Art Pepper: Omega Alpha Blue Note Classic 1980 release

	A$		32
	$		21

Art Pepper: Omega Alpha Blue Note Classic

This was the first (1980) release of this 1957 album in the US, on the Liberty/Blue Note Classic label, LT 1064 . Appears to be a MONO pressing.

The music on this Blue Note LP has always been somewhat obscure. Originally released by Omegatape only on pre-recorded tapes, it did not make its debut on an American LP until this 1980 album came out. It was a strange twist of fate, for the music for altoist Art Pepper (who was in one of his prime periods) was in top form throughout the date, playing "Surf Ride," "Webb City" and five familiar standards with pianist Carl Perkins, bassist Ben Tucker and drummer Chuck Flores. Highlights include "Surf Ride," "Fascinatin' Rhythm" and "Body and Soul." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Largely self-taught through intensive listening, Pepper began jamming and sitting in on Central Avenue, Los Angeles’s home of black jazz and the West Coast’s answer to New York’s 52nd Street. In 1941 the Ritz Club and the Club Alabam were the places to be as the blooming altoist jammed and sometimes earned money playing with the likes of trumpeters Louis Armstrong and Roy Eldridge, bassist Jimmy Blanton, alto stylist Johnny Hodges, and tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon. Gordon introduced the upstart to drummer Lee Young, brother of tenor legend Lester "Prez" Young. The drummer served as a mentor and eventually introduced Pepper to Benny Carter, the legendary saxophonist and bandleader.

Pepper recalls his 1943 experience in the Carter band in his autobiography, Straight Life: "I had never played much lead alto, so with Benny I played second alto, he played lead, but in my book I had two parts written in most of the arrangements and sometimes, if there wasn’t a large audience, Benny would just get off the stand and let me play his parts. I’d get all his solos. I learned that way how to play lead in a four-man saxophone section. And I learned a lot following Benny, listening to his solos, what he played against the background." With a southern tour pending, Carter decided not to take the promising white musician with his "colored" band. Instead, Carter arranged for Pepper to audition successfully with the upcoming Stan Kenton band, for whom Art began playing lead alto at age 17. Kenton’s highly stylized arrangements convinced Pepper that he needed to know more about theory and chord structure in order to solo effectively. Kenton’s tenorman, Red Dorris, provided help at this stage of Pepper’s development.

Though he had been a sickly and weak child, Pepper developed into a strong and handsome teen-ager. Virtually unsupervised and becoming street-wise, he began fighting, drinking, and experimenting with a variety of "soft" drugs, largely ignoring school. In mid-1943, while working his way through the bands of Gus Arnheim, Young, and Carter, the 17-year-old Art Pepper married his 16-year-old girlfriend, Patti Moore. While with Kenton, Pepper received his draft notice shortly after his eighteenth birthday and was inducted into the army in February of 1944. Just before going overseas, where he served as both a musician and as an unlikely member of the military police, Pepper became a father for the only time. His daugher, Patricia Ellen, was born on on January 5, 1945.

Through much of 1947, after his discharge, Pepper struggled for jobs and dug deeper into drinking and drugs. Kenton, with whom Pepper had made his first recording in 1943, summoned, and from that point until the end of 1951 the altoist was a featured soloist with the band that spawned an all-star list of jazz greats, including trumpeters Maynard Ferguson and Shorty Rogers, trombonists Kai Winding and Milt Bernhart, saxophonists Bob Cooper and Bud Shank, and drummer Shelly Manne. It was during this on-the-road period that Pepper—lonely, insecure and musically unsatisfied at times—became addicted to heroin, a substance that would dominate his life until about 1969.

A1   Surf Ride

A2   Body And Soul

A3   Too Close For Comfort

A4   Summertime

B1   Fascinatin' Rhythm

B2   Begin The Beguine

B3   Webb City

Art Pepper (alto sax) is featured with Carl Perkins (piano), Ben Tucker (bass) and Cluck Flores (drums).

CONDITION:

SLEEVE:  Strong VG++  Rubberstamp of previous owner on inner paper sleeve.

RECORD:  Strong VG++, sounds great with some minor noise on run-ins. After that, the music dominates.

RECORD GRADINGS

(May be further qualified by + or - )

M = Mint

Must be in perfect condition with no audible or visible defects whatsoever. The record and cover/sleeve should be exactly as brand new.

NM = Near Mint

Almost mint but has one or two minor visible marks on the cover/sleeve or surface with sound quality remaining perfect.

EX = Excellent

Not quite perfect. There may a slight chance of minor deterioration in sound quality. The cover/sleeve may show slight wear.

VG = Very Good

The surface and cover/sleeve shows visible signs of wear due to the fact that it has been played on a regular basis. There will be some audible surface noise but it will not effect the listening experience.

G = Good

The sound quality has deteriorated due to having been played often. The cover/sleeve and surface will show considerable signs of wear and tear with some possible damage.

F = Fair

Has been neglected, but is still playable. There will be major audible defects such as loud clicks or jumping. The cover/sleeve maybe badly damaged.

P = Poor

Technically playable, but with serious deterioration in condition and sound quality. The cover/sleeve will be badly damaged.

VP = Very Poor

In terrible condition and absolutely unplayable. Would only be of use as a last resort to complete a collection.

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TOS current 8 June, 2010