Artist page · 04/07/2026

Art Pepper

GardenaBorn in 1925Bebop14 vinyl albums
Art Pepper, born September 1, 1925, in Gardena, California, was a prominent alto saxophonist in the cool jazz and bebop styles, active mainly during the 1950s and beyond. His work is rooted in West Coast jazz.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
14Albums on Vinyles.com
1438Discogs releases
344kLast.fm listeners

About

15 vinyl records including key 1957 and 1963 albums; original US pressings sought after by collectors.

Art Pepper established himself as a leading alto sax player primarily associated with bebop, cool jazz, and post-bop genres. His discography includes significant studio albums and compilations, with recordings spanning from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. His legacy is marked by notable collaborations and compelling improvisations within the jazz idiom, reflected in numerous releases on labels such as Contemporary Records, Blue Note, and Galaxy.

The vinyl marketplace offers a range of original and reissued pressings, with several albums like "The Return Of Art Pepper" (1957) and "Intensity" (1963) standing out for their collector interest.

Discography

Art Pepper discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Darn That DreamRealTime Records · 1982
1982
Darn That Dream
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Goin' HomeGalaxy · 1982
1982
Goin' Home
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
RoadgameGalaxy · 1982
1982
Roadgame
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Winter MoonGalaxy · 1981
1981
Winter Moon
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
One September AfternoonGalaxy · 1981
1981
One September Afternoon
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Besame Mucho / Art Pepper Live In TokyoJVC · 1981
1981
Besame Mucho / Art Pepper Live In Tokyo
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Ballads By FourGalaxy · 1981
1981
Ballads By Four
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Omega AlphaBlue Note · 1981
1981
Omega Alpha
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Thursday Night At The Village VanguardContemporary Records · 1980
1980
Thursday Night At The Village Vanguard
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
So In LoveArtists House · 1980
1980
So In Love
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Friday Night At The Village VanguardContemporary Records · 1980
1980
Friday Night At The Village Vanguard
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Birds & BalladsGalaxy · 1980
1980
Birds & Ballads
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Saturday Night At The Village VanguardContemporary Records · 1980
1980
Saturday Night At The Village Vanguard
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
The Late ShowXanadu Records · 1980
1980
The Late Show
Vinyl, LP, Album, Remastered, Mono
Studio
Landscape - Art Pepper Live In Tokyo '79JVC · 1979
1979
Landscape - Art Pepper Live In Tokyo '79
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Straight LifeGalaxy · 1979
1979
Straight Life
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
TodayGalaxy · 1979
1979
Today
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
No LimitContemporary Records · 1979
1979
No Limit
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Among FriendsInterplay Records · 1978
1978
Among Friends
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Art Pepper Plays Shorty Rogers & OthersPacific Jazz · 1978
1978
Art Pepper Plays Shorty Rogers & Others
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The TripContemporary Records · 1977
1977
The Trip
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Living LegendContemporary Records · 1976
1976
Living Legend
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Early ShowXanadu Records · 1976
1976
The Early Show
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
...The Way It Was!Contemporary Records · 1972
1972
...The Way It Was!
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
IntensityContemporary Records · 1963
1963
Intensity
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Gettin' Together!Contemporary Records · 1960
1960
Gettin' Together!
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Mr. EasyRCA · 1960
1960
Mr. Easy
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Art Pepper + Eleven (Modern Jazz Classics)Contemporary Records · 1960
1960
Art Pepper + Eleven (Modern Jazz Classics)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
PlayboysWorld Pacific Records · 1958
1958
Playboys
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Mucho Calor (Much Heat)Andex · 1958
1958
Mucho Calor (Much Heat)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm SectionContemporary Records · 1957
1957
Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The Art Pepper QuartetTampa Records · 1957
1957
The Art Pepper Quartet
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Free WheelingVanguard · 1957
1957
Free Wheeling
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Return Of Art PepperJazz: West · 1957
1957
The Return Of Art Pepper
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
CollectionsIntro Records · 1957
1957
Collections
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
The Art Of PepperOmegatape · 1957
1957
The Art Of Pepper
Reel-To-Reel, 7 ½ ips, ¼", 2-Track Stereo, 7" Cine Reel, Album
Studio
Just FriendsPacific Jazz · 1957
1957
Just Friends
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Marty Paich QuartetTampa Records · 1956
1956
Marty Paich Quartet
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Straight Ahead Jazz Vol. TwoStraight Ahead Jazz ·
Straight Ahead Jazz Vol. Two
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Straight-Ahead Jazz Volume OneStraight Ahead Jazz ·
Straight-Ahead Jazz Volume One
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Art Pepper's career.

01
You Go to My Head
You Go to My Head
The Return Of Art Pepper · 1957
02
You'd Be so Nice to Come Home To
·
03
Four Brothers
·
04
Straight Life
·
05
Imagination
·
06
Red Pepper Blues
·
07
Waltz Me Blues
·
08
Patricia
Patricia
The Return Of Art Pepper · 1957

The essentials

The 3 Art Pepper albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1957
Mono LP
The Return Of Art Pepper

A pivotal 1957 album that captures Pepper's early post-prison resurgence with a blend of cool jazz and bop on Contemporary Records.

10 tracksMono pressingLabel: Jazz: WestCatalog no: JWLP-10
Discover the album
#2 · 1960
Stereo LP
Gettin' Together!

This 1960 album showcases Pepper's evolution with bop and cool jazz infused tracks on Contemporary Records, available in mono and stereo editions.

7 tracksStereo pressingLabel: Contemporary RecordsCatalog no: S7573
Discover the album
#3 · 1963
Stereo LP
Intensity

Intensity presents a mix of cool and post-bop jazz from 1963, emphasizing Pepper's expressive alto saxophone on Contemporary Records.

