Beautiful late work from Art Pepper – one of his albums recorded for the well-done Artist House label, and a set that's maybe got a different vibe than some of his Galaxy recordings of the time! There's a rock-solid sense of soul to the record – one that comes from the work of two different rhythm trios – one that features George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm trio who keep things swinging, but never in a way that's too straight – pushing Art a bit around the edges, but letting him come right down the middle with some fantastic solos on alto – the other with Hank Jones on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Tunes are a bit shorter than on some other albums of the period, but in a great way that really lets you focus in on Pepper's amazing sound –and titles include "Diane", "Stardust", "Blues For Blanche", and "Straight No Chaser". CD

A great little record from Art Pepper – four long tracks that really have him stretching out on alto – but in a way that's maybe a bit different than some of his more burning albums on the Galaxy label at the time! The group here follows from some of the previous Artist House recordings – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm combo that's mighty nice – and which benefits from some great straight basswork from Haden, and Higgins' always compelling sense of rhythm! Titles include "My Friend John", "Stardust", and "Tin Tin Deo" – plus a reading of "In A Mellotone" that has Art on clarinet. LP, Vinyl record album

A great little record from Art Pepper – four long tracks that really have him stretching out on alto – but in a way that's maybe a bit different than some of his more burning albums on the Galaxy label at the time! The group here follows from some of the previous Artist House recordings – George Cables on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – a rhythm combo that's mighty nice – and which benefits from some great straight basswork from Haden, and Higgins' always compelling sense of rhythm! Titles include "My Friend John", "Stardust", and "Tin Tin Deo" – plus a reading of "In A Mellotone" that has Art on clarinet. CD features six bonus tracks – the tune "Art's Sweet Blues", and alternates of "But Beautiful", "Yesterdays", "Stardust", "In A Mellow Tone", and "You Go To My Head". CD

Although Art Pepper's early work with the Kenton group is always cited as being revolutionary and groundbreaking, it's always been tough to get a handle on because his tracks as a featured soloist are scattered over many different albums. That problem is solved nicely by this collection – as it brings together most of Pepper's best sides with Kenton, recured during the years 1943 to 1951. The set's presented with a handsome cover that has a nice early photo of Pepper (with a moustache!), and full discographical information on all the tracks. Titles include "Viva Prado", "Journey To Brazil", "Harlem Folk Dance", "Sambo", "Dynaflow", and "Art Pepper". CD

A soaring later date from Art Pepper – recorded with excellent rhythm from the trio of Stanley Cowell on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Roy Haynes on drums – plus a bit of percussion from Kenneth Nash too! LP, Vinyl record album

The "trip" here is a mellow one – not the soaring, spacey style you might expect in a long line of drug-reference titles for Art Pepper albums – but that difference is a-ok with us, because Art's really hitting some great new territory here, thanks to a hip trio that includes George Cables on piano! Tracks are long and stretched out – but in a way that's gently exploratory, and focused on a really warm sense of tone – in a mode that we might liken slightly to Stan Getz at his best moments from the same period, particularly the groove he developed in his post-Sweet Rain years. Other members of the quartet include David Williams on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – and tracks include "The Trip", "Sweet Love Of Mine", "A Song For Richard", "Red Car", and "The Summer Knows". LP, Vinyl record album

The "trip" here is a mellow one – not the soaring, spacey style you might expect in a long line of drug-reference titles for Art Pepper albums – but that difference is a-ok with us, because Art's really hitting some great new territory here, thanks to a hip trio that includes George Cables on piano! Tracks are long and stretched out – but in a way that's gently exploratory, and focused on a really warm sense of tone – in a mode that we might liken slightly to Stan Getz at his best moments from the same period, particularly the groove he developed in his post-Sweet Rain years. Other members of the quartet include David Williams on bass and Elvin Jones on drums – and tracks include "The Trip", "Sweet Love Of Mine", "Song For Richard", "Red Car", and "The Summer Knows". CD features 1 bonus track! CD

A beautiful, late "with strings" session from Art Pepper – with piano by Stanley Cowell and Cecil McBee on bass! CD

A great spare set from Art Pepper – a date that features Art on alto and clarinet, with piano from George Cables. CD

Tremendous saxophone interplay throughout – and 2 great 50s sessions that both feature Art Pepper and Warne Marsh! The first half of the CD is the legendary Vanguard album Free Wheeling – one of the few sessions ever cut by tenorist Ted Brown – working here with a group that features Warne Marsh and Art Pepper in the frontline, with rhythm by Ronnie Ball on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Jeff Morton on drums. The session's got the outward appearance of a west coast session, but has much more soul overall – the kind of Back Bay Boston sound you'd hear in 50s sessions by Charlie Mariano or Dick Johnson – with plenty of rasp on Pepper's horn, and some nice edges on Brown's as well! Tracks are short, and often with ensemble heads – but the production is beautiful, and the interplay between the three saxophonists comes through with amazing quality! Titles include "Crazy She Calls Me", "Arrival", "Once We Were Young", "Avalon", "Foolin Myself", "Aretha", and "Long Gone". The remaining 7 tracks on the CD were recorded on the same day, but with a lineup that features Ted Brown dropping out, so that the main interplay is between Pepper's alto and Warne Marsh's tenor. Again, the sound is incredible – far fresher than most of Pepper's so-called "classic" sessions, and it shows the edge and creativity of his alto playing in a way that few other albums ever do. We really recommend this one if you've ever been disappointed by another Pepper album – because there's a sharpness here that really comes through. Titles include "All the Things You Are", "What's New", "Avalon", "Warnin", "Stompin At The Savoy", and "Tickle Toe". CD

