Art Pepper, one of the major bop altoists to emerge during the '50s, started his comeback with this excellent set, Living Legend. After 15 years filled with prison time and fighting drug addiction,
Pepper was finally ready to return to jazz. Accompanied by three of his old friends (pianist
Hampton Hawes, bassist
Charlie Haden and drummer
Shelly Manne),
Pepper displays a more explorative and darker style than he had previously. He also shows a greater emotional depth in his improvisations and was open to some of the innovations of the avant-garde in his search for greater self-expression. Although this recording would be topped by the ones to come, the music (five
Pepper originals and an intense version of "Here's That Rainy Day") is quite rewarding. ~ Scott Yanow