Popo

by Scott YanowThe recording quality is not the greatest on this 1980 LP but the very early session by the Lighthouse All-Stars is both historic and quite listenable. Trumpeter Shorty Rogers teams up with altoist Art Pepper, pianist Frank Patchen, bassist Howard Rumsey and drummer Shelly Manne for his own "Popo" (a blues that was Shorty's theme song) plus nine jazz standards including "Lullaby In Rhythm," "Robbins Nest," "Scrapple From The Apple" and "Cherokee." This is one of Pepper's best early showcases and it is for his playing that the album is most highly recommended.