A fantastic album from Pepper Adams – one of his best, and an incredibly swinging session that will make you forget that he's playing a heavy baritone! At some level, the session shouldn't work so well – as it's got a rhythm group that's not particularly hard-hitting – with Hank Jones on piano, George Duvivier on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – and Adams' baritone is matched with the euphonium of Bernard McKinney, which should weigh the session down into even deeper depths. But for some reason, there was magic in the air when the album was recorded – and the group gels together perfectly, slinkily sliding through the tunes with all the coolness implied in the title, yet with a deep deep dose of Detroit soul from Adams and McKinney. Tracks are all nice and long, and titles include "Bloos Blooze Blues", "Skippy", and "Like What Is This?" CD

A real lost treasure from Pacific Jazz – a rare late 50s west coast session from Pepper Adams, featuring the amazing baritonist in a group with Lee Katzman on trumpet, Jimmy Rowles on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums! The sound is incredible – on a par with that rare few of Adams' other magnificent albums as a leader – modern, yet soulful, and with a fluid feel that makes it hard to believe that Pepper's working with a baritone sax. Adams' work is always top-shelf, but this album's an even further cut above – and its proof that Pepper was one of the strongest talents burning in jazz in the late 50s! Tracks are all longish, and feature some nice unusual numbers that include "Minor Mishap", "Blackout Blues", "High Step", "5021", and "Zec". CD also features the bonus track "Four Funky People". CD

Pepper Adams never fails to blow us away in a small group setting – and here, on a killer quartet date from the early 80s, he really wins us over all over again! The album's one of those great ones from Adams – in which he's really let loose to open up and blow some extended, imaginative solos – the kind of open-ended baritone sax romps that few (if any) other players could do this well! The rhythm section kicks with just the right sort of energy for the tunes – Jimmy Rowles on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Billy Hart on drums – and titles include "Trentino", "Urban Dreams", "Three Little Words", "Dexter Rides Again", and "Time Is On My Hands". LP, Vinyl record album

A unique large group session from Art Pepper – one of his few this way as a leader, despite constant 50s presence as a sideman in big ensembles! Arrangements are by Marty Paich, who more than makes things swing – and there's a nice rhythm section dancing underneath a larger group – with Russ Freeman on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass and Mel Lewis on drums. Players in the fuller lineup include Jack Sheldon on trumpet, Herb Geller on alto, Bill Perkins on tenor, and Bob Enevoldsen on trombone and tenor – and titles are mostly modern numbers written by other jazzmen like Horace Silver, Denzil Best, Jimmy Giuffre, and Sonny Rollins. Titles include "Groovin High", "Move", "Four Brothers", "Anthropology", and "Airegin". LP, Vinyl record album

A lost treasure – finally brought back to light! The album features previously unissued material by the team of Art Pepper and Warne Marsh – tracks recorded back in 1956 for Contemporary records, but only issued many years later as part of the Complete Contemporary project for Pepper's work. Why these dates never made it to wax is a real mystery to us – because the pairing of Pepper's alto and Marsh's tenor is perhaps even greater than the more famous team of Marsh & Konitz – and the sound here is completely wonderful – fluid, modern, and exceptionally poised – yet never without soul! CD includes a few master and original takes of some numbers – and titles include "All The Things You Are", "Tickle Toe", "Warnin", "Stompin At The Savoy", "What's New", "Avalon", and "I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me". CD

Japanese collection of albums that were originally issued only overseas – a series of sessions that bring Art Pepper together with some jazz heroes of his early years, plus surprising guests like Sonny Stitt, Bill Watrous, and Lee Konitz! CD

Late live work from Art Pepper – and a set that has him blowing a bit of clarinet, in addition to his usual alto sax! The session was recorded in performance in Tokyo, but it's got the close-up feel of some of Art's studio sets from the time – beautifully blown, with an open quality in the way the tunes unfold, yet a tightness on the solos that's undeniable! The rhythm section features George Cables on piano, Tony Dumas on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – and Pepper plays clarinet on the tune "Sometime", and alto on "True Blues", "Landscape", "Avalon", and "Straight Life". Recorded over two nights of July '79 and consists of two sets each night. CD

One of Art Pepper's most classic sets for Contemporary – a record that puts him in the company of the Miles Davis rhythm section – Jimmy Cobb on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and Wynton Kelly on piano – who make up 3/5 of a quintet that also includes trumpeter Conte Candoli! The tracks open up a bit more from some of Pepper's 50s work in LA – arguably a bit tighter at times, and possibly a bit more "classic" – at least to longtime fans of the set. There's a bit less edge here than on some of Art's other 50s dates, but the album's still a great one – with titles that are a mixture of originals like "Getting Together", "Diane", and "Bijou The Poodle", plus a few other strong numbers, like Chambers' "Whims Of Chambers" and Dory & Andre Previn's "Why Are We Afraid?" CD

One of Art Pepper's most classic sets for Contemporary – a record that puts him in the company of the Miles Davis rhythm section – Jimmy Cobb on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and Wynton Kelly on piano – who make up 3/5 of a quintet that also includes trumpeter Conte Candoli! The tracks open up a bit more from some of Pepper's 50s work in LA – arguably a bit tighter at times, and possibly a bit more "classic" – at least to longtime fans of the set. There's a bit less edge here than on some of Art's other 50s dates, but the album's still a great one – with titles that are a mixture of originals like "Getting Together", "Diane", and "Bijou The Poodle", plus a few other strong numbers, like Chambers' "Whims Of Chambers" and Dory & Andre Previn's "Why Are We Afraid?" CD

