I’ll Remember April (Art Pepper’s version)

Art Pepper (alto sax), Russ Freeman (piano), Bob Magnusson (bass) and Frank Butler (drums). From the album Art Pepper Among Friends (1978).

This is a popular song and standard jazz written by Gene de Paul and lyrics by Patricia Johnston and Don Raye. It was first played in 1942 in the film Ride ‘Em Cowboy. An outstanding version is that of Erroll Garner that appears on his album Concert by the See. Nowadays few pianists take Garner into account and it is a pity because a young musician could develop a great style using his tricks and techniques.

Gardner’s version contains esoteric introductions that disguise the song, dynamic changes in unexpected junctures, percussive left-hand chords and a peculiar way of swinging his phrases that make them more cheerful than is usually played in modern jazz. Musicians normally perform the theme at medium-fast tempo, while singers sing it more slowly.

After a long introduction, Pepper exposes the theme quickly and confidently and then goes on to make his solo full of energy and vitality. His phrases are ambitious and daring, combining good taste and imagination. Magnusson follows playing at full speed with a discourse with plenty of melodic surprises. Then Pepper comes back to exchange solos of two bars with butler full of dynamism and after re-exposing the theme he continues to play some phrases fading out.