Cool Blues: Art Pepper And Charlie Haden

Solid, Jackson. My father arrived in Los Angeles in 1956. One night he was at Tiny Naylor’s on Hollywood and La Brea and introduced himself to bassist Red Mitchell. Red and Charlie became friends. Red introduced Charlie to saxophonist Art Pepper, then recommended Charlie to Art when Red couldn’t make a gig. Art subsequently hired Charlie for his quartet.Art Pepper began his career in the early 1940s with Benny Carter and Stan Kenton. He soon became, along with Charlie Parker, one of the most sought-after saxophonists in jazz. His career was sidelined by prison stints for drug offences, and by extended stays in rehabs. Charlie was one of the first people to work with Art after he returned to the studio in 1975.Pepper Jam +1 was released in 2009 on the Interplay label from Japan. According to the liner notes, the track you’re about to hear was recorded live in concert in Pasadena, California, March 29, 1975. Art and Charlie are joined by Anthony Ortega, alto sax, Zoot Sims and Harold Land, tenor sax, Bobby Hutcherson, vibes, Barney Kessel, guitar, Victor Feldman, piano, and Billy Higgins, drums.Read Art Pepper’s autobiography, Straight Life, published in 1979. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshhaden.substack.com/subscribe