The first US collection of albums that were originally issued only overseas – a series of sessions that bring Art Pepper together with some jazz heroes of his early years, plus surprising guests like Sonny Stitt, Bill Watrous, and Lee Konitz! CD

Art Pepper on alto saxophone, Milcho Leviev on piano, Bob Magnusson on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums. CD

Late live work from Art Pepper, but a nicely sharp set that shows he was really at the height of his powers during these years! The well-recorded performance features some nicely extended tracks – with Art blowing in that open, searching sort of style he picked up so well in the late 70s – a Coltrane-inspired mode, but one that's still kept nicely inside too – but always with a deeper sense of soul in the tone than Pepper ever had before. The group's a quartet, with Milcho Leviev on piano, Bob Magnuson on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums – and titles include "The Summer Knows", "Girl From Ipanema", "Blues of Mine", "Stella By Starlight", and "Cherokee". CD

A really unusual 70s recording from Art Pepper – quite different than most of his better-known work from the time! The group alone is enough to indicate the unusual quality of the set – as it's larger than usual, with a great lineup that includes Harold Land and Buddy Collette on tenor, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, and Butch Lacy on electric piano – all coming together with a magically free-flowing and soulful sound. The presence of the electric piano touches the set with a nice degree of electricity – but the real energy comes from the fantastic horn interplay, stretching out nicely over the album's 3 long tracks. Titles include "Blue's Blue", "Milestones", and "Over The Rainbow". CD

Excellent small group material from modern alto genius Art Pepper – a set that might well be our favorite of all the classic albums he cut for Contemporary Records! The album's got quite a strange title – Smack Up, a very strange choice, given Pepper's well-known experience as a junkie – and the set features some edgey work that really pushes Art away from the sweeter sounds of a few years before – material that maybe reflects some of the troubles he'd been going through, which shows up in the music in some really great ways. The group is a lean quintet – with Jack Sheldon on trumpet, Pete Jolly on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass, and Frank Butler on drums – and there's some slightly off-kilter tracks on the set that really make it sparkle, including Duane Tatro's "Maybe Next Year", Ornette's "Tears Inside", and Harold Land's "Smack Up" – the irony of which, we're sure, was not lost on Art Pepper! Also includes Pepper's own "Las Cuevas De Mario". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Art Pepper on alto, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Red Mitchell on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – on titles that include "Surf Ride", "Make A List", "Nature Boy", "Straight Life", and "September Song". LP, Vinyl record album

Features Russ Freeman on piano, Ben Tucker on Bass & Gary Frommer on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

Tremendous work from saxophonist Pepper Adams – quite possibly one of his most hard-blowing sets on record! The album's a live date, recorded at the legendary Five Spot – and the group here is a swinging one with plenty of soul jazz touches – a combo that includes a young Bobby Timmons on piano, plus Donald Byrd on trumpet, Doug Watkins on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – all playing together at the height of their youthful powers! But even amidst all those heavyweights, Pepper Adams is clearly the star of the set – playing with a tone that's unbelievable – almost more tenor-like than a baritone sax, and filled with feeling throughout, even on the mellower moments. Donald Byrd sits out on one track, leaving Adams to dominate the ballad "You're My Thrill" – but he returns to the fold in tight formation on versions of "Hastings Street Bounce", "Yourna", "Tis", and "The Long Two/Four". CD

Features Frank Foster on tenor and Tommy Flanagan on piano! CD

Late 60s greatness from Pepper Adams – an overlooked session that's easily one of his most standout sides of the decade! There's an easygoing swing to the record that's simply wonderful – a well-blown sound that's never too overthought or academic – just pure proof of the sort of inroads that Pepper Adams made with the baritone sax back in the 50s, as he liberated the instrument from its work in the chorus to a fully-voiced solo instrument of its own! The other players certainly help contribute to the magic of the date – and in addition to a rhythm section that includes Tommy Flanagan on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums, the set also features Zoot Sims on tenor, blowing with a tone that's almost as deep as Adams! Titles include "Cindy's Tune", "I've Just Seen Her", "Serenity", "Inanout", "Punjab", "Elusive", and "Verdandi". CD

Genius work from Pepper Adams – one of those players we sometimes forget about, then drop the needle on a record like this and fall in love with his music all over again! Adams blows baritone sax like nobody else – with a sensitivity that you'd normally hear on tenor, and a mix of modes that should have made him one of the most respected saxophonists of his generation – something that maybe didn't happen because of his unusual horn! Yet although big, there's nothing heavy about the way Pepper handles his horn – as you'll hear especially on the few ballads – and as usual for Adams, his choice of a group is great too – a sharp lineup with Walter Norris on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Makaya Ntshoko on drums. Titles include "Julian", "Ad Astra", "Jirge", "Spacemaker", and "Three & One". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most hard-hitting sessions ever recorded for the Bethlehem label – and a rare date for the imprint by the team of trumpeter Donald Byrd and saxophonist Pepper Adams! The style here is similar to work the pair recorded for Riverside and Blue Note at the same time – razor-sharp hardbop, played with a strong sense of imagination, and plenty of room for drawn-out, creatively-blown solos. Adams is especially great – playing the baritone here with the leanness of a tenor sax – but Byrd is wonderful too, and really starts to break out of some of the more staid modes of his work from a few years back. The group's a sextet that includes guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer "Hey" Lewis (pseudonym for Lewis Hayes) – on titles that include "Trio", "Philson", "Libeccio", and "Bitty Ditty". LP, Vinyl record album

