D Section
Art Pepper
A rare film clip of Art Pepper in 1964
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For Art Pepper, 1961-74 were the lost years, a period when his drug problems and erratic personal life kept him out of the recording studios.
Pepper made a few brief comebacks during this time, including leading a quartet in 1964.
This version of his “D Section” from May 9, 1964, is taken from Ralph Gleason’s Jazz Casual television series and features Pepper taking an adventurous solo.
During this period, Pepper was influenced by John Coltrane and added a wider range of sounds to his playing, with the musical results, as shown here, reaching beyond bop despite often swinging.
Personnel:
Art Pepper, alto
Frank Strazzeri, piano
Fred Marshall, bass
Bill Goodwin, drums
– Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald