What Is This Thing Called Love? (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 written in 1929 by Cole Porter for the musical Wake Up and Dream. Porter later stated that the title was the key to the whole composition, inspiring a disturbing melodic line. Music and words combined so easily that it was almost as if they had been written alone. Several groups recorded the tune in 1930. Artie Shaw had a great success with his 1938 version and Tommy Dorsey recorded it again in 1942. In this way it became a jazz standard performed by Art Tatum, Sidney Bechet, Nat King Cole and Billie Holiday.

Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie recorded Tadd Dameron’s “Hot House” based on “What Is This Thing Called Love?”. Lee Konitz borrowed the same chords for his “Subconscious-Lee” and Fats Navarro for his “Barry’s Bop”. Later, Bill Evans used Porter’s progression for his “These Things Called Changes”, as did John Coltrane for his “Fifth House”, although adding substitute harmonies in the process. The theme was also played by Dave Brubeck, Charlie Parker played it two years later with a big band and Charles Mingus also contributed his version.

After a short introduction by the rhythmic section, Pepper enters to expose the theme. He says he was a very monotonous person, but when love came through his window he felt happy. However, after being with him for a while, love flew again. What is this thing called love? He starts his solo at a good pace with witty phrases and full of creativity. Freeman follows him with a broad solo full of possibilities. Then Pepper returns to swap four-bar solos with Butler, who responds with different rhythmic patterns and the group finally re-exposes the theme.