The late saxophonist
Jim Pepper
remains an enigma for some, a profoundly original player for others, and criminally unknown by most, even those in the
jazz
listening community.
Pepper
, who passed away in 1992, was of Native American descent -- Kaw and Creek Indian. He and
Larry Coryell
were in a band together in 1968,
the Free Spirits
, who were fooling with
and
rock
before
Miles Davis
was; indeed, before
Tony Williams Lifetime
were.
had been using Native American indigenous
folk
music in his own
compositions from the middle of the '60s when he was encouraged to do so by
Ornette Coleman
Don Cherry
. As of 2007, he has no recordings in print in the United States save for this reissue by
Wounded Bird
of his debut album as a leader. Signed to
Atlantic
by
Herbie Mann
, who is listed as executive producer of
Pepper's Pow Wow
,
set about recording his best known composition,
"Witchi-Tai-To,"
which has been recorded by
Ralph Towner
Oregon
Jan Garbarek
Julian Priester
, and many others. Assisting
in the studio were, in addition to producer
Daniel Weiss
Coryell
, alternating bassists
Chuck Rainey
Jerry Jemmott
, pianist
Tom Grant
Spider Rice
or
Billy Cobham
on
"drums,"
and flutist and then wife
Ravie Pepper
. Because of its clean, immediate production provided by
Weiss
is as timeless in the 21st century as it was in 1971. The first recording of
"Witchi-Tai-To"
is here, in its initial rendering as a
chant
by a religious peyote tribe giving way to a transcendent
melody that is carried on piano, electric wah wah guitar, shakers,
Cobham
's tom tom heavy drum kit, and
's vocal before he ever blows a note. Over seven minutes in length, it's moving, beautiful, sweet and very powerful.
understood something of
soul
music as well as
. As the band begins to open itself up, the refrain -- the sung words of the
in an original melody by
-- becomes hypnotic, full of drifting, lilting flutes lines and some of the most elegant piano
Grant
ever played.
Rainey
support
to the gate. When
begins to blow, there is so much emotion and celebration packed into his delivery it can still bring chills decades later. This version of the song is, in its way, superior to the version on the excellent
Comin' and Goin'
album released by
Antilles
in the '80s with
fronting the
Kenny Werner
band. If this was the only song on this record and it lasted for 45 minutes it wouldn't be too long. But, as fortune would have it, there is so much more here:
"Squaw Song,"
with gorgeous guitar, flute, and piano work with
Jemmott
Rice
as the rhythm section provides a different backdrop for
. He sings a
, and then blows some of the most spiritual and deep
soul-jazz
saxophone of all time. Rhythm is circular and graceful and
Ravie
's flute is as compelling as
Jim
's saxophone work.
"Senecas (As Long as the Grass Shall Grow),"
written by famed Native American songwriter
Peter LaFarge
-- who was a profound but often uncredited influence on people like
Bob Dylan
Johnny Cash
-- is a
country
song (hearing
play
electric guitar and
play that snare and hi hat shuffle is a trip). The tune is narrated by
's father
Gilbert "Gib" Pepper
.
Arif Mardin
arranged
"Yon a Ho,"
written by
Gib
, with
singing and blowing and a huge band behind the group complete with a horn section. It gives way to the
"Slow War Dance,"
done by
on drums and chants, with
playing flutes.
arranged a wild version of the traditional
"When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder,"
called here
"Nommie Nommie,"
where
blows on tenor and soprano,
plays his best
honky tonk
piano and
offers his own rendition of a simulated steel guitar, but it's got plenty of
. The entire tune just roils and boils and grooves. The
"Newly Wed Song"
is haunting, sultry, and utterly beguiling with
's funky C-flute solo, as are the two dance and
numbers
"Fast War Dance"
"Now War Dance,"
and the
LaFarge
closer
"Drums,"
another
burner with
, and
accompanying
. So, while
is not strictly a
record, nor is it a
record or a
record, it is something far greater than merely the sum of those things. It is the first recorded articulation for the majority of Americans -- even if they didn't hear it. That it is now available again, on compact disc, it is hoped that those who have been under
's sway since his passing will investigate it, as well as those young people investigating exotic
forms in the new century and those who have followed the careers of the others involved in making this record.
deserves far more recognition than he received for all that he put in, and still does. ~ Thom Jurek