Pepper Adams is easily one of the hippest players you'll ever hear on the baritone sax – an artist who changed in great ways over the decades, and always seemed to deliver something special when he got a chance to record as a leader! That's definitely the case here – as Adams stretches out on these really long tracks – blowing his horn with the kind of longform imagination that you might hear on a tenor performance of this nature by Dexter Gordon or Johnny Griffin – on a rare Canadian live date with backing from the trio of pianist Tommy Banks! Banks is a great player – with a nice raw edge that really brings a lot out of Adams – and titles are all very long, with versions of "Patrice", "Oleo", "Civilization & Its Discontents", and "Three & One". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the most hard-hitting sessions ever recorded for the Bethlehem label – and a rare date for the imprint by the team of trumpeter Donald Byrd and saxophonist Pepper Adams! The style here is similar to work the pair recorded for Riverside and Blue Note at the same time – razor-sharp hardbop, played with a strong sense of imagination, and plenty of room for drawn-out, creatively-blown solos. Adams is especially great – playing the baritone here with the leanness of a tenor sax – but Byrd is wonderful too, and really starts to break out of some of the more staid modes of his work from a few years back. The group's a sextet that includes guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer "Hey" Lewis (another name for Louis Hayes?) – on titles that include "Trio", "Philson", "Libeccio", and "Bitty Ditty". CD

Incredible work from alto genius Art Pepper – one of our favorite albums ever by the saxophonist – and a set that we actually love even more than his classic albums for the Contemporary label! Art's in a setting here that really lets him put a lot of edginess on his horn – demonstrating that sharper tone he brought to the alto, with a lot of bite in the best sort of setting – of which this album is one! The group is nicely focused – and includes Russ Freeman on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Gary Frommer on drums – working with Art to give the album a very urgent, upfront sort of vibe. The set's comprised of nearly all original tracks – and titles include "Arts Opus", "Pepper Pot", "Val's Pal", and "Diane". CD's also got 5 bonus tracks, which are alternate takes of tracks on the album. Great stuff, and one to buy if you've ever wondered why you should think Pepper is so great! CD

Late 50s recordings by Art Pepper – cut in Hollywood, in the studio, during the years 1957 and 1958, with a group that features Carl Perkins on piano, Ben Tucker on bass, and Chuck Flores on drums. This Japanese pressing isn't entirely clear on the original source of the material, but a few of the tracks are marked as "unreleased", so we're assuming that at least a few of the rest were issued by another label at one time. The quality of the work is great – laidback, crisp, and with Pepper blowing in that angular tone that was almost a bit of Konitz modern, but which still had plenty of LA bop influences. Titles include "Surfride", "Fascinatin Rhythm", "Too Close For Comfort", "Summertime", "Begin The Beguine", and "Holiday Flight". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of our favorite work ever by altoist Art Pepper – material recorded in the mid 50s in small group mode, and issued over a variety of labels that include Intro, Jazz West, Pacific Jazz, and Omegatape! The Pepper heard here is different than the Art you might catch on some of the better-known sides for Contemporary from the same stretch – because the setting's a bit more relaxed, and Pepper really hits some tremendous tones on his solos – playing with a sound that's crisp and modern, yet also surprisingly soulful too – a new deepening of his style as the 50s moved on, and an aspect of his work that we've always loved tremendously. The settings here vary – with shifting lineups of players that include Jack Sheldon, Russ Freeman, Gerald Wiggins, Red Norvo, Ben Tucker, Bill Perkins, and Carl Perkins – but there's a really unified feeling to the recordings, partly through this new sense of spirit that Pepper was bringing to his work. The package brings together both original tracks from the albums, plus bonus material from now-deleted CD reissues from years back – all done with the usual high level of Mosaic liner notes and session details! 45 tracks in all – all of them great! CD

A rare Japanese-only vinyl set of Art Pepper's legendary 1977 recordings at the Village Vanguard – really open, freewheeling material that has the mature altoist at his best! A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – and Pepper also plays some great tenor, too. All tracks are very long – and titles include "The Trip", "You Go To My Head", "Cherokee", "My Friend John", "Blues For Les", "Valse Triste", "Goodbye", "But Beautiful", "Caravan", "Labyrinth", and "Las Cuevas De Mario". LP, Vinyl record album

A legendary album from alto genius Art Pepper – a set in which he meets up with the famous Miles Davis rhythm section of the time – Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums – a trio of players who really help send the album over the top! There's maybe a bit more of a crackle in the rhythms here than on some of Art's other 50s records – which makes for a classic meeting of east and west coast scenes, and some especially nice raspy lines from Pepper – delivered at that level that always made his music of this period so nicely complex – outwardly cool, but with some seething energy at the core. Titles include a definitive take on Art's classic "Straight Life" – plus "Waltz Me Blues", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", and "Star Eyes". CD

