Pepper's last European tour began on 18 May 1981 and was packed with dates, eighteen in the first month alone in northern Europe. Pepper 'was focused', recalls Laurie. "I loved touring with Art. All he did was play. He didn't have the time or energy to misbehave. Every gig was important to him'.
With the arrival of summer, the tour also touched down in Italy. The quartet had been modified and had taken on its final appearance with George Cables, whom Pepper had nicknamed 'Mr. Beautiful' for his piano playing, David Williams on double bass and Carl Burnett on drums.
Among the various stops on the programme, the one in Genoa included a concert as part of the Estate Jazz festival now in its fourth edition. The venue designated for the quartet's performance was the Villa Imperiale, a prestigious Renaissance residence located in the eastern part of the historic centre, in the San Fruttuoso district. The building, embellished with a splendid terraced garden, had been inaugurated back in 1502, hosting King Louis XII of France and his large retinue.
According to the testimony of those who were present, on the evening of 6 July 1981 Pepper appeared tired, physically exhausted. This was the impression the saxophonist often gave to those in front of him, at least until he started playing. Then everything was forgotten. An unexpectedly strong flow of energy emanated from that slender figure on stage. The music was animated by an extraordinary vitality and joy capable of overshadowing the wounds inflicted by a difficult life. Through music Pepper established a very strong emotional connection with the audience. "Art Pepper's genius was not under his control," declared Laurie. "He was like a chemical combination in a laboratory; his horrible childhood and his incredible musical gift, with his desire to communicate, were things he did with great success... For Art there was nothing better than being on stage. He lived for it. On tour he was spectacular and always managed to convey something, no matter what it was'.
The concert in Genoa testifies once again how well Pepper played in the last period of his life, perhaps better than he ever did.