In February, I posted about two superb Art Pepper albums remastered by Omnivore Records. The albums were originally recorded in Los Angeles for the Japanese Atlas label, with Pepper's featured guest artists listed as leaders so Pepper could wriggle around his contract at the time with Fantasy. One of those guests was Pete Jolly and the other was Sonny Stitt.
Two more in the Omnivore series have just been remastered and released. One features Pepper with alto saxophonist Lee Konitz, Mike Lang (p), Bob Magnusson (b) and John Dentz (d). The other is with trombonist Bill Watrous, Russ Freeman (p), Bob Magnusson (b) and Carl Burnett (d). The new reissues were co-produced by Pepper's wife, Laurie, who wrote the liner notes (available as part of the Amazon download), and Cheryl Pawelski, who has a heart for the past and ears for high sonic standards. The albums had originally appeared as High Jingo: Lee Konitz & His West Coast Friends (1982) and Funk 'N' Fun (1979). Both were part of the Atlas box set issued in 1997.
Remarkably, Pepper and Konitz had not recorded together prior to this 1980 session. It's fascinating to hear Konitz's dry tone up against Pepper's juicy reed, particularly on Pepper's High Jingo and Cherokee. There are two previously unreleased alternate takes on this one—'S Wonderful and Whims of Chambers.
Pepper and Watrous together is another interesting pairing, though slightly less dynamic. Watrous has a soft, insistent tone akin to Urbie Green's, and he frames Pepper's style well. Dig Just Friends, Angel Eyes and Pepper's Funny Blues. There are alternate takes of Funny Blues and Angel Eyes. [Photo above of Art and Laurie Pepper courtesy of Laurie Pepper]
As I mentioned in my earlier post on the Stitt and Jolly Omnivore reissues, it's a joy to hear Pepper remastered in his lyrical 1950s mode. A stroke of genius on Atlas's part.
Art Pepper died in 1982.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Art Pepper Presents "West Coast Sessions!" Vol. 3: Lee Konitz here.
You'll find Art Pepper Presents "West Coast Sessions!" Vol. 4: Bill Watrous here.
Both are available at Spotify.
JazzWax clips: Here's Konitz and Pepper playing A Minor Blues in F...
And here's Pepper and Bill Watrous playing Just Friends...
