Intensity

Personnel: Art Pepper (alto saxophone); Dolo Coker (piano); Jimmy Bond (bass); Frank Butler (drums).
Recorded at Contemporary Records, Los Angeles, California on November 23 & 25, 1960. Includes liner notes by Lester Koenig.
Originally released on Contemporary (7607).
Art Pepper was one of the most talented alto saxophonists of his generation, always exploring new ground within the limits of tonality. In essence, he was the photo negative to the emerging avant-garde movement of the early 1960s. Instead of seeking harsh dissonance or harmonic discord, Pepper sought to invoke greater beauty in his music.
Pepper's tunes tended to revolve around exquisite melodies and lyrical solos, and INTENSITY is no exception. The saxophonist really shines on "Long Ago (And Far Away)," which is played at a break-neck speed. Conversely, his ballad rendition of "Come Rain or Come Shine" invokes the sadness of a lifetime. Only a player of Pepper's caliber could be versatile enough to enliven things so much on one track, and then reveal such heartbreak on another. This is why INTENSITY is very appropriately named. Note: This CD contains the Pepper-penned blues number "Five Points," an extra track not found on the original record.