The Jazz Thing, Round 1: Pepper v. Carter

The Jazz Thing, Round 1 (40 Word/Album Limit)


#60 Art Pepper – "Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section" (1957)  v.  #76 Benny Carter and His Orchestra – "Further Definitions" (1961)

Said to represent "West Coast Jazz," whatever that is or was.  Maybe that's why I'm drawn to it.  Very clean solo and ensemble playing.  A little smoky, which is bad in rooms and clothes but good in jazz.

---

And:

---

Extremely tight playing by a somewhat larger ensemble -- four saxophones.  Just the hint of a schmaltz factor.  Feels like it should be four years older than Art Pepper rather than the other way around.

---

Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section beats Further Definitions.