Few artists have embodied “the jazz life” like Art Pepper. The California bred alto saxist and clarinetist, who left this earth way too young over 30 years ago, had a life of fighting various demons while playing every note as if his life depended upon it. For the past number of years, his widow Laurie Pepper has been releasing material from various concerts that Art Pepper headlined, and this one at a jazz festival the Paul Masson Winery from 1976 finds him in vintage form. His tone is still warm with a hint of pungency, and he can hold his breath for long periods as demonstrated on his intro to “Here’s That Rainy Day.” The band of Smith Dobson/p, Jim Nichols/b and Brad Bilhorn/dr was his “Northern California” band which is also heard on the 1977 A Night In Tunisia album, and they sound authoritative and un-intimidated by the master. They deliver an intro to “Caravan” that explodes from the get-go, and Pepper rides it like a boogie boarder until finally letting loose on the melody. He displays his bop chops to perfection on “Straight Life” and his impeccable sense of style and timing on “Ophelia” and “Saratoga Blues,” while Dobson and Nichols get a chance to stretch out on “What Laurie Likes.” This is music from a guy that was like Van Gogh-you can tell what’s on his heart with every stroke, vulnerable to the bitter end. Classic sounds from a guy who refuses to be forgotten.
www.artpepper.net