GCD-4202-2
SESSION
34-JULY 26/76-ART PEPPER/ART FARMER SEXTET
Art Pepper(as)Hampton Hawes(p)Art Farmer(tp)Ray Brown(b)Steve Ellington(d)Shelly
Manne(d)
Downwind
My Funny Valentine
Namely You
What am I Here For
I Can't Get Started
Will You Still Be Mine
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Art Pepper/Art Farmer/On The
Road (Contemporary S7636/OJC478)
This CD reissue of a Contemporary set from 1976 features a logical but only
one-time collaboration between flugelhornist Art
Farmer and altoist Art
Pepper. With pianist Hampton
Hawes, bassist Ray
Brown and either Steve
Ellington or Shelly
Manne on drums completing the quintet, the five standards and Hawes's
original "Downwind" were certainly in good hands. A special highlight
is a duet version of "My Funny Valentine" featuring Farmer
and Hawes.
Everyone plays up to par on this spirited straightahead set. -- Scott Yanow,
All Music Guide
SESSION
35-SEPT 15-16/76-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)George Cables(p)David Williams(b)Elvin Jones(d)
The Trip
The Trip (Alt Tk)
A Song for Richard
Sweet Love of Mine
Junior Cat
The Summer Knows
Red Car
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Art Pepper/The
Trip(Contemporary S7638/OJC410)
Although some listeners prefer altoist Art
Pepper's playing of the 1950s, when he re-emerged in 1975, there was a much
greater emotional intensity to his improvisations, and his solos used a wider
vocabulary with nonmusical and emotional sounds being added to his ideas as
punctuations. This strong quartet date (with pianist George
Cables, bassist David
Williams and drummer Elvin
Jones) finds Pepper
performing Michel
Legrand's "The Summer Knows," lesser-known tunes by Woody
Shaw and Joe
Gordon and three originals of his own; the CD reissue also has an alternate
take of "The Trip." Powerful music. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 36-DEC 27/76-ART
PEPPER/DOLO COKER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Blue Mitchel(tp)DoloCoker(p)Leroy Vinnegar(b)Frank Butler(d)
Jumping Jacks
Gone with the Wind
Roots 4fb
Mr Yohe
Tale of Two Cities
 |
Art Pepper/Dolo Coker
Quintet(Xanadu 142)
Pianist Dolo
Coker had just four opportunities to lead his own record dates during his
career, all for the Xanadu label during 1976-79. The title of this LP refers to
the fact that the music is not California "cool jazz" but intense hard
bop from the Golden State. In addition to bassist Leroy
Vinnegar and drummer Frank
Butler (who appear on Coker's
first three Xanadu albums) and trumpeter Blue
Mitchell (who was on the preceding LP Dolo),
the great altoist Art
Pepper (doubling on tenor) makes one of his very rare appearances as a
sideman. The well-rounded set has originals by Coker,
Pepper
("Mr Yohe") and Mitchell
(a drum feature for Butler
on "Roots 4FB") along with a showcase for the trio ("Gone
Again") and a vintage standard ("Gone with the Wind"). A strong
effort. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 37-JAN 23/77-ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Smith Dobson(p)Jim Nicholson(b)Brad Bilhorn(d)
Mr Yohe
Introduction
The Trip
Lost Life
A Night in Tunisia
 |
Art Pepper/A Night In
Tunisia(StoryVille STCD4146/Trip25044)
Altoist Art
Pepper was nearing the turning point in his career at the time that he
performed at the concert at Half Moon Bay, CA, that is included on this
Storyville CD. He had been back on the scene for two years and had not quite
broken through to the wider jazz audience yet, but major successes were in the
near future. It is obvious from his talking to the audience that Pepper
was still unsure about his future, but his playing on this date (with a pickup
group comprised of pianist Smith
Dobson, bassist Jim
Nichols and drummer Brad
Bilhorn) finds him in top form, creating emotional versions of "A Night
in Tunisia" and his three originals "Mr. Yohe," "The
Trip" and "Lost Life." Since there are only 40 minutes of music
on the CD and this was not one of Pepper's
strongest groups, the release is not essential, but fans of the unique altoist
will want to pick up these interesting performances. -- Scott Yanow, All Music
Guide
SESSION
38-MAR 26/77-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as,ts) George Cables(p)Tony Dumas(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Rita San
Ballad of a Sad Young Man
My Laurie
Mambo De La Pinta
No Limit-Bonus Track
 |
Art Pepper/No
Limit(Contemporary S7639/OJC411)
Art
Pepper's third recording in his comeback years was recorded in a studio but
has the emotional intensity and chance-taking improvisations of his live
concerts of the period. Joined by his regular group (pianist George
Cables, bassist Tony
Dumas and drummer Carl
Burnett), Pepper
performs lengthy versions of three of his originals (including the modal
