Hot Pepper, Hot Club Of Detroit On JazzSet

by Becca Pulliam

Phil Woods called Pepper Adams (1930-86) "bebop down to his socks." Freddie Hubbard said he had a tone like "sawing logs." His nickname was "The Knife." Pepper Adams carved out a strong, edgy sound on the baritone sax — centered, fast, accurate, swinging. At the time, Gerry Mulligan was playing it cool on the big horn; Pepper Adams played hot.

Photo: David Tallacksen/WBGO, Gary Smulyan performs at the 2010 Detroit Jazz Fest.

After leaving Detroit for New York, Adams became a charter member of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra at the Village Vanguard. Gary Smulyan followed Pepper in the baritone chair of the successor to Thad-and-Mel — the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Smulyan had played in the Woody Herman Orchestra, and has gone on to record with strings. His latest album is High Noon: The Jazz Soul of Frankie Laine. Smulyan is full of ideas, like this Hot Pepper tribute to Adams with the keeper of the bebop flame, Detroit's Barry Harris, on piano. Harris plays a solo introduction to "Quiet Lady." Adams' twist was to call that sweet waltz "Quiet! Lady."

Note the riverboat that goes by the Waterfront Stage here in Detroit. It blows its whistle, and Smulyan blows back, in measure five of "My Shining Hour."
Personnel: Gary Smulyan, baritone sax; Barry Harris, piano; David Wong, bass; Rodney Green, drums.

Complete and Listen to on  >>  http://www.npr.org/2010/12/02/131751957/hot-pepper-hot-club-of-detroit-on-jazzset