Art Pepper

Despite a difficult and troubled life, Art Pepper was one of the greatest sax players of the jazz era, widely regarded as second only to Charlie Parker. From Gardena, California, he began his career during the 1940s playing with Benny Carter and Stan Kenton. His career was marred by long battles with heroin addiction, which also resulted in several spells in prison; although one term in San Quentin prison in the mid-1960s resulted in him forming a fine ensemble with another saxophonist Frank Morgan and the quality of his playing seemed unaffected by his various problems. These were all detailed in his 1980 autobiography Straight Life and a documentary film Art Pepper: Notes From A Jazz Survivor, which resulted in his music being discovered by a new generation before he died following a stroke in 1982. Highlights of his career included early work with Stan Kenton's big band, memorable solos with the Buddy Rich big band in the late 1960s and the albums Goin' Home (with George Cables) and Winter Moon, with a string orchestra.