About

A TAV Curator’s Pick.

“Art Pepper + Eleven is a 1960 jazz big band album by saxophonist Art Pepper performing under the direction and arrangements of Marty Paich. The recording is one of several dates Pepper made with Paich and his big band in 1959 and is the only one with Pepper as leader. The recording focuses on big band arrangements of modern jazz classics by Marty Paich, including Denzil Best's "Move," Thelonious Monk's "’Round Midnight," Gerry Mulligan's "Walkin' Shoes". Highlights of the recording are Pepper's clarinet performances on "Anthropology" and the alternate takes of “Walkin'." - Wiki

“Only a handful of jazz recordings can be described as truly classic. Art Pepper + Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics is a member of that handful. Recorded between March and May 1959, + Eleven has the distinction of being excellent on multiple planes. One is Pepper himself. A journeyman multi-reedist who was already a veteran of big bands lead by Gus Arnheim, Benny Carter, and Stan Kenton, Pepper was reaching his first pinnacle as an artist when + Eleven was recorded.

This recording falls chronologically between Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section and Gettin' Together in the Contemporary catalog. This trilogy alone would have established Pepper's reputation as the finest post-Parker alto saxophonists, let alone all of his exceptional comeback recordings of the late '70s and early '80s that followed a decade of incarceration because of Pepper’s well known heroin addiction. Pepper's tone during this period was dry ice-cool, very expressive and brilliant.” - All About Jazz

“This is a true classic. Altoist Art Pepper is joined by an 11-piece band playing Marty Paich arrangements of a dozen jazz standards from the bop and cool jazz era. Trumpeter Jack Sheldon has a few solos, but the focus is very much on the altoist who is in peak form for this period. Throughout, Pepper sounds quite inspired by Paich's charts which feature the band as an active part of the music rather than just in the background. Highlights of this highly enjoyable set include "Move," "Four Brothers," "Shaw Nuff," "Anthropology," and "Donna Lee," but there is not a single throwaway track to be heard. Essential music for all serious jazz collections.” – AllMusic

Tracklist:

Item description: