New York, NY (Top40 Charts) In 2012, Omnivore Recordings issued a series of unreleased music from jazz legend Art Pepper on colored vinyl. Now Omnivore, in conjunction with Laurie Pepper and Widow's Taste Music, proudly offer these landmark recordings on CD and digital.
The jazz alto saxophonist, who was born in Covina, Calif. in 1925 and died in Los Angeles in 1982, placed second only to Charlie Parker in Downbeat magazine's Readers Poll in 1952. Considered one of the pioneers of West Coast jazz, Pepper began his career on L.A.'s Central Avenue, a hotbed of black music, blues, and swing and made his name in Stan Kenton's Big Band. Pepper also collaborated with Hoagy Carmichael, Art Farmer, Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Johnny Griffin and led and recorded with his own ensembles. His career was repeatedly interrupted by prison stints related to his heroin addiction, but he embarked on comebacks each time, his superior level of musicianship never compromised. He co-authored his autobiography titled Straight Life: The Story of Art Pepper, with his wife, Laurie.
Neon Art: Volume One contains two tracks recorded at Parnell's in Seattle, Wash., in 1981, with Art accompanied by Milcho Leviev (piano),
David Williams (bass), and Carl Burnett (drums). "Red Car," originally released on 1977's The Trip, appears in a stunning 17-minute version, while "Blues for Blanche," first heard on 1980's So in Love, sees the original version expanded to 18 minutes. Street date for Volume One is February 17, 2015.
Neon Art: Volume Two includes three tunes drawn from the unissued performances of his 1981 tour of Japan. The album features Art's composition "Mambo Koyama," as well as his very personal and soulful rendition of the classic "Over the Rainbow" and the bebop workout "Allen's Alley." The band on Volume Two, which also appears on Volume Three, is composed of
George Cables, piano;
David Williams, bass; and Carl Burnett, drums. Volume Two hits the streets March 10.
Neon Art: Volume Three features three more tunes drawn from the unissued performances of his 1981 tour of Japan. Pepper funky originals "Make a List (Make a Wish)" and "Arthur's Blues" are joined by the standard "Everything Happens to Me," which has previously been recorded by
Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. Release date is April 7.
"Art hated the idea that people put jazz in a pigeonhole. He wanted to make people forget the categories and 'make them open up and listen'," says Laurie Pepper. The release of these three albums of previously unissued Art Pepper recordings, now available in all configurations, will allow anyone the ability to 'open up and listen.'
The three albums, now available on CD and digital, as well as in their original colored vinyl, form an entry point into the multifaceted, colorful world of Art Pepper.
Track Listings:
Neon Art: Volume One
1. Red Car (16:52)
2. Blues for
Blanche (17:57)
Neon Art: Volume Two
1. Mambo Koyama (18:39)
2. Over the
Rainbow (14:37)
3. Allen's Alley (9:17)
Neon Art: Volume Three
1. Make a List (Make a Wish) (24:41)
2.
Everything Happens to Me (8:36)
3. Arthur's Blues (10:29)