A legendary album from alto genius Art Pepper – a set in which he meets up with the famous Miles Davis rhythm section of the time – Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums – a trio of players who really help send the album over the top! There's maybe a bit more of a crackle in the rhythms here than on some of Art's other 50s records – which makes for a classic meeting of east and west coast scenes, and some especially nice raspy lines from Pepper – delivered at that level that always made his music of this period so nicely complex – outwardly cool, but with some seething energy at the core. Titles include a definitive take on Art's classic "Straight Life" – plus "Waltz Me Blues", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", and "Star Eyes". CD

A live set recorded at the Lighthouse in 1953 – with Sonny Clark on piano! CD

A really fantastic collection of early work from the alto genius Art Pepper – very much the material that will turn you on to his talents, with cuts that aren't as widely in circulation as his material for Contemporary! This 2 LP set features everything Art recorded for the Intro and Jazz West labels, and is a totally necessary addition to any Art Pepper collection – as it's some of the finest work we can think of from the time. Titles include "Pepper Steak", "Tenor Blooz", "Mambo De La Pinta", "Blues In", "Cool Bunny", "Blues Out", and "Five More". 23 tracks in all. LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent 70s side from Art Pepper – recorded with a West Coast rhythm section that includes Hampton Hawes, Charlie Haden, and Shelly Manne! The trio all play here with a remarkable intensity, given the date of the session – and although the production's got that later, crisper Contemporary tone, it still lets Art's horn come through beautifully! Pepper's singular voice and beautiful phrasing are still intact, and the quartet cooks nicely on half a dozen numbers, mostly Pepper originals – "Ophelia", "Here's That Rainy Day", "What Laurie Likes", "Mr Yohe, "Lost Life", and "Samba Mom-Mom". CD features 1 bonus track! CD

A nice lost late number from Art Pepper – a freewheeling set of tracks that really show the influence of John Coltrane on Pepper's work – cut with a quartet that includes George Cables on piano, Tony Dumas on "blitz bass", and Carl Burnett on drums. The tracks are long, and two numbers have a really nice Latiny flair – with Art spinning out some aggressive solos on top of fast-running grooves, in a way you'd be surprised to hear on one of his albums from the time! Titles include "Rita San", "My Laurie", "Ballad of The Sad Young Men", and "Mambo De La Pinta". CD also features one bonus track – "No Limit", which oddly wasn't on the original album – even though it's got the same title! CD

Art Pepper's blowing wonderfully here in a well-recorded live set from Paris – material from the end of his life, at a time when he never failed to surprise us with fresh elements in his music! A live date like this is really the best chance to hear Pepper at this point in his career – as he's freely inventive, and extremely spontaneous – really living life to its fullest through the beauty of his horn, yet without any of the indulgences of the past. The group features Milcho Leviev on piano, Bob Magnuson on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums – and titles include a wonderful reading of Pepper's "Ophelia", plus "Caravan", "What Is This Thing Called Love", and "That's Right". CD

Given that Pepper was on and off the LA scene a fair bit in the 50s – due to personal trouble and legal battles – this album's not so much "the return", as it is one of Pepper's many strong steps back into the studio, a place in which he demonstrated an uncanny ability to craft brilliant work, despite the turmoil going on around him. The set's as classic as you can get for Pepper – right down to the classic William Claxton photo on the cover (which has a chilling story that you'll find in Art's autobiography). Players include Jack Sheldon, Russ Freeman, Leroy Vinnegar, and Shelly Manne – and titles include "Pepper Returns", "Funny Blues", "Angel Wings", "Walkin Out Blues", "Five More", "Minority", and "Mambo De La Pinta". CD

Excellent small group material from modern alto genius Art Pepper – a set that might well be our favorite of all the classic albums he cut for Contemporary Records! The album's got quite a strange title – Smack Up, a very strange choice, given Pepper's well-known experience as a junkie – and the set features some edgey work that really pushes Art away from the sweeter sounds of a few years before – material that maybe reflects some of the troubles he'd been going through, which shows up in the music in some really great ways. The group is a lean quintet – with Jack Sheldon on trumpet, Pete Jolly on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass, and Frank Butler on drums – and there's some slightly off-kilter tracks on the set that really make it sparkle, including Duane Tatro's "Maybe Next Year", Ornette's "Tears Inside", and Harold Land's "Smack Up" – the irony of which, we're sure, was not lost on Art Pepper! Also includes Pepper's own "Las Cuevas De Mario". LP, Vinyl record album

A previously unissued live recorded by Art Pepper – playing at a 1975 tribute to Charlie Parker, recorded in Pasadena with a lineup that includes Joe Albany on piano, Roy Porter on drums, Sahib Shihab on baritone sax, and Harry Babasin on bass. That quintet of players is enough to get our interest on this one – and we've got to say that the blend of baritone and alto is really great – and handled here with an open-blowing spirit that really keeps our imagination up on the set's long interpretations of Parker classics. The sound quality is a bit "live", but the quality of the solos shines through tremendously – and titles include "Groovin High", "All The Things You Are", "Ornithology", and "Donna Lee" – all over 10 minutes in length! CD

Unusual stuff – just duets between Pepper's alto and the piano of George Cables – nice and intimate! LP, Vinyl record album

Despite what you might guess from the title, the record's not a blues-based one – but a great little blowing session from an all-star array of players! It's our guess that Prestige chose to use the word "blues" in the title because "soul jazz" had yet to come into prominence – but the album's definitely a push of the hardbop blowing session mode in the soul jazz direction – using players that include Art Farmer, Idrees Sulieman, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Forrest, Pepper Adams, Ray Bryant, and Tiny Grimes on a batch of longish tunes that have plenty of bluesy overtones. Arrangements here are by Jerry Valentine, who we don't really know – but he really gets the feel of the record right – and tracks include "Sent For You Yesterday", "Blue Flute", "Jelly Jelly", and "I Wanna Blow Blow Blow". CD