"My Laurie") and "Ballad of the Sad Young Men." "Mambo
de la Pinta" is a little unusual because Pepper
overdubbed himself on tenor to join his alto in the ensembles. Throughout this
album (and during his final ten years), Art
Pepper played every note as if it might be his last one. The passion
displayed on this particular album is enough of a reason by itself to acquire
it. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
39-APR 5/77-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Cal Tjader(vib)Clare Fischer(p)Bon Redfield(g)Rob Fisher(b)
Peter Riso (d) Poncho Sanchez(p)
Introduction
Cherokee
The Spirit is Here
Here's That Rainy Day
Straight Life
Manteca
Manha de Carnaval
Felicidade
 |
Art Pepper/Tokyo
Debut(Galaxy4201)
After Art
Pepper returned to the scene in 1975, it took him two years to get noticed
outside of Los Angeles. His initial visit to Japan was a major turning point,
and music from one of the very well-received concerts was released for the first
time on this 1995 CD. Pepper
performs four numbers -- "Cherokee," ahis original "The Spirit Is
Here," a passionate "Here's That Rainy Day" and a speedy workout
on "Straight Life" -- with a quintet comprised of Clare
Fischer (who unfortunately sticks exclusively to electric piano), bassist Rob
Fisher, drummer Peter
Riso and percussionist Poncho
Sanchez. For the final three numbers -- "Manteca," "Manha De
Carnaval" and "Felicidade" -- the group is joined by vibraphonist
Cal
Tjader (this is the only time he ever recorded with Pepper)
and guitarist Bob
Redfield. The unexpected enthusiasm of the crowd really got to Pepper
and his improvisations (even though he is not playing with his regular group)
are quite inspired. Memorable music. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Note: Not Included In The Complete Galaxy Collection
SESSION 39A JUNE 17,197ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper (as); Bernie Serensky
(p); David Piltch (d); Terry Clarke (d)
Long Ago And Far Away
Here's That Rainy Day
Patricia
Blues For Heard
Art Pepper Quartet Live In Toronto Vol. 1(Norma5662)
Samba Mom Mom
All The Things You Are
Star Eyes
Art Pepper Live In Toronto Vol. 2(Norma 5663)
SESSION
40-JULY 28-29-30/77-ART PEPPER QUARTET VANGUARD
Art Pepper(as,ts,cl)George Cables(p)George Marz(b)Elvin Jones(d)
Thursday,July 28
First Set(Disc 1)
Blues for Heard
Scrapple from Apple
But Beautiful
My Friend John
Cherokee
Blues for Heard
Second Set(Disc 2)
For Freddie
Valse Triste
Live at The Vanguard
Caravan
Blues for Heard
Third Set(Disc3)
Over the Rainbow
The Trip
Blues for Les
A Night in Tunisia
Art
Pepper's appearances at the Village Vanguard in 1977 were a major success,
making the brilliance of the West Coast-based altoist obvious to the New York
critics. His historical stint at the Vanguard was originally made available on
four LPs (all reissued as CDs with one additional selection added on each disc)
and more recently in more expanded form as a nine-CD boxed set. The single CD
reissue of the Thursday night portion features the great altoist on lengthy
versions of "Valse Triste," a particularly passionate version of
"Goodbye," "Blues for Les," "My Friend John" and
"Blues for Heard." In addition to Pepper,
his trio -- pianist George
Cables, bassist George
Mraz and drummer Elvin
Jones -- is also in top form, and the music is consistently stimulating and
emotional. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Friday July 29
First Set(Disc 4)
No Limit
Valse Triste
My Friend John
You Go to My Head
Cherokee
Blues for Heard
Second Set(Disc 5)
Blues for Heard
Anthropology
These Foolish Things
For Freddie
Blues for Heard
Third Set (Disc 6)
Las Cuevas de Mario
Stella by Starlight
Goodbye
Vanguard Max
Blues for Heard
The second of four releases taken from altoist Art
Pepper's very successful stint at the Village Vanguard in July 1977 has been
reissued on CD with one extra track, "A Night in Tunisia." Pepper,
who is greatly assisted by a highly sympathetic rhythm section (pianist George
Cables, bassist George
Mraz and drummer Elvin
Jones) is at his best on "Caravan," which finds him doubling on
tenor, and on an intense rendition of "But Beautiful." All of this
music is currently available as part of a massive nine-CD box set that really
documents the historic engagement. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Saturday July 30
First Set(Disc7)
Vanguard Max
Las Cuevas de Mario
Goodbye
For Freddie
Blues for Heard
Second Set(Disc 8)
My Friend John
More for Les
Cherokee
Blues for Heard
Third Set(Disc 9)
For Freddie
Caravan
Labyrinth
My Friend John
The fourth of four CD reissues taken from Art
Pepper's three nights at the Village Vanguard in July 1977, as with the
other releases, adds one selection ("Scrapple from the Apple") to the
music of the original LP; all of the performances on this and the other sets
