Jazzcourier, what an appropriate name. For Gerry Mulligan to sat in awe of Pepper Adams was indeed high praise.
I've been enjoying Pepper's music for years without knowing it. Always a person on the go and in a hurry, I would buy an album by "Mingus" for example, and never check the sidemen. On "Blues & Roots" by Charles Mingus, ( he never liked to be called "Charlie"), that fantastic solo on "Moanin", is none other than Pepper Adams. On "A Night In Tunisia", from Lee Morgan's album, "The Cooker", that intro, that's too tough for words, is Pepper. This is without a doubt, one of the best versions of "A Night In Tunisia" ever recorded. The fact that he was a "sideman" with the very best jazz musicians of his time, is a testament to his awesome talents on the baritone.
Although the best jazz musicians are no longer with us, thanks to people like you who can recommend the treasures they left behind, and the fact that they left so many treasures, that I'll run out before the treasures run out, is good to know.
Enjoy the music.