Thursday 1 September 2022

Art Pepper born 1 September 1925

 

Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known for his emotionally charged performances and several stylistic shifts throughout his career, and was described by critic Scott Yanow as having "attained his goal of becoming the world's great altoist" at the time of his death. 

Art Pepper was born in Gardena, California, United States. His mother was a 14-year-old runaway; his father, a merchant seaman. Both were violent alcoholics, and when Pepper was still quite young, he was sent to live with his paternal grandmother. He expressed early musical interest and talent, and he was given lessons. He began playing clarinet at nine, switched to alto saxophone at 13, and immediately began jamming on Central Avenue, the black nightclub district of Los Angeles. 

At the age of 17, he began playing professionally with Benny Carter and then became part of the Stan Kenton orchestra, touring with that band until he was drafted in 1943. After the war, he returned to Los Angeles, and joined the Kenton Innovations Orchestra. By the 1950s, Pepper was recognized as one of the leading alto saxophonists in jazz, finishing second only to Charlie Parker as Best Alto Saxophonist in the DownBeat magazine Readers Poll of 1952. 

Along with Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, and Shelly Manne, and perhaps due more to geography than playing style, Pepper is often associated with the musical movement known as West Coast jazz, as contrasted with the East Coast (or "hot") jazz of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. 

Some of Pepper's best known albums from the 1950s are Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Art Pepper + Eleven – Modern Jazz Classics, Gettin' Together, and Smack Up. Other recordings from this time appear on The Aladdin Recordings (three volumes), The Early Show, The Late Show, Surf Ride, and Art Pepper with Warne Marsh (also issued as The Way It Was!), which features a session recorded with Warne Marsh. 

                              

His career was repeatedly interrupted by several prison stints stemming from his addiction to heroin, but Pepper managed to have several productive "comebacks". Remarkably, his substance abuse and legal travails did not affect the quality of his recordings. But he adopted  a harder tone influenced by John Coltrane that disturbed some of his longtime followers. He recorded with Buddy Rich in 1968 before getting seriously ill and rehabilitating at Synanon (1969-1971). He worked as a book-keeper before returning to music as a demonstrator for Buffet instruments in 1973. 

Art with Dexter Gordon

Art Pepper began his serious comeback in 1975 and the unthinkable happened. Under the guidance and inspiration of his wife Laurie, Pepper not only recovered his former form but topped himself with intense solos that were quite unique; he also enjoyed occasionally playing clarinet. He made some notable contributions film soundtracks, such as The Enforcer (1976)  and Heart Beat (1979). He toured Europe and Japan with his own groups and recorded many albums, mostly for Galaxy Records, a subsidiary of Fantasy Records., Pepper's later albums include Living Legend, Art Pepper Today, Among Friends, and Live in Japan. 

Art with wife Laurie

Pepper lived for many years in the hills of Echo Park, in Los Angeles. He became a heroin addict in the 1940s, and his career was interrupted by drug-related prison sentences in 1954–56, 1960–61, 1961–64, and 1964–65; the final two sentences were served in San Quentin. While in San Quentin, he played in an ensemble with saxophonist Frank Morgan. In the late 1960s, Pepper spent time in Synanon, a rehabilitation program that turned out to be a cult. 

His autobiography, Straight Life (1980, co-written with his third wife Laurie Pepper), discusses the jazz music world, as well as drug and criminal subcultures of mid-20th century California.. Soon after the publication of this book, director Don McGlynn released the documentary film Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor, discussing his life and featuring interviews with both Art and his wife Laurie, as well as footage from a live performance in a Malibu jazz club. Laurie Pepper also released an interview to NPR. 

Art Pepper with his last Quartet  1981

Pepper died of a stroke in Los Angeles on June 15, 1982, aged 56. He is interred in the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood. 

(Edited from Wikipedia, All Music & New Grove Jazz Dictionary)

7 comments:

boppinbob said...

