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Art Pepper

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Art Pepper (1 September 1925 to 15 June 1982) was an American jazz musician, above all an alto saxophonist, born in Gardena, California. He had a rough childhood, with parents who were alcoholics, and grew up partly with his grandmother. He began on the clarinet at the age of nine and chose the alto saxophone at thirteen. At seventeen he played professionally with Benny Carter and then joined the orchestra of Stan Kenton. After the war he returned to Los Angeles. In the 1950s he was regarded as one of the best alto saxophonists, second only to Charlie Parker in a DownBeat readers' poll.

Music and breakthrough

Pepper belonged to West Coast jazz. His records from that time include Playboys in 1956, Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section in 1957, Surf Ride and The Return of Art Pepper in 1957, and Art Pepper + Eleven in 1959. Because of his heroin addiction he was in prison several times, including San Quentin, but his playing remained strong. In 1968 and 1969 he played in Buddy Rich's big band. After a methadone programme in the mid-1970s he toured Europe and Japan and recorded many albums for Galaxy Records, such as Living Legend and Art Pepper Today. He wrote his autobiography Straight Life, published in 1980, with his third wife Laurie.

Influence

Pepper was known for his emotionally charged playing and for several changes of style. He died of a stroke. His work shows how intense jazz can sound when the musician puts his own struggle into every song.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a ballad by Art Pepper, for example from Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, and notice the tone of his alto saxophone. Can you hear how he makes a single note tremble with feeling?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: ArtistsWest Coast jazz