Among Friends

Art Pepper (alto sax), Russ Freeman (piano), Bob Magnusson (bass) and Frank Butler (drums). From the album Art Pepper Among Friends (1978).

Art Pepper was an American alto saxophonist who played West Coast jazz. At 17, he started working professionally with Benny Carter and then gained prestige with Stan Kenton’s big band before doing his military service. When he returned he joined the Kenton Innovations Orchestra, although at that time he became addicted to heroin. In the 1950s he was recognized as one of the best alto saxophonists and was able to develop his own sound despite the tremendous influence of Charlie Parker.

He recorded numerous albums both as a leader and a studio musician, highlighting Art Pepper Meets the Rythm Section, Art Pepper + Eleven, Getting Together and Smack Up. He was imprisoned for drug possession from 1953 to 1956 and upon his release from prison he returned to music, but further arrests during the 1960s ended his career. However, in 1975, with the help of his wife, he played even better than before. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1982 at 56 years of age.

The rhythm section makes an introduction and then Pepper enters to expose the theme, which is a blues. He begins his solo with security and introducing naughty phrases in a land very familiar to him. Freeman follows him with a very bluesy speech using occasionally fast phrases, but in a balanced way. Then Pepper exchanges four-bars solos with Freeman and then with Butler until the group re-exposes the theme.