For “Art Pepper – Seven Classic Albums (2013 Real Gone)” go here;

CD1 https://www.imagenetz.de/giuJQ

CD2 https://www.imagenetz.de/jC9yh

CD3 https://www.imagenetz.de/cSrUp

CD4 https://www.imagenetz.de/kr7Ky

Surf Ride - 1952
1-1 Tickle Toe 2:51
1-2 Chili Pepper 2:57
1-3 Susie The Poodle 3:11
1-4 Brown Gold 2:21
1-5 Holiday Flight 2:49
1-6 Surf Ride 3:07
1-7 Straight Life 2:45
1-8 Cinnamon 3:03
1-9 Thyme Time 3:22
1-10 The Way You Look Tonight 3:41
1-11 Nutmeg 3:08
1-12 Art's Oregano 3:04
Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section - 1957
1-13 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 5:24
1-14 Red Pepper Blues 3:37
1-15 Imagination 5:51
1-16 Waltz Me Blues 2:55
1-17 Straight Life 3:57
1-18 Jazz Me Blues 4:47
1-19 Tin Tin Deo 7:41
2-1 Star Eyes 5:11
2-2 Birk's Works 4:16
Mucho Calor - 1957
2-3 Mucho Calor 6:51
2-4 Autumn Leaves 3:03
2-5 Mambo De La Pinta 5:26
2-6 I'll Remember April 2:18
2-7 Vaya Hombre Vaya 3:18
2-8 I Love You 5:46
2-9 Mambo Jambo 3:45
2-10 Old Devil Moon 5:23
2-11 Pernod 3:53
2-12 That Old Black Magic 4:20
Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics - 1959
2-13 Move 3:24
2-14 Groovin' High 3:22
2-15 Opus De Funk 3:11
2-16 'Round Midnight 3:32
2-17 Four Brothers 2:56
2-18 Shawnuff 2:57
2-19 Bernie's Tune 2:43
3-1 Walkin' Shoes 3:30
3-2 Anthropology 3:17
3-3 Airegin 2:59
3-4 Walkin' 5:15
3-5 Donna Lee 3:20
Playboys (With Chet Baker) - 1959
3-6 For Minors Only 3:59
3-7 Minor Yours 6:40
3-8 Resonant Emotions 5:40
3-9 Tynan Time 5:30
3-10 Picture Of Health 6:43
3-11 For Miles And Miles 6:23
3-12 C.T.A. 5:08
Gettin' Together - 1960
3-13 Whims Of Chambers 6:56
3-14 Bijou The Poodle 5:59
3-15 Why Are We Afraid 3:36
4-1 Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 6:56
4-2 Rhythm-A-Ning 7:15
4-3 Diane 5:03
4-4 Gettin' Together 6:55
Smack Up - 1960
4-5 Smack Up 4:14
4-6 Las Cuevas De Mario 7:07
4-7 A Bit Of Basie 7:22
4-8 How Can You Lose 5:52
4-9 Maybe Next Time 4:21
4-10 Tears Inside 7:43
4-11 Solid Citizens 6:28


A big thank you to Denis for suggesting today’s birthday musician and for the loan of this box set.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Here’s my contribution…..

For “Art Pepper - Omega Sessions The Complete Master Takes (2005 Fresh Sounds)” go here:

https://www.imagenetz.de/iAYtf


01 Holiday Flight
02 Too Close For Comfort
03 Webb City
04 Surf Ride
05 Body And Soul
06 Bgin The Beguine
07 The Breeze And I
08 Without A Song
09 Fascinatin' Rhythm
10 Long Ago And Far Away
11 I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
12 Summertime
13 Blues Rock
14 Rock Blues

Art Pepper (alto saxophone)
Carl Perkins (piano)
Ben Tucker (bass)
Chuck Flores (drums)

This CD presents the complete master takes from the legendary 1957 "Omega Sessions". The first eleven tracks were originally marketed on two 7 1/2 ips reel-to-reel stereophonic tapes by the Omegatape label, between 1957 and 1958. "Summertime" was not issued until the early 1980's on Lp on the Nadja label in Japan. The two previously unreleased tracks appear here for the first time. However, both tracks are missing from the so-called "The Complete Art Pepper Aladdin Recordings" marketed by the Mosaic and Blue Note record labels. (Fresh Sound notes)

boppinbob said...