have since been made available as part of a massive nine-CD box set. The great
altoist was clearly excited to be playing at the famous New York club, and his
rhythm section -- pianist George
Cables, bassist George
Mraz and drummer Elvin
Jones -- consistently stimulates his imagination. This release has more
variety than usual, for in addition to his alto playing (including a memorable
unaccompanied solo on "Over the Rainbow"), Pepper
switches to clarinet for the lengthy "More for Les" and interprets the
ballad "These Foolish Things" on tenor. The nine-CD set is essential
for Art
Pepper fanatics, but those just wanting a taste of the great altoist's
talents will be satisfied with this release. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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Art Pepper/Thursday Night at The Village Vanguard/Contemporary/OJC6942
Art Pepper/Friday Night at The Village Vanguard/Contemporary/OJC6952
Art Pepper/Saturday Night at The Village Vanguard/Contemporay/OJC6962
Art Pepper/More For Les: At The Village Vanguard/Contemporary/OJC6972
Art Pepper/The Complete Village Vanguard Sessions 9 CD Set/Cont.44172
The
Complete Village Vanguard Sessions is an exhaustive box set that
contains all 45 takes from Art
Pepper's legendary stay at the Village Vanguard. Any serious Pepper
fan will find a lot to treasure here, but the sheer size of the set makes it
intimidating for less dedicated listeners. -- Leo Stanley, All Music Guide
SESSION 41-SEPT 13-15/77-ART
PEPPER/JON FADDIS
Art Pepper(as,bar)Jon Faddis(tp)Acc by Jerry Fielding Orchestra
Bleak Bad Big City Dawn
The Pick Up
Exit Tunnel Roaring
The Gaunlet
The Box Car Incident
Closer Look at a Closer Walk
The Black Sedan
Manipulation on the Centre Divider
The Delivery
Postlude
 |
Art Pepper/The Gauntlet Movie Soundtrack( Warner Bros.K56445)
SESSION
42-MAR 14/78-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Milcho Leviev(p)BobMagnusson(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Opehlia
Besame Mucho
My Laurie
Caravan
The Trip
The Summer Knows
Red Car
   |
Art Pepper/Live In Japan Vol
1(Storyville STCD4128)
Art Pepper/Live In Japan Vol 2(Storyville STCD4129)
Art Pepper/Not A Through Street Live In Yamagata 78(TOFREC88901-2)
Art
Pepper concluded a very successful tour of Japan with a concert in Yamagata
that was recorded and released on two Storyville CDs. The first CD has just 38
minutes of music, but the quality is quite high. Pepper
(with pianist Milcho
Leviev, bassist Bob
Magnusson and drummer Carl
Burnett) performs lengthy versions of two originals ("Ophelia,"
"My Laurie") and "Besame Mucho"; the latter was a request
from his Japanese friends that was very well received and became a permanent
part of his repertoire. The recording quality is excellent and Pepper
is in explorative and somewhat inspired form. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
The second of two CDs taken from the final night of Art
Pepper's 1978 Japanese tour features the great altoist (along with pianist Milcho
Leviev, bassist Bob
Magnusson and drummer Carl
Burnett) exploring two of his originals ("The Trip," and "Red
Car"), a lyrical version of Michel
Legrand's "The Summer Knows" and an intense rendition of
"Caravan." None of the Storyville sets have been reissued elsewhere,
and each adds to the remarkable legacy of Art
Pepper whose second career (covering 1975-82) was arguably even greater than
his first. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
43-SEPT 2/78-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Russ Freeman(p)Bob Magnusson(b)Frank Butler(d)
Among Friends
Round Midnight
Im Getting Sentimental Over You
Blue Bossa
What is This Thing Called Love
What's New
Besame Mucho
I'll Remember April
 |
Art Pepper/Among
Friends(Discovery 837)
Art
Pepper mostly sticks to standards on this Discovery LP, but he brings out
new life in the veteran songs, particularly on such ballads as "Round
Midnight," "What's New" and "Besame Mucho." With the
assistance of pianist Russ
Freeman, bassist Bob
Magnusson and drummer Frank
Butler, the great altoist (who is heard just prior to signing an exclusive
contract with the Galaxy label) is also in top form on such pieces as "What
Is This Thing Called Love" and "I'll Remember April." An
excellent (if not quite essential) release. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
44-DEC 1-2/78-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Stanley Cowell(p)Cecil Mcbee(b)Roy Haynes(d)Kenneth Nash(cga on
Mambo Koyama)
Miss Who
Mambo Koyama
Lover Come Back to Me
Patricia
These Foolish Things
Chris's Blues
Over The Rainbow(Released On Galaxy 5133-Ballads by Four)
Yardbird Suite(Released On Galaxy 5134-Five Birds And A Monk)
I Love You (Never Before Released)
Pepper Pot(Never Before Released)
