For those unaware, at the time of this recording in 1980, Art Pepper had been a mainstay in the world of jazz for nearly four decades. Starting out as a young player in his teens, he accompanied acclaimed artists Benny Carter and Stan Kenton.

From there, his collaborators read like a who’s who list of 20th century greats. His solo career, however, was legendary. It’s impossible to talk jazz saxophone without the name Art Pepper in the mix. Through his life, troubled as it may have been, one thing was always a constant — his music.

As evidenced by 2023’s acclaimed The Complete Maiden Voyage Recordings, a 7-CD testament to his effortless playing recorded months before his passing, Art Pepper never disappointed, instead, he thrilled and beguiled audiences around the world.

This just-released 2CD set entitled Geneva 1980 collects 10 performances recorded July 5th, 1980 at the New Morning in Geneva, Switzerland. Backing Art on alto saxophone were Milcho Leviev on piano, Tony Dumas on bass, and Carl Burnett on drums. A set of almost all originals left the crowd astounded.

Disc 1:
1. Ophelia
2. Mambo Koyama
3. Patricia
4. Miss Who
5. I’ll Remember April (inc)

Sliding the first lush disc into the tray, closing it, and then sitting back into a comfy chair with a bourbon on the rocks readily accessible, first up is the emphatically cultured, wholly impassioned Ophelia which is followed by a gloriously heartfelt, 15 minute Mambo Koyama, a simply divine, elegantly sumptuous Patricia, and then we get the uptempo and fervent Miss Who, the first disc rounding out on the upbeat swing sounds incorporated within the pulsating I’ll Remember April (inc).

Disc 2:
1. Blues For Blanche
2. Valse Triste
3. Make A List (Make A Wish)
4. Goodbye
5. Blues For Les

Swapping out the discs, and with Art noticeably exhilarated by the rowdy, ravenous crowd appreciation to all he was bringing forth, next up we get the rousing finger snapper Blues For Blanche which is in turn backed seamlessly by the more dulcet fare of Valse Triste, the 17 minute musical wonderment that is Make A List (Make A Wish) (and where each musician seems to play their respective instruments with a big smile), the set closing on the languishing beauty of both Goodbye and the aptly-titled, low slung Blues For Les.

Available as a double-CD, and Digitally, Geneva 1980 shows that Art Pepper never stopped creating, performing, entertaining, and solidifying his place as one of the jazz greats. Hear why.

Official Purchase Link