Below is a selected discography found on an old Jazz Forum. I have checked all the links and they actually work.
I have not downloaded any so once they’re gone they’re gone. As they are all free the price to pay is restricted downloads unless you are a registered member / or you use a VPN. So patience is a virtue (especially with the 9CD set) Have fun!


1950 to 1953 Art Pepper - Chili Pepper

https://my-files.su/Save/jc7jy4/Art%20Pepper%20-%20Chili%20Pepper%20(2001).rar


1950 to 1982 Art Pepper - The Art History Project: Unreleased Art, Vol 4

https://rapidgator.net/file/fb171efdf757e3596a073a75cf54322f/Art_Pepper_-_Unreleased_Art,_Vol_4.rar.html

1952 to 1957 Art Pepper & Sonny Redd - Two Altos

https://rapidgator.net/file/65997793c66c82ee69f662c2a31ac767/Art_Pepper_&_Sonny_Redd_-_Two_Altos_(1952_-_1957).rar.html

1956/57 Art Pepper - The Artistry Of Pepper

https://rapidgator.net/file/7beda8cfa52d145328bca7b5892275f2/Art_Pepper_-_The_Artistry_Of_Pepper_(1956-1957).rar.html

1956 Art Pepper & Ted Brown Featuring Warne Marsh - The Complete Free Wheeling Sessions

https://turbobit.net/5gwqgogll6oz.html

1956/57 Art Pepper - The Complete Pacific Jazz Small Group Recordings

https://turbobit.net/ho8hbdtx3tuu.html

1956/57 Art Pepper - Early Art

https://turbobit.net/mx5nop7s19xb.html

1957 Art Pepper - The Art Of Pepper: Omega Sessions

https://rapidgator.net/file/bde0ae1a6ed4498834b13fbb2e760ff1/Art_Pepper_-_Omega_Sessions_The_Complete_Master_Takes_(1957).rar.html

1960 Art Pepper - Intensity

https://rapidgator.net/file/b82e22cf8748c330fb906032a8265b91/Art_Pepper_-_Intensity.rar.html

1964 Art Pepper - Quartet '64 In San Francisco

https://rapidgator.net/file/b8efc6fe3ba3320e016366f8dbdf0655/Art_Pepper_-_Quartet_'64_In_San_Francisco_(1964).rar.html

1974 Art Pepper & Warne Marsh - Unreleased Art, Vol. 9

https://rapidgator.net/file/9729e973e4d7391f9329ef725b437122/Art_Pepper_&_Warne_Marsh_Unreleased_Art,_Vol._9_(1974).rar.html

1975 Art Pepper - Foxy Lady Session: Art, Warne, Buddy, Carol

https://rapidgator.net/file/f03ec04017e46b9977b7810169d77cc7/Art_Pepper_-_Foxy_Lady_Session.rar.html


1977 Art Pepper - The Complete Village Vanguard Sessions

CD1 - https://turbobit.net/cbpg7ww29c1h.html
CD2 - https://turbobit.net/y7q9ta0ilr2n.html
CD3 - https://turbobit.net/czzd096qwbst.html
CD4 - https://turbobit.net/fvstfe6i770p.html
CD5 - https://turbobit.net/sx94y89us9y7.html
CD6 - https://turbobit.net/7xsemhvaksko.html
CD7 - https://turbobit.net/9uaasntopo9h.html
CD8 - https://turbobit.net/3d8aik0vg61p.html
CD9 - https://turbobit.net/tuexyxdw9wg9.html

