Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics - Hybrid Stereo SACD

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.

Scott Yanow, AllMusic.com, 5/5 stars

Musicians
Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Charlie Kennedy & Herb Geller     alto saxophone
Med Flory     baritone saxophone
Joe Mondragon     bass
Mel Lewis     drums
Vince De Rosa     French horn
Russ Freeman     piano
Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca     tenor saxophone
Dick Nash     trombone
Al Porcino, Jack Sheldon, Pete Candoli     trumpet
Bob Enevoldsen     valve trombone, tenor saxophone

Selections

    Move
    Groovin' High
    Opus De Funk
    'Round Midnight
    Four Brothers
    Shaw 'Nuff
    Bernie's Tune
    Walkin' Shoes
    Anthropology
    Airegin
    Walkin'
    Donna Lee