7 tracksStereo pressingLabel: Contemporary RecordsCatalog no: S7607
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Art Pepper

Artists who share part of Art Pepper's musical DNA.

Dexter Gordon
Dexter Gordon
Cannonball Adderley
Cannonball Adderley
Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Hank Mobley
Hank Mobley
Sonny Rollins
Sonny Rollins
Frank Morgan
Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Art Pepper

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"Art Pepper was one of the most expressive alto saxophonists of the West Coast jazz scene."
— Jazz critics
01Pressing

Original 1957 US pressing of 'The Return Of Art Pepper'

The original US mono pressing on Jazz: West from 1957 (catalog JWLP-10) has a want/have ratio of 2.7:1 with only 4 copies currently for sale, marking it as a sought-after collector's item.

1957US
02Studio Session

Recording of 'Intensity' in 1963

'Intensity' was recorded and released in 1963 on Contemporary Records, offering 7 tracks blending post-bop and cool jazz styles that highlight Pepper's nuanced alto saxophone mastery.

1963US
03Vinyl Pressings

Multiple pressings for 'Gettin' Together!' in 1960

The album 'Gettin' Together!' was released in mono and stereo formats in 1960 on Contemporary Records, with catalog numbers M3573 for mono and S7573 for stereo, impacting collector preferences.

1960US
04Live Album

Notable live recordings in Tokyo, 1979

Art Pepper recorded live albums in Tokyo in 1979, including 'Landscape' and 'Besame Mucho,' capturing his later performance style and expanding his international legacy.

1979Tokyo

Records by Art Pepper

See all
The Return Of Art Pepper - Front Cover

The Return Of Art Pepper

Art Pepper
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
From $22.99 1 offer
Surf Ride - Front Cover

Surf Ride

Art Pepper
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $26.59 2 offers
An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert - Front Cover

An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert

Art Pepper
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Elemental Music
From $39.98 2 offers
Modern Art - Front Cover Modern Art - Front Cover

Modern Art

Art Pepper
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
BLUE NOTE
From $38.98 2 offers
Intensity - Front Cover

Intensity

Art Pepper
Bebop Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $27.62 1 offer
Gettin' Together - Front Cover

Gettin' Together

Art Pepper
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
CONCORD RECORDS
From $27.62 1 offer
ART OF ART - Front Cover

ART OF ART

Art Pepper
Bebop Jazz/Blues
RED RECORDS
From $41.09 2 offers
STARDUST - Front Cover

STARDUST

Art Pepper
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
ADA UK
View details
+ Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics - Front Cover

+ Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics

Art Pepper
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
BLUE NOTE
From $22.93 1 offer
Meets The Rhythm Section - In Transparent Yellow Virgin Vinyl. - Front Cover

Meets The Rhythm Section - In Transparent Yellow Virgin Vinyl.

Art Pepper
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
Intermusic
From $24.29 1 offer
The Artistry Of Pepper - Front Cover

The Artistry Of Pepper

Art Pepper
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
Intermusic
From $80.58 1 offer
MEETS THE RHYTHM SECTION/PEPPER - Front Cover

MEETS THE RHYTHM SECTION/PEPPER

Art Pepper
Bebop Jazz/Blues
Jazz Images
From $26.64 1 offer
Playboys - Front Cover

Playboys

Chet Baker
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details
TRIP/PEPPER - Front Cover

TRIP/PEPPER

Art Pepper
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
Contemporary
View details
LIVING LEGEND/PEPPER - Front Cover

LIVING LEGEND/PEPPER

Art Pepper
Jazz / Blues Compilations Compilations
Contemporary
View details
Baker Chet / Pepper Art / Playboys - Front Cover

Baker Chet / Pepper Art / Playboys

Chet Baker
Contemporary Jazz / Cool Jazz/Blues
Intermusic
View details

CDs by Art Pepper

Search all Art Pepper CDs
Everything Happens To Me: 1959 - Live At The Cellar - Front Cover

Everything Happens To Me: 1959 - Live At The Cellar

Art Pepper
Free Jazz Jazz/Blues
CD OMNIVORE RECORDINGS
From $90.99 1 offer
An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert - Front Cover

An Afternoon in Norway: The Kongsberg Concert

Art Pepper
Blues Jazz/Blues
CD ELEMENTAL MUSIC
From $21.85 2 offers

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who was Art Pepper and what style did he play?

Art Pepper was an American alto saxophonist known for bebop, cool jazz, and West Coast jazz styles mainly active in the 1950s and 60s.

What are the essential Art Pepper vinyl albums to collect?

Key albums include 'The Return Of Art Pepper' (1957), 'Gettin' Together!' (1960), and 'Intensity' (1963), each available in notable pressings and reissues.

When was Art Pepper born and where?

He was born on September 1, 1925, in Gardena, California, USA.

What labels released Art Pepper vinyl records in the US?

Contemporary Records, Jazz: West, Galaxy, and Blue Note are among the primary labels releasing Art Pepper's vinyl in the United States.

How to identify an original pressing of 'The Return Of Art Pepper'?

Look for the 1957 US mono pressing on Jazz: West with catalog number JWLP-10; it is a recognized original pressing sought by collectors.

What are the top Art Pepper tracks on vinyl?

Tracks like 'You Go to My Head,' 'Straight Life,' and 'You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To' are popular on vinyl and feature his distinctive alto sax playing.

Are Art Pepper vinyl records available in France?

Some pressings and reissues are available in France, often through European distributors or specialized jazz shops carrying Blue Note and Concord releases.

Where can I find Art Pepper's live jazz vinyl recordings?

Live albums recorded in Tokyo in 1979 and later can be found on vinyl, often released by labels like JVC and Galaxy, showcasing his live performance energy.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026