With Kenny Wheeler on trumpet and flugelhorn, Hank Jones on piano, Clint Houston on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums. CD

With Roland Hanna on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. Titles include "Quiet Lady", "Patrice", "Hellure", "Bouncing With Bud", and "Ephemera". LP, Vinyl record album

Genius work from Pepper Adams – one of those players we sometimes forget about, then drop the needle on a record like this and fall in love with his music all over again! Adams blows baritone sax like nobody else – with a sensitivity that you'd normally hear on tenor, and a mix of modes that should have made him one of the most respected saxophonists of his generation – something that maybe didn't happen because of his unusual horn! Yet although big, there's nothing heavy about the way Pepper handles his horn – as you'll hear especially on the few ballads – and as usual for Adams, his choice of a group is great too – a sharp lineup with Walter Norris on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Makaya Ntshoko on drums. Titles include "Julian", "Ad Astra", "Jirge", "Spacemaker", and "Three & One". CD

A really great setting for Pepper Adams – a rare European live date that has his baritone sax matched with the mighty talents of the George Arvanitas trio! Arvanitas' piano is always great, but we especially love the rhythm work here by bassist Jacky Samson and drummer Charles Saudrais – two amazing players who help Pepper find a groove on the record that's quite different than usual. The set begins with the 11 minute "Bossa Noveau" – a Brazilian-styled groover that reminds us a lot of the Samson/Saudrais work with Marco Di Marco and Chris Woods – and the same sort of vibe follows on the 17 minute "Min & Maj Blues" too. "Ephemera" and "Body & Soul" are a bit straighter, but totally great. LP, Vinyl record album

A really great setting for Pepper Adams – a rare European live date that has his baritone sax matched with the mighty talents of the George Arvanitas trio! Arvanitas' piano is always great, but we especially love the rhythm work here by bassist Jacky Samson and drummer Charles Saudrais – two amazing players who help Pepper find a groove on the record that's quite different than usual. The set begins with the 11 minute "Bossa Noveau" – a Brazilian-styled groover that reminds us a lot of the Samson/Saudrais work with Marco Di Marco and Chris Woods – and the same sort of vibe follows on the 17 minute "Min & Maj Blues" too. "Ephemera" and "Body & Soul" are a bit straighter, but totally great – and the CD also features the bonus track "Dear Old Stockholm". CD

Includes seven complete albums recorded Kenny Burrell, Tommy Flanagan, Kenny Clarke, Donald Byrd, Elvin Jones, and others! CD

Pepper Adams never fails to blow us away in a small group setting – and here, on a killer quartet date from the early 80s, he really wins us over all over again! The album's one of those great ones from Adams – in which he's really let loose to open up and blow some extended, imaginative solos – the kind of open-ended baritone sax romps that few (if any) other players could do this well! The rhythm section kicks with just the right sort of energy for the tunes – Jimmy Rowles on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Billy Hart on drums – and titles include "Trentino", "Urban Dreams", "Three Little Words", "Dexter Rides Again", and "Time Is On My Hands". CD

A gem of a session from both players – and one of the long-lost sides on the short-lived Metrojazz label from MGM! Adams and Knepper head up a soulful group that features Wynton Kelly on piano (and a bit of organ!), Doug Watkins on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. The real charm, though, is from Adams' solos, which are in that perfect gutbuckety mode that he could hit when he wanted to – a deep, dark drink the best tone the bari could offer, never getting clumsy at all, thanks to some lively rhythm playing. It's another one of those amazing sets recorded on a single date in NYC! Titles include "Minor Catastrophe", "Riverside Drive", All Too Soon", "Beaubien, "Primrose Path", and "Adams In The Apple". CD

An excellent session that stands as one of both players' strongest from the time! Baker's really opening up here, moving more into that hardbop mode of the late 50s – and Pepper's already hit his stride here – with the pair of them working in a group that includes Phil Urso on tenor, Carl Perkins on piano, Curtis Counce on bass, and Larry Marable on drums. The whole set's got that west coast cool crossover to hardbop feel that you'd get on Baker's Chet Baker And Crew set – thanks to fire from the rhythm section, and a sharp edge from Urso. Tracks include "Minor Yours", "Tynan Time", "For Miles & Miles", "CTA", and "Picture Of Heath". CD

Baritone madness, and a lot more too – a set that's full of surprises, and which may well be one of the most striking records on the Beehive label from Chicago! The date not only features twin terrors on baritone sax – Nick Brignola and Pepper Adams, both blowing at the height of their powers – but it also includes a very unusual group of players alongside them – modern giant Ted Curson on trumpet and flugelhorn, avant bassist Dave Holland, incredible drummer Roy Haynes, and British pianist Derek Smith. The unlikely meeting of players comes off wonderfully here – and most tracks are nice and long, with lots of blowing session room for solos! Tracks include "Billie's Bounce", "Donna Lee", "Marmeduke", "Alone Together", and "Body & Soul". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the best recordings that Donald Byrd and Pepper Adams ever did together! The material here was recorded for the short-lived Warwick label in the early 60s – with a tight tight rhythm section that includes Jimmy Cobb on drums, Laymon Jackson on bass, and a very young Herbie Hancock on piano. Herbie kicks ass on his solos – and Byrd and Adams are very tight, with none of the clunkiness that sometimes mars their other work. The set includes a killer version of "Mr LuckyTheme", plus the tracks "Out Of This World", "Bird House", "It's A Beautiful Evening", and "Curro's". LP, Vinyl record album

