Thanks poppa for reminding us just how good Pepper was. I saw him once in the UK playing a small club with a local rhythm section. He was such a small guy, not much bigger than his horn which was in an absolutely filthy condition - bright green. But what a big sound he had - maybe he thought that if he cleaned his horn the sound would be diminished. Some musicians are like that. He never seemed to get his proper dues whilst Mulligan was around and it is perhaps only recently that he has been fully appreciated. I have a taped interview with him somewhere so I'll dig it out and put a link to it in the C-Box here.
Ya that interview would be excellent. Looking back, the one thing that has always bothered me was his role in the band with Donald Byrd. Rarely was it billed as a co-led group, it was always under Byrd's name. He really didn't get his due, even when it was right under his nose, ever so deserving. I felt that time hasn't done his legacy any favours, thus the mix. I still have a long list of excellent players left in this series. Players who are known to the faithful, but unknown to casual jazz fans.
nicely done, pc. I agree that it was a real shame he wasn't co-billed in the Donald Byrd group -- as someone who doesn't particularly love Byrd, I came to all those albums relatively late and was surprised at how Pepper's contributions had flown under my radar. Thank you for the excellent mix! Looking forward to more of them.
Thanks poppa for reminding us just how good Pepper was.
ReplyDeleteI saw him once in the UK playing a small club with a local rhythm section. He was such a small guy, not much bigger than his horn which was in an absolutely filthy condition - bright green. But what a big sound he had - maybe he thought that if he cleaned his horn the sound would be diminished. Some musicians are like that.
He never seemed to get his proper dues whilst Mulligan was around and it is perhaps only recently that he has been fully appreciated. I have a taped interview with him somewhere so I'll dig it out and put a link to it in the C-Box here.
Ya that interview would be excellent. Looking back, the one thing that has always bothered me was his role in the band with Donald Byrd. Rarely was it billed as a co-led group, it was always under Byrd's name. He really didn't get his due, even when it was right under his nose, ever so deserving. I felt that time hasn't done his legacy any favours, thus the mix. I still have a long list of excellent players left in this series. Players who are known to the faithful, but unknown to casual jazz fans.
ReplyDeleteJust great! What a sound, what ideas and execution. Love live Pepper!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Poppachubby, I agree with you, he was one the the three or four best Barytone of Jazz History ....... and a so kind man !
ReplyDeletenicely done, pc. I agree that it was a real shame he wasn't co-billed in the Donald Byrd group -- as someone who doesn't particularly love Byrd, I came to all those albums relatively late and was surprised at how Pepper's contributions had flown under my radar. Thank you for the excellent mix! Looking forward to more of them.
ReplyDelete