These Foolish Things(Never Before Released)
Over The Rainbow(Never Before Released)
Art Pepper/Art Pepper
Today(Galaxy GXY5119)
Altoist Art
Pepper, in the midst of a successful comeback, recorded this excellent set
(also included in full in his massive Galaxy box set) for Galaxy. With pianist Stanley
Cowell, bassist Cecil
McBee and drummer Roy
Haynes, Pepper
performs a definitive version of his intense ballad "Patricia"; other
highlights include "Miss Who," "Lover Come Back to Me" and
"Chris' Blues." The CD reissue also has a second alternate version of
"These Foolish Things." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Art Pepper /The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2) 16 CD Set
SESSION
45-FEB 23/79-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Hank Jones(p)Ron Carter(b)Al Foster(d)
Straight No Chaser (Alt)
Straight No Chaser
Yesterdays (Never Before Released)
A Night in Tunisia
A Night in Tunisia (Alt Never Before Released)
Diane
My Friend John
Duo Blues
Art Pepper/New York
Album(Galaxy GXY5154)
Art Pepper/So In Love(Artist House AH9412)
This deluxe release from the classy (but long defunct) Artists House label, as
with all of Art
Pepper's recordings of his comeback years, is easily recommended. Actually
all of this music has been reissued in greatly expanded form in Pepper's
massive 16-CD Galaxy box set. The original LP has lengthy versions of "So
in Love," "Stardust," "Straight No Chaser" and two Pepper
originals ("Diane" and "Blues for Blanche"). Assisted by two
equally talented rhythm sections (pianists Hank
Jones and George
Cables, bassists Ron
Carter and Charlie
Haden, and drummers Al
Foster and Billy
Higgins), Pepper
is in excellent form throughout the album, giving these songs heartwrenching
interpretations. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Art Pepper/The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2)16 CD Set
SESSION 46-MAR 26-27/79-ART
PEPPER/BILL WATROUS
Art Pepper(as)Bill Watrous(tb)Russ Freeman(p)Bob Magnusson(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Funny Blues
Angel Eyes
For Art Sake
Just Friends
P. Town
Begine the Beguine
When Your Lover Has Gone
Art Pepper/Bill Watrous/Funk'n Fun(Yupiteru-AtlasYJ25-7024)
SESSION
47-MAY 25-26/79-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as,cl)George Cables(p)Charlie Haden(b)Billy Higgins(d)
Blues for Blanche (Alt A)
Landscape(Never Before Released)
Stardust
Donna Lee
Donna Lee(Alt Never Before Released)
Blues for Blanche (Alt B Never Before Released)
Blues for Blanche
So in Love
Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)
Body and Soul
You Go to My Head
Tin Tin Deo (Released Only In Japan)
Stardust (Alt Released Only In Japan)
Anthropology
In a Mellow Tone(Released Only In Japan)
Desafinado
My Friend John(Never Before Released)
My Friend John (Alt Released Only In Japan)
Album Release: Art Pepper/New
York Album(Galaxy GXY5154)
Album Release: Art Pepper/Art Works (Galaxy GXY 5148)
The performances on this Galaxy LP are essentially outtakes and leftovers from Art
Pepper's 1979 sessions for Artists House. However, the quality is quite
high, making one wonder why this material was not released until 1984.
"Body and Soul" and "You Go to My Head" are particularly
special, for they are unaccompanied alto solos, and on "Anthropology,"
Pepper
has a rare outing on clarinet. The remaining numbers -- "Desafinado,"
"Donna Lee" and "Blues for Blanche" -- feature the great
altoist with pianist George
Cables, bassist Charlie
Haden and drummer Billy
Higgins. All of the highly enjoyable and bop-based but explorative music has
since been reissued on CD in Pepper's 16-CD Galaxy box set. -- Scott Yanow,
All Music Guide
Album Release: Art Pepper/So In Love (Artist House AH9412)
Album Release: Art Pepper/Stardust (VIJ Japan 6442)
CD Box Set Art Pepper/The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD 1016-2) 16 CD Set
SESSION
48-JUNE 13-14/79-ART PEPPER/ELVIN JONES QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Roland Hanna(p)Richard Davis(b)Elvin Jones(d)
Sweet Mama
Passion Flower
Zange
Tin Tin Deo
Pitter Pat
The Witching Hour
Art Pepper/Elvin Jones/Very
R.A.R.E(Konnex 5036)
The performances heard on this Evidence CD were originally put out by Japanese
labels. The first six selections feature the potentially explosive quartet of
drummer Elvin
Jones, altoist Art
Pepper (on four of the numbers), pianist Roland
Hanna and bassist Richard
Davis. Unfortunately few sparks occur, a bass-drum feature on "Pitter
Pat" is a bit dull and Pepper
never really cuts loose. However the two remaining tracks are much more
memorable. Jones'
regular quintet of 1978 (with Frank
Foster on tenor and soprano, Pat
LaBarbera on tenor, guitarist Roland
Prince and bassist Andy
McCloud) stretches out in exciting fashion on the 15½-minute "E.J.
Blues" and a 26½-minute exploration of two of the movements from "A
Love Supreme." Those performances (which contrast Foster's
Coltrane-inspired
tenor with LaBarbera's
Sonny
Rollins-influenced playing) make the CD worth getting
SESSION
49-JULY16&23/79-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)George Cables(p)Tony Dumas(b)Billy Higgins(d)
Recorded In Performance At Shiba Yubin Chokin Hall Toyko
July 16/79
True Blues
Avalon
The Trip (Released Only In Japan)
Landscape
Sometime
Mambo De La Pinta (Never Before Released)
Red Car (Released Only In Japan)
Over the Rainbow (Never Before Released0
Mambo Koyama(Never Before Released)
Straight Life(Never Before released)
Besame Mucho(Released Only In Japan
July 23/79
True Blues(Never Before Released)
Avalon(Never Before Released)
The Shadow of Your Smile(Released Only In Japan)
Landscape(Never Before Released)
Sometime(Never Before Released)
Mambo De La Pinta(Never Before Released)
Red Car (Never Before Released)
Over the Rainbow
Mambo Koyama(Never Before Released
Straight Life
Besame Mucho(Never Before released)
CD Release: Art Pepper/Landscape(GalaxyOJCCD 676-2)
Altoist Art
Pepper was in inspired form during this Tokyo concert, which has also been
reissued as part of a huge "complete" Galaxy box set. This particular
single-CD features Pepper
(along with pianist George
Cables, bassist Tony
Dumas and drummer Billy
Higgins) on memorable versions of "True Blues,"
"Sometime" (during which Pepper
switches to clarinet), "Landscape," "Avalon," "Over the
Rainbow," "Straight Life" and the CD "bonus" cut
"Mambo De La Pinta." Throughout, Pepper's
intensity and go-for-broke style are exhilarating. -- Scott Yanow, All Music
Guide
CD Release: Toyko Encore (Dreyfus 191033-6)6 Tracks
It is not obvious looking at the outside of this CD but the music from this
live performance is also included in Art
Pepper's 16-CD Galaxy set. However those Pepper
fans unable to afford the larger box are advised to acquire this Dreyfus single
CD for the altoist is heard in superb form. Accompanied (and inspired) by
pianist George
Cables, bassist Tony
Dumas and drummer Billy
Higgins, Pepper
stretches out on six superior pieces that are highlighted by "Besame
Mucho," "Straight Life" and one of the greatest versions ever
recorded of "Over the Rainbow." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Album Release: Art Pepper/Besame Mucho(VIJ6372 Japan)
CD Box Set Art Pepper/The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2)16 CD Set
Session 49.5 July
23, 1979 KEI ISHIGURO - Ad Lib
Kei Ishiguro (vcl); Art Pepper (as); Hiromosa Suzuki
(p); Akira Okaza (b); Syuicai Murakami (d); Tsunohide Matsuki (g)
Recorded:
-Kurayami No Love Song
-Konban Ohima
CD Release Label: JVCNumber: SJX-20174
SESSION
50-AUG 21/79-ART PEPPER
Art Pepper-Solo Alto Saxaphone
But Beautiful(Never Before Released)
When You're Smiling(Never Before Released
Art Pepper/The Complete
Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2)16 CD Set
Altoist Art
Pepper was at the height of his career during his final five years. A
brilliant improviser in the 1950s, by the late '70s the many dark experiences he
had had in life were reflected in a deep emotional intensity in his playing. He
played each solo as if it might be his last and his passion was brutally honest.
This giant 16-CD Galaxy set features Pepper
at the peak of his powers. Most of the performances are in a quartet setting
although there is a session with strings, five unaccompanied alto solos (he also
plays clarinet on a few tracks) and a pair of CDs in which Pepper
duets with pianist George
Cables. Although more general collectors may want to acquire some of the
individual sessions first (most of which are available separately on CD), the
more dedicated jazz fans are advised to save their money and acquire this
essential package. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION
51-SEPT 21/79-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Tommy Flanagan(p)Red Mitchell(b)Kenneth Nash(perc On Make A List)
Surf Ride
Nature Boy
Straight Life
September Song
Make A List(Make A Wish)
Long Ago and Far Away(Never Before released)
Nature Boy (Alt Never Before Released)
Art Pepper/Straight
Life(GalaxyGXY 5127)
Altoist Art
Pepper recorded many albums for the Galaxy label during 1979-82, all of
which have been reissued in a massive 16-CD "complete" box set. This
single CD is pretty definitive and serves as a perfect introduction to Pepper's
second (and most rewarding) period. Not only is there a superior version of Pepper's
famous title cut but very emotional (and explorative) renditions of
"September Song" and "Nature Boy." Filling out this quartet
set (which also features pianist Tommy
Flanagan, bassist Red
Mitchell and drummer Billy
Higgins) are "Surf Ride," "Make a List" and "Long
Ago and Far Away." Brilliant music. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Art Pepper/The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2)
SESSION 52-FEB 21/22/80-ART
PEPPER/JACK SHELDON QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Jack Sheldon(tp)Milcho leviev(p)Tony Dumas(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Angel Wings
Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
Jack's Blues
Broadway
Historia De la Mor
Minority
Art Pepper/Jack Sheldon And
Friends:Angel Wings(AtlasLA27-1001)
Other than a set for Bill
Berry's Beez label, this obscure instrumental Japanese LP was trumpeter Jack
Sheldon's first as a leader since 1969. Mostly of interest due to the
pairing of Sheldon
with altoist Art
Pepper, the Los Angeles date (with pianist Milcho
Leviev, bassist Tony
Dumas and drummer Carl
Burnette) finds the group mostly sticking to jazz standards (including Gigi
Gryce's "Minority," which is mistakenly attributed to Pepper).