Some of the best recordings that Donald Byrd and Pepper Adams ever did together! The material here was recorded for the short-lived Warwick label in the early 60s – with a tight tight rhythm section that includes Jimmy Cobb on drums, Laymon Jackson on bass, and a very young Herbie Hancock on piano. Herbie kicks ass on his solos – and Byrd and Adams are very tight, with none of the clunkiness that sometimes mars their other work. The set includes a killer version of "Mr LuckyTheme", plus the tracks "Out Of This World", "Bird House", "It's A Beautiful Evening", and "Curro's". CD

The pairing of Donald Byrd on trumpet and Pepper Adams on baritone was a really wonderful one – a duo who didn't last that long on record, but made some really killer work that's featured here! The set's overflowing with goodness – tracks that appeared on the albums Chant, Royal Flush, The Creeper, Cat Walk, Byrd In Hand, and Off To The Races! CD

A lesser-known set by Art Pepper from his late 70s years – recorded among a quartet of "friends" who include Russ Freeman on piano, Bob Magnussen on bass, and Frank Butler on drums! The tracks are longish, and mostly older standards – and overall, Pepper's a bit more inside than on some of his other 70s sessions – blowing with a tone that takes us nicely back to the old days, but which is fleshed out by some of the deeper feelings he brought to his sound in the 70s. There's less of the searing long runs here, and more of the crisp lines that first made Art great – coupled with some introspection that's an especially great quality of the record. Titles include "Blue Bossa", "Among Friends", "Round Midnight", "What Is This Thing Called Love", "What's New", "Besame Mucho", and "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You". CD

A late live set – recorded in Los Angeles in 1981, with a combo that fetaures George Cables on piano, David Williams on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums! All titles are nice and long – and tracks include "Samba Mom Mom", "Allen's Alley", "But Beautiful", and "For Freddie". LP, Vinyl record album

Great stuff by Art Pepper – originally issued only on tape, and kind of lost in his catalog – and like many albums of his 50s work released after the fact, this one almost blows away some of his best known records! The material was recorded in 1957, and was only ever issued on pre-recorded tape by the Omega Tape Company, so it's one of the rarest 50s sessions by Pepper. The set's got a harder groove than most of his record on Contemporary – which is great with us, because we can finally hear the emotion and tone that Pepper is always credited with, but which doesn't always show up on record. The group's a small one, with Ben Tucker on bass, Chuck Flores on drums, and the late LA bopper Carl Perkins on piano. Titles include "Surf Ride", "Begin The Beguine", "Holiday Flight", "Webb City", and "Too Close For Comfort". CD also features 2 previously unissued bonus tracks – "Blues Rock" and "Rock Blues". CD

A legendary album from alto genius Art Pepper – a set in which he meets up with the famous Miles Davis rhythm section of the time – Red Garland on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums – a trio of players who really help send the album over the top! There's maybe a bit more of a crackle in the rhythms here than on some of Art's other 50s records – which makes for a classic meeting of east and west coast scenes, and some especially nice raspy lines from Pepper – delivered at that level that always made his music of this period so nicely complex – outwardly cool, but with some seething energy at the core. Titles include a definitive take on Art's classic "Straight Life" – plus "Waltz Me Blues", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", and "Star Eyes". LP, Vinyl record album

Tracks include "Smack Up", "Tin Tin Deo", "You'd Be Nice To Come Home To", "Gettin' Together", "Mambo Koyama", "Prisoner", and "Over The Rainbow". CD

The title says "Garden State", but the material's from California – but we'll forgive the producers of the CD for that, given that they don't live in the US! Disc 1 features a really unusual 70s recording from Art Pepper – quite different than most of his better-known work from the time! The group alone is enough to indicate the unusual quality of the set – as it's larger than usual, with a great lineup that includes Harold Land and Buddy Collette on tenor, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, and Butch Lacy on electric piano – all coming together with a magically free-flowing and soulful sound – recorded in San Diego in 1975. The presence of the electric piano touches the set with a nice degree of electricity – but the real energy comes from the fantastic horn interplay, stretching out nicely over the album's 3 long tracks. Titles include "Blue's Blue", "Milestones", and "Over The Rainbow". Disc 2 features Art Pepper playing at a 1975 tribute to Charlie Parker, recorded in Pasadena with a lineup that includes Joe Albany on piano, Roy Porter on drums, Sahib Shihab on baritone sax, and Harry Babasin on bass. That quintet of players is enough to get our interest on this one – and we've got to say that the blend of baritone and alto is really great – and handled here with an open-blowing spirit that really keeps our imagination up on the set's long interpretations of Parker classics. The sound quality is a bit "live", but the quality of the solos shines through tremendously – and titles include "Groovin High", "All The Things You Are", "Ornithology", and "Donna Lee" – all over 10 minutes in length! This material was previously available on 2 separate, expensive Japanese CDs – now out at a nice low price! CD

