Pepper Adams {Hard Bop, Bariton Sax}

Pepper Adams - Pepper Adams Quintet - 1957 (V.S.O.P. Records, 1987)







Genre: Hard Bop
Country: USA
Recording Date & Place: Jul 10, 1957
Original Release Date: Jul 12, 1957 (Vinyl LP, Mode, MOD-LP 112)
Reisue Release Date: 1987
Label: V.S.O.P..#5CD Mode 112
Type: reissue

Source: Render's collection
Ripped - Uploaded by: Musicgate

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Tracklist
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1. UNFORGETTABLE 6:22 (Gordon)
2. BAUBLES, BANGLES AND BEADS 8:29 (Wright-Forrest)
3. FREDDIE FROO 6.01 (Pepper Adams)
4. MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE 3:50 (Wood-Mellin)
5. MUEZZIN' 5:53 (Pepper Adams)

RECORDED: July 10, 1957, Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California.
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Personel
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Pepper Adams....................................baritone
Stu Williamson ...................................trumpet
Carl Perkins......................................piano
Leroy Vinnegar...................................bass
Mel Lewis........................................drums

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wrote on booklet
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The tidal wave that swept through the jazz world back in 1940 produced so many major ramifications in the art that we have only begun to explore its potential. New harmony and rhythm patterns are constantly under the scrutiny of the experimentalists, and, relatively speaking, new instruments are achieving legitimate stature in the field after years of uphill struggling. Riding on the crest of this renaissance is the baritone saxophone and young musicians like Pepper Adams.
Unlike other young jazz instrumentalists who had a variety of idols to choose from, Pepper and his baritone playing colleagues single out Harry Carney as the only salient standard in the entire jazz realm who gave form and definition to the role of the baritone in music. Although Harry was at one time virtually alone in the field, his strong leadership paved the way to startling innovations by his latter-day admirers.
This MODE recording is the first time Pepper has had an opportunity to display his talent with a group of his own choosing. Assisting him are four of the finest musicians in the country, all jazz individualists, but with a keen sense of ensemble unity. The rhythm team of Carl Perkins, Leroy Vinnegar and Mel Lewis produce an unswerving backstop for the horns, and trumpeter Stu Williamson has long since distinguished himself as an important cog in the sphere of modern trumpet.
Unforgettable — taken at a jaunty tempo, the ballad's melody line is scarcely disturbed in the opening chorus. Pepper has the first flight, followed by Stu in some very inventive passages. Likewise Carl Perkins before the group plays it out.
Baubles, Bangles and Beads — Certainly the longest side in the set, the familiar composition gets its quickest treatment to date. Pepper romps through several choruses with a biting attack, fading mid-way for Carl Perkins. Stu carries the proceedings further, leading to the 8's exchange with drummer Lewis.
Freddie Froo — Here's a Pepper Adams riff with plenty of blowing room. Stu Williamson is in the opening slot, Pepper follows, and Carl Perkins has a fling. Leroy and Mel build their own extension before the group unites to cap it.
My One And Only Love — The soulful baritone sound gives an added depth to this lovely melody. Pepper's solo work is featured exclusively.
Muezzin' — Another Pepper Adams riff, this time with a latin beat. Stu, Pepper and Carl have the aggregate blowing assignment with punctuating rhythm flowing throughout.
As is so often the case with young jazz men, Pepper Adams came to light with his dependable work in the Stan Kenton and Maynard Ferguson bands. In shaping his future plans Pepper will rely on the two fundamentals of musical success: practice and patience. His first recorded effort reflects the integrity of that formula.
JOE QUINN

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Review by Ron Wynn
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Pepper Adams ranked among modern jazz's finest baritone saxophonists. His mastery of the middle and lower registers and technical acumen enabled him to play the cumbersome baritone with a speed, facility, and style usually restricted to smaller horns. This '57 quintet date featured him in a more relaxed context with West Coast jazz types like trumpeter Stu Williamson and pianist Carl Perkins. Bassist Leroy Vinnegar added his famous "walking" lines and drummer Mel Lewis provided a steady, smooth rhythmic pace, while Adams contributed two originals and did three standards in his usual impeccable fashion.

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