1977 Art Pepper - A Night in Tunisia

https://my-files.su/Save/qrteko/Art%20Pepper%20-%20A%20Night%20in%20Tunisia%20(1977).rar

1977 Art Pepper - Tokyo Debut

https://rapidgator.net/file/6f368137243b7488313c4023a8f6583f/Art_Pepper_-_Tokyo_Debut.rar.html

1977 Art Pepper - Unreleased Art Pepper Vol.10: Toronto

https://rapidgator.net/file/09339e3abb76a978592e381f7c9ace12/Art_Pepper_-_Unreleased_Art,_Vol.10-_Toronto.rar.html

1978 Art Pepper - Pasquale's Malibu California

https://rapidgator.net/file/92a5415de9b4c0ac3f66d0b0ba7bade2/Art_Pepper_-_Pasquale's_Malibu_California_(1978).rar.html

1978 Art Pepper - Live in Kobe

https://rapidgator.net/file/7edb85bf5958b8c9302920f7f3189233/Art_Pepper_Quartet_-_Live_in_Kobe_(1978).rar.html

1979 Art Pepper - New York Album

https://dfiles.eu/files/lkgl6l32o


1980 Art Pepper - Unreleased Art Pepper Volume Eleven: Atlanta

https://rapidgator.net/file/22e08f5c00c19179da77b719f6135d18/Art_Pepper_-_Unreleased_Art,_Vol_11_Atlanta.rar.html

1981 Art Pepper – Genova

https://turbobit.net/3cuex02m078u.html

1981 Art Pepper ‎– Art Lives

https://turbobit.net/acc4rrduor4l.html

1981 Art Pepper - The Complete Maiden Voyage Concerts

https://rapidgator.net/file/84c2689122512026bc18e84bdbbb5c2f/Art_Pepper_-_The_Complete_Maiden_Voyage_Concerts_(1981).rar.html

boppinbob said...

1981 Art Pepper - Neon Art: Volume Two

https://my-files.su/Save/3ougr8/Art%20Pepper%20-%20Neon%20Art.%20Volume%20Two%20(1981).rar

1981 Art Pepper - Neon Art: Volume Three

https://my-files.su/Save/xv877o/Art%20Pepper%20-%20Neon%20Art.%20Volume%20Three%20(1981).rar

1981 - Art Pepper - Roadgame

https://dfiles.eu/files/z4jktpd1i

1981 - Art Pepper Quartet - The Maiden Voyage Sessions Vol. 3

https://dfiles.eu/files/98gysrnn1

1981 Art Pepper - Live in Milan 1981

https://rapidgator.net/file/214dc3c69b2dbc49e203cee716112f11/Art_Pepper_-_Live_in_Milan_1981_(1981).rar.html

1996 Art Pepper - The Intimate Art Pepper

https://my-files.su/Save/reku2x/Art%20Pepper%20-%20The%20Intimate%20Art%20Pepper%20(1996).rar

2007 Art Pepper - Unreleased Art, Vol. II: The Last Concert May 30, 1982

https://rapidgator.net/file/b85c24184b2fe854d5e4da468904146b/Art_Pepper__Unreleased_Art_Vol._2_The_Last_Concert.rar.html

2010 Art Pepper - Unreleased Art, Vol 5: Stuttgart May 25, 1981

https://rapidgator.net/file/d1463c1208f7c987a39042d29bae81ad/Art_Pepper_-_Unreleased__Art_Vol_V.rar.html

thanksloads said...

Wow thanks for all the Art Pepper! Appreciated.

rev.b said...

Yikes! Gonna have to get a new hard drive! Thanks for the Pepper avalanche BB.

RiCK SAUNDERS said...

Terrific stuff, Bob. Thanks a millions. Bunches of Art I was missing. Cheers!

egroj.jazz said...

Great post!