Few fireworks occur, although the musicians play well, particularly on Pepper's
"Angel Wings," "Jack's Blues" and "Broadway." -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 53-FEB26/27/80 ART
PEPPER/PETE JOLLY
Art Pepper(as)Pete Jolly(p)Bob Magnusson(b)Roy McCurdy(d)
Strike Up the Band
You Go to My Head
I Surrender Dear
Y.I Blues
Night and Day
Everything Happens to Me
Out of Nowhere
CD Release: Art Pepper/Pete Jolly/Strike Up The Band(Atlas271003)
Session 53.5-Art Pepper
Quartet
Art Pepper (as); Milcho Leviev (p); Bob Magnusson (b); Carl Burnett (d)
Recorded: May 1980
Untitled #34
Avalon
Straight Life
Patricia
Blues For Blanche
A Song For Richard
CD Release Live In Atlanta Label: TDKNumber: 191033-2
SESSION
54-JUNE28/29/80-ART PEPPER/MILCHO LEVIEV QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Milcho Leviev(p)Tony Dumas(b)Carl Burnett(d)
True Blues
Make a List, Make a Wish
Sad, A Little Bit
Ophelia
Goodbye
Blues for the Fisherman
Straight Life/Y.I. Blues Omittted From CD
Album Release: Art Pepper/Milcho Leviev/Blues For The Fisherman-Live At Ronnie
Scotts (Mole Jazz 1)
CD Release: Art Pepper/Milcho Leviev/Blues For The Fisherman-Live At Ronnie
Scotts (Mole Jazz 1)
SESSION 55-JULY 28-29/80-ART
PEPPER/SONNY STITT
Art Pepper(as)Sonny Stitt(as)Lou Levy(p)Chuck Domanico(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Scrapple From the Apple
Wee
Bernie's Tune
How High the Moon
Walkin
Grovin High
Art Pepper/Sonny Stitt/Groovin High(Atlas 271004)
SESSION
56-JULY 30-31/80-ART PEPPER/SONNY STITT QUINTET
Art Pepper(as,ts)Sonny Stitt(as,ts)Russ Freeman(p)John Heard(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Atlas Blues
KLester Leaps In
Autumn in New York
My Funny Valentine
Lover Man
Imagination
Art Pepper/Sonny Stitt/Atlas Blues"Blow&Ballade"(Atlas355)
SESSION
57-SEPT 3-4/80-ART PEPPER QUINTET WITH STRINGS
Art Pepper(as)Stanley Cowell(p)Cecil Mcbee(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Our Song
Here's That Rainy Day
That's Love
Winter Moon
When the Sun Comes Out
Blues in the Night
The Prisoner
Ol Man River(Never Before Released)
Here's That Rainy Day(Alt Never Before Released)
Winter Moon (Alt Never Before Released)
When The Sun Comes Out(Alt Never Before Released)
Our Song(Alt Never Before Released)
The Prisoner(Alt NeverBefore released)
Art Pepper/Winter Moon(Galaxy
GXY 5140)
Ever since Artie
Shaw and Charlie
Parker, most jazz musicians have had a desire to record at least once in
their lives with strings, often considering it a prestigious honor. Altoist Art
Pepper finally had his chance on this album and fortunately the string
arrangements (by Bill
Holman and Jimmy
Bond) do not weigh down the proceedings. Pepper
sounds quite inspired performing seven strong compositions highlighted by Hoagy
Carmichael's "Winter Moon," "When the Sun Comes Out" and
a clarinet feature on "Blues in the Night." This material (plus four
alternate takes and two other songs from the same sessions) is included in the
massive Art
Pepper Galaxy box set. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Art Pepper/ The Complete Galaxy Collection(GCD1016-2)
SESSION
58-SEPT 5/80-ART PEPPER QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Stanley Cowell(p)Howard Roberts(g)Cecil McBee(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Mr. Big Falls His J.G. Hand
Close to You Alone
There Will Never Be Another You
Melolev
Good bye Again
Brazil
There Will Never Be Another You(Alt never Before Released)
Melolev(Alt Never Before released)
Goodbye Again(Alt Never Before Released)
Art Pepper/One September
Afternoon(GalaxyGXY5141)
This is one of the lesser-known Art Pepper Galaxy sessions. In addition to
pianist Stanley
Cowell, bassist Cecil
McBee and drummer Carl
Burnett, guitarist Howard
Roberts helps out on two songs. Three alternate takes are added to the
original six-tune program which is highlighted by "There Will Never Be
Another You" and a passionate rendition of "Brazil." -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
Art Pepper/The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2)
SESSION 58.5