Revelatory work from the great Art Pepper – presented here in a complete package for the first time ever. In Pepper's later years, his live dates were often more mindblowing than his studio sessions – especially when the tape was rolling over a long stretch, as was the case over the three nights of recordings presented here! Art's on alto, in a tight group with George Cables on piano – arguably one of his most sensitive accompanists in these years – plus David Williams on bass and Carl Burnett on drums – a lineup that remains firm through the seven sets of music captured in this collection. The package features 42 performances, including 23 performances that appear here for the first time ever, plus bits of banter and other between-song conversation – all wrapped up in a box with a 44 page booklet of notes. Titles include "For Freddie", "Without A Song", "Road Waltz", "Mambo Koyama", "Allen's Alley", "Begin The Beguine", "Landscape", "Valse Triste", "But Beautiful", "Roadgame", "For Freddie", "Donna Lee", "Samba Mom Mom", "Yours Is My Heart Alone", and "Arthur's Blues". CD

A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. CD

Some of the best Art Pepper work you'll ever find! This 2LP set is filled with tracks that were originally cut for Savoy Records during the time of Art's Surf Ride album for that label, but which were lost on the cutting room floor for years. Pepper's tone is fantastic – with more of an edge than usual, kind of a raspy soulful quality that you don't find in some of his other work, especially those slicker overrated sessions that most consider "classic". We love this material, and this LP is the first time this material has seen the light of day. There's a number of alternate takes, but don't worry, because they're worth hearing, and often have very different solos. Titles include "Everything Happens To Me", "Art's Oregano", "What's New", "Thyme Time", "Nutmeg", "Suzy The Poodle", and "Straight Life". LP, Vinyl record album

A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – on titles that include "But Beautiful" and "Caravan", plus two Pepper tunes "Labyrinth" and "Las Cuevas De Mario". CD

Art's blowing with a quiet intensity here – not as far out as you might expect from the title, but with that crisp genius that still graced all of his records from the time! The album features a quartet with Dolo Coker on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass, and Frank Butler on drums – working in a format that gives Art center stage, blowing with a slightly raspy tone that still always sends chills up our spine! There's a maturity here that we really like – that later Contemporary mode that has Pepper breaking things down a bit more than usual, and showing a bit more humanity in his horn. Titles include "Too Close For Comfort", "Gone With The Wind", "Long Ago & Far Away", and "I Love You". CD also features the bonus track "Five Points". CD

Features material from the sessions for So In Love and New York Album. CD

A really smoking live set from Art Pepper – recorded quite late in his too-short career, and a great reminder that he still had plenty to offer us when he left the planet! The tracks are all very long, and Art's a masterful soloist throughout – blowing with the sort of non-stop energy and creative vision used on some of his famous expanded live dates from the final years – including the Vanguard sessions box set! Yet there's also maybe even more bite here – a very intense approach a times, driven strongly by a trio that features Milcho Leviev on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Al Foster on some especially strong drums. Titles include "Goodbye", "Red Car", "What Is This Thing Called Love", and "Make A List Make A Wish". CD

A really smoking live set from Art Pepper – recorded quite late in his too-short career, and a great reminder that he still had plenty to offer us when he left the planet! The tracks are all very long, and Art's a masterful soloist throughout – blowing with the sort of non-stop energy and creative vision used on some of his famous expanded live dates from the final years – including the Vanguard sessions box set! Yet there's also maybe even more bite here – a very intense approach a times, driven strongly by a trio that features Milcho Leviev on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Al Foster on some especially strong drums. Titles include "Goodbye", "Red Car", "What Is This Thing Called Love", and "Make A List Make A Wish". CD

An excellent 70s side from Art Pepper – recorded with a West Coast rhythm section that includes Hampton Hawes, Charlie Haden, and Shelly Manne! The trio all play here with a remarkable intensity, given the date of the session – and although the production's got that later, crisper Contemporary tone, it still lets Art's horn come through beautifully! Pepper's singular voice and beautiful phrasing are still intact, and the quartet cooks nicely on half a dozen numbers, mostly Pepper originals – "Ophelia", "Here's That Rainy Day", "What Laurie Likes", "Mr Yohe, "Lost Life", and "Samba Mom-Mom". CD features 1 bonus track! CD

An excellent 70s side from Art Pepper – recorded with a West Coast rhythm section that includes Hampton Hawes, Charlie Haden, and Shelly Manne! The trio all play here with a remarkable intensity, given the date of the session – and although the production's got that later, crisper Contemporary tone, it still lets Art's horn come through beautifully! Pepper's singular voice and beautiful phrasing are still intact, and the quartet cooks nicely on half a dozen numbers, mostly Pepper originals – "Ophelia", "Here's That Rainy Day", "What Laurie Likes", "Mr Yohe, "Lost Life", and "Samba Mom-Mom". LP, Vinyl record album

One of the greatest West Coast jazz LPs of all time! Art Pepper plays beautiful spiralling alto lines with a tight quartet that includes Russ Freeman on piano, Chuck Flores on drums, and Ben Tucker on bass. The whole thing swings in a way that's tough to find on some of Pepper's other albums from the time, and the track list includes "Dianne's Dilemma", "Blues In", "Blues Out", and "Cool Bunny". CD

A record that marks the live recording debut of the alto giant Art Pepper – quite a surprise, given that he'd already had many years of playing under his belt – but also a date that captures Art at a time of real revival in his career – stretching out with new inspirations, and a sound that's very different from the Art Pepper of the 50s and 60s! The group features George Cables on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums – on titles that include "No Limit", "These Foolish Things", "More For Les" and "Over The Rainbow". CD