To celebrate the Centenary of the 1925 birth of one of the greatest ever alto saxophone players, the American, Art Pepper, the UK’s most awarded, highly rated #1 alto saxophone maestro, Alan Barnes, brings his mighty quintet to Dean Street, to play, in his most inimitable style, the Works Of Art.
JBGB Events invited Alan to pen a few words to describe his affection for, and appreciation of Art Pepper. We can say nothing better for our audience to describe this wonderful concert, than to share Alan’s’ comments verbatim.
“Art Pepper first came into my life when I was around 15, through a double album entitled “Art Pepper - Discoveries”, recorded in the early ‘50’s. I’d never heard of him. It had a painting of a good looking young man with an alto saxophone on the cover and lots of the titles were named after herbs and spices- “Art’s Oregano”, “Thyme Time”, “Cinnamon”, “Nutmeg” – it seemed strange and exotic; I though at the time, perhaps it was something to do with his being called “Pepper”.
The alto sax playing sprang out of those LPs. It was so clear, virtuosic and accurate - a beautiful, fresh, full of life sound that danced over the time in a light and subtle, yet intensely probing way. There was a lonely, yearning quality to his playing on the ballads that really reached out to the listener. I’d heard many of the world’s greatest saxophonists on records, and still loved them, but from that moment one thing was clear: for me, that was how the alto saxophone should be played.
A handful of years later I saw Art Pepper at Ronnie Scott’s club, playing with his quartet with Milcho Leviev on piano. The first shock was the different sound of the saxophone. It was darker and thicker in tone with a new emotional depth to it. His lines were sometimes shorter, broken and angular- he would find a set of notes and really worry them, then break free into long darting phrases that ran effortlessly through the changes. The beautiful clarity, tuning and stunning double timing were still there, but when the music reached a certain, almost frightening, emotional intensity and there seemed nowhere else to go, he would move right out there- playing free, spitting out distorted notes in a furious passion. The ballads were raw and tender. I’ve never seen anyone more involved or determined.
These two different periods of the same musician’s life were separated by years of drug and alcohol addiction and lengthy stays in prisons and a drug rehabilitation centre. However harrowing these experiences, and however long he was off the scene, Art always played superbly well in a series of “come-backs” throughout his life. His final re-emergence, beginning in 1977, really gathered momentum, producing some of the finest playing of his career and gaining him the worldwide recognition that he had always sought. Art continued to perform until he was stricken with a cerebral haemorrhage and died in June of 1982.
Art’s compositions should be part of any jazz study syllabus. The up tempo numbers are very witty, articulate and hip and often based on the chord sequences of standards. Here we have “Chili Pepper” on “Tea For Two”, “Miss Who” on “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Straight Life” on “After You’ve Gone”. His ballads are always beautiful vehicles for expression and his Latin and groove tunes are timeless and very much bring to mind his home city of Los Angeles. He really excelled at playing on simple harmonic vamps such as “Mambo Koyama” and the 5/4 “Las Cuevos De Mario”.
It’s been a real pleasure to continue studying and playing the music of Art Pepper.
Mary Paich, Art’s friend and collaborator on many albums, seemed to sum up the essence of the man:
“You know, there’s honest musicians and there’s dishonest musicians. Let me clarify that: An honest musician plays with his heart and soul and gives his all, all the time. And then there’s the dishonest musician who plays, and gives you his all, but not all the time. It’s like a racehorse. When Art plays, it’s all, all the time. I never heard him lay back at any time, and that, to me, is an honest musician. And there aren’t too many of them in the entire world”.
Alan Barnes 2025
Here’s a flavour of what is in store, with the evocative sound, tone and phrasing of Art Pepper playing “Winter Moon”. Just wonderful.
“This Works of Art Concert promises to be one of the standout London Jazz Concerts of 2025” – The Hoste of Jazz
Joining Alan for this Works of Art concert are award winning musicians of the highest standing and reputation.
Alan Barnes alto saxophone and clarinet,
James Davison trumpet,
Robin Aspland piano,
Jeremy Brown double bass and
Steve Brown drums
Doors 6.30pm
Music 8pm
Tickets £30