September15,17,18 & 19 -1980 Freddie Hubbard/Art Pepper
Freddy Hubbard (tp),Art Pepper (as),George Cables (p),Stanley
Clark (b), Peter Erskine (d), Roland Bautista (g), Paulinho Da
Costa (perc), Phil Ranelin (tb), Peter Wolf (systh)
Sunshine Lady, Eclipse, Blue Nights, Now I've Found Love, I
Love You, Bring It Back Home
MISTRAL (LIBERTY LT-1110)
SESSION 59-MAY 4/81-ART
PEPPER/SHELLY MANNE
Art Pepper(as)Bill Watrous(tb)Bob Cooper(ts)Pete Jolly (p)Monte Budwig(b)Shelly
Manne(d)
Just Friends
These Foolish Things
Hollywood Jam Blues
Lover Come Back to Me
Limehouse Blues
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Art Pepper/Shelly Manne/Hollywood Jam(Atlas271012)
SESSION 60 ART PEPPER QUARTET
IN COPENHAGEN 7/81
Art Pepper (as) Duke Jordan(p)David Williams(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Blues Montmarte
What is This Thing Called Love
Over the Rainbow
Caravan
Rhythmn a Ning
You Go to My Head
Besame Mucho
Cherokee
Radio Blues
Good Bait
All The Things You Are
Art Pepper/Live in Copenhagen
With Duke Jordon (Toy Factory Records 889167)
This was the first and last time Pepper
worked with Jordan,
and came about as a result of Pepper's
usual pianist, George
Cables, being unable to make the dates at Club Montmartre in Copenhagen. To Pepper's
dismay, Danmarks Radio decided to record the first gig of the Montmartre series.
Pepper
need not have worried -- the show was a rousing success, with the band tackling
a set of standards (and a couple of Pepper
originals) with such verve and determination that relatively simple tunes turned
into astounding solo workouts (there are several drum and bass solos to be heard
on this record), the amazing highlight of which is a shot at "Besame
Mucho" that rounds out to twenty-two minutes. Art
Pepper was in the process of dying at the time this recording was made, but
there's no lack of energy, no loss of vitality. A two-CD live jazz set that's
well worth having and should not be overlooked. -- Steven McDonald, All Music
Guide
SESSION
61-AUG 13-14-15/81-ART PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as,cl)George Cables(p)David Williams(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Recorded Live in Performance At Maiden Voyage(Los Angeles)
Aug 13/81
Donna Lee(never Before released)
What's New
Landscape (Unedited Version Never Before released)
Valse Triste
Thank You Blues
Aug 14/81
Road Waltz(Never Before Released)
For Freddie(Never Before Released)
But Beautiful(never Before released)
Mambo Koyama(Never Before Released
Landscape(Never Before Released)
Aug 15/81
Roadgame(Never Before Released)
Mambo Koyama
Everything Happens to Me
Allen's Alley
Road waltz
Samba Mom Mom
When You're Smiling
But Beautiful
Road Game
For Freddie(Never Before Released)
Arthur's Blues
Album Release Art
Pepper/Roadgame(GalaxyGXY5142)
CD Release Art Pepper/Roadgame(Galaxy OJCCD 774-2)
Altoist Art
Pepper's 1981 appearances at Los Angeles' now-obsolete Maiden Voyage club
were fully documented, resulting in three LPs and a greatly expanded program
that is included on Pepper's
massive "complete" Galaxy box set. This particular release, the only
one thus far to be made available as a single CD, has Pepper
and his quartet (with pianist George
Cables, bassist David
Williams and drummer Carl
Burnett) performing "Roadgame" (an alternate take has been added
to the CD reissue), "Road Waltz," an intense "Everything Happens
to Me" and "When You're Smiling"; on the latter, Pepper
switches to clarinet. Although only a year away from his death, the great Art
Pepper was still very much in his prime for this memorable outing. -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
Album Release Art Pepper/APQ(GalaxyGXY5151)
CD Release Art Pepper/APQ
CD Release Arthur's Blues (OJC-680)
A '92 CD reissue of another sparkling late '80s session from alto
saxophonist Art
Pepper, this one a quartet date with a blues theme. Pepper's
jagged, turbulent solos expressed the rage and despair he felt knowing he was
nearing the end and still had many things he wanted to say. He's backed by what
had become his regular band: pianist George
Cables, bassist David
Williams, and drummer Carl
Burnett. -- Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
Album Release Art Pepper/Art Lives(GalaxyGXY5145)
CD Release Art Pepper/Art Lives
The music on this LP is from altoist Art
Pepper's well-documented engagement at the Maiden Voyage club in Los Angeles
in 1981. All of the music has since been reissued on CD as part of his giant
16-CD set. Pepper,
pianist George
Cables, bassist David
Williams and drummer Carl
Burnett are heard at their best on "Allen's Alley," and
"Samba Mom Mom." A special highlight is a passionate duet by Pepper
and Cables
on "But Beautiful." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
CD Box Set Art Pepper/The Complete Galaxy Recordings(GCD1016-2)
SESSION 62-VARIOUS DATES-ART
PEPPER QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)George Cables(p)David Williams(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Allens Alley(Rec Nov 24/81 in concert at Yubin Chokin Hall Toyko,Japan)
Same as above
Straight Life(Rec Nov 22/81 in concert Sapporo,Japan)
Art Pepper(as)Milcho Leviev(p)Bob Magnusson(b)Carl Burnett(d)
Kobe Blues (Rec 1978-Japan)
Same as above
Patricia (Recorded May 1980- Atlanta,Georgia)
CD Release: Art
Pepper/Laurie's Choice(Laserlight 17012)
Although it has come out on a budget label, these four performances (taken from
concert appearances in 1978, 1980 and 1981) had never previously been released
before. With support from either George
Cables or Milcho
Leviev on piano, David
Williams or Bob
Magnusson on bass and drummer Carl
Burnett, the great altoist Art
Pepper is in excellent form on an emotional "Kobe Blues," an
intense version of "Patricia" and hard-swinging renditions of
"Allen's Alley" and his own "Straight Life." -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
SESSION 63-OCT/81-ART
PEPPER/ZOOT SIMS QUARTET
Art Pepper(as)Barney Kessel(g)Victor Feldman(p)Ray Brown,Charlie Haden(b)Billy
Higgins(d)
Wee(Allens Alley)
Over The Rainbow
In The Middle Of A Kiss
Broadway
The Girl From Ipenema
Breakdown Blues
CD Release: Art Pepper/Art'n'Zoot(Pablo
2310-957)
This historic music, which was released for the first time on this 1995 CD,
features an exuberant session by a notable group of veteran all-stars, recorded
live at UCLA in 1981. Altoist Art
Pepper is heard on a lyrical and emotional version of "Over the
Rainbow" (the only selection that has Charlie
Haden on bass). Tenor great Zoot
Sims swings on "In the Middle of a Kiss," "Broadway" and
"The Girl from Ipanema"; the latter two songs also feature guitarist Barney
Kessel. But the main reason to acquire this disc is to hear Sims
and Pepper
jamming together on "Wee" and "Breakdown Blues." The rhythm
section of pianist Victor
Feldman, bassist Ray
Brown and drummer Billy
Higgins is as tight, alert and hard-swinging as one would expect, and it is
a joy to hear this rare encounter by the two great saxophonists. It is only a
pity that Pepper
and Sims
did not record together more extensively during their careers. -- Scott
Yanow, All Music Guide
Session 63.5 November 22,
1981 Art Pepper Quartet
Art Pepper (as);George Cables (p); David Williams
(b); Carl Burnett (d)
Recorded:
-Billie's Bounce
-Besame Mucho
-Road Waltz
-Intro of Band
-Body and Soul
-Rhythming & Authur's Blues
CD Release TDK # TDCN-5172ART PEPPER - Live In Far North
Japan
SESSION 64-JAN 18/82-ART
PEPPER/LEE KONITZ QUINTET
Art Pepper(as)Lee Konitz(as)Michael Lang(p)Bob Magnusson(b)John Dentz(d)
S'wonderful
Whims Of Chambers
A Minor Blues In F
This Can't Be Love
The Shadow of your Smile
Aniversary Song
Cherokee
Art Pepper/Lee Konitz/High Jingo(Atlas352)
SESSION 65- FEB 16/82-ART
PEPPER/RICHIE COLE QUINTET
Art Pepper(as,cl)Richie Cole(as,ts,bar)Roger Kellaway(p)Bob Magnusson(b)Billy
Higgins(d)
Return to Alto Acres
Things We Did Last Summer
Art's Opus
A&R
Palo Alto Blues
Broadway
Sleigh Ride (rel on Mistleltoe Magic(Palo Alto 8032)
Art Pepper/Richie Cole/Return
To Alto Acres(Palo Alto Records 8023)
On his first LP for Palo Alto, Richie
Cole got to meet up for the only time on record with altoist