Art Pepper
Encyclopedia
Art Pepper born Arthur Edward Pepper, Jr., was an American alto saxophonist and clarinetist.
About Pepper, Scott Yanow
of All Music
stated, "In the 1950s he was one of the few altoists (along with Lee Konitz
and Paul Desmond
) that was able to develop his own sound despite the dominant influence of Charlie Parker" and: "When Art Pepper died at the age of 56, he had attained his goal of becoming the world's great altoist."
. He began his career in the 1940s, playing with Benny Carter
and Stan Kenton
(1946–52). By the 1950s Pepper was recognized as one of the leading alto saxophonists in jazz, epitomized by his finishing second only to Charlie Parker
as Best Alto Saxophonist in the Down Beat
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 associated with the likes of Charlie Parker
, Dizzy Gillespie
and Miles Davis
. Some of Pepper's most famous albums from the 1950s are Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section
, Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics, Gettin' Together, and Smack Up
. Representative music from this time appears on The Aladdin
Recordings (three volumes), The Early Show, The Late Show, The Complete Surf Ride, and The Way It Was!, which features a session recorded with Warne Marsh
.
His career was repeatedly interrupted by the years he had to spend in jail because of his recurring legal transgressions, stemming from his addiction to heroin, but Pepper managed to have several memorable and productive "comebacks". Remarkably, his substance abuse and legal travails did not affect the quality of his recordings, which maintained a high level of musicianship until his death from a brain hemorrhage.
His last comeback saw Pepper, which had started his career in Stan Kenton
's big band, becoming a member of Buddy Rich
's Big Band from 1968 to 1969. In 1977 and 1978 he made two well received tours of Japan. During this period, he recorded two albums - Goin' Home with George Cables
, and Winter Moon with a string orchestra - which were among his favorites and which he considered his definitive achievements.
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 drug rehabilitation
group.
After beginning methadone
therapy in the mid-1970s, Art had a musical comeback and recorded a series of albums including Living Legend
, Art Pepper Today
, Among Friends, and Live in Japan: Vol. 2.
His autobiography
, Straight Life (1980, transcribed by his third wife Laurie Pepper), discusses the jazz music world, as well as drug and criminal subculture
s of mid-20th century California. Soon after the publication of this book, the 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 Malibu jazz club. Laurie Pepper also released an interview to NPR
.
Pepper died of a stroke in Los Angeles. He is interred in the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, CA.
Transcriptions available on the Internet:
, and "Funny Blues".
About Pepper, Scott Yanow
Scott Yanow
Scott Yanow is an American jazz commentator, known for many contributions to the Allmusic website, for writing ten books on jazz and for reviewing jazz recordings for over 30 years.-Biography:...
of All Music
All Music
All Music was an Italian free-to-air television station which mainly broadcast music videos and music programs. Originally called Rete A, the name was changed to Rete A - All Music , and for a brief period was affiliated before with MTV Italy and after with VIVA.-History:In late 2004 the former...
stated, "In the 1950s he was one of the few altoists (along with Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz is an American jazz composer and alto saxophonist born in Chicago, Illinois.Generally considered one of the driving forces of Cool Jazz, Konitz has also performed successfully in bebop and avant-garde settings...
and Paul Desmond
Paul Desmond
Paul Desmond , born Paul Emil Breitenfeld, was a jazz alto saxophonist and composer born in San Francisco, best known for the work he did in the Dave Brubeck Quartet and for penning that group's greatest hit, "Take Five"...
) that was able to develop his own sound despite the dominant influence of Charlie Parker" and: "When Art Pepper died at the age of 56, he had attained his goal of becoming the world's great altoist."
Career
Pepper was born in Gardena, CaliforniaGardena, California
Gardena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 58,829 at the 2010 census, up from 57,746 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gardena is located at ....
. He began his career in the 1940s, playing with Benny Carter
Benny Carter
Bennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King...
and Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
(1946–52). By the 1950s Pepper was recognized as one of the leading alto saxophonists in jazz, epitomized by his finishing second only to Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
as Best Alto Saxophonist in the Down Beat
Down Beat
Down Beat is an American magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond" to indicate its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois...
magazine Readers Poll of 1952. Along with Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
, Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
and Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne
Shelly Manne , born Sheldon Manne in New York City, was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, swing, bebop, avant-garde jazz and fusion, as well as contributing...
, and perhaps due more to geography than playing style, Pepper is often associated with the musical movement known as West Coast jazz
West coast jazz
West Coast jazz refers to various styles of jazz music that developed around Los Angeles and San Francisco during the 1950s. West Coast jazz is often seen as a sub-genre of cool jazz, which featured a less frenetic, calmer style than bebop or hard bop. The music tended to be more heavily arranged,...
, as contrasted with the East Coast (or "hot") jazz associated with the likes of Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
, Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
and Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
. Some of Pepper's most famous albums from the 1950s are Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section is a 1957 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, who at the time were the rhythm section for Miles Davis's quintet....
, Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics, Gettin' Together, and Smack Up
Smack Up
Smack Up is a 1960 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Jack Sheldon, Pete Jolly, Jimmy Bond and Frank Butler.Leonard Feather's sleeve notes include two quotes by Pepper which throw light on his approach to playing jazz:...
. Representative music from this time appears on The Aladdin
Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records was a post-World War II United States record label, with headquarters in Hollywood, California. The label was founded in 1945 by brothers Eddie, Leo, and Ira Mesner and was originally called Philo Records, before changing to its better-known name in April 1946.Aladdin Records...
Recordings (three volumes), The Early Show, The Late Show, The Complete Surf Ride, and The Way It Was!, which features a session recorded with Warne Marsh
Warne Marsh
Warne Marion Marsh was an American tenor saxophonist born in Los Angeles.-Biography:Marsh came from an affluent background: his father was the cinematographer Oliver T. Marsh , and his mother Elizabeth was a violinist...
.
His career was repeatedly interrupted by the years he had to spend in jail because of his recurring legal transgressions, stemming from his addiction to heroin, but Pepper managed to have several memorable and productive "comebacks". Remarkably, his substance abuse and legal travails did not affect the quality of his recordings, which maintained a high level of musicianship until his death from a brain hemorrhage.
His last comeback saw Pepper, which had started his career in Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
's big band, becoming a member of Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
's Big Band from 1968 to 1969. In 1977 and 1978 he made two well received tours of Japan. During this period, he recorded two albums - Goin' Home with George Cables
George Cables
George Andrew Cables is a jazz pianist, born November 14, 1944 in New York City.He has played with Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, and others.His own recordings include the 1980 Cables Vision with Freddie Hubbard among others....
, and Winter Moon with a string orchestra - which were among his favorites and which he considered his definitive achievements.
Personal life
Pepper lived for many years in the hills of Echo Park, in Los Angeles. He had become a heroin addict in the 1940s, and his career was interrupted by drug-related prisonPrison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
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
Synanon
The Synanon organization, initially a drug rehabilitation program, was founded by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich, Sr., in 1958, in Santa Monica, California, United States...
, a drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
group.
After beginning methadone
Methadone
Methadone is a synthetic opioid, used medically as an analgesic and a maintenance anti-addictive for use in patients with opioid dependency. It was developed in Germany in 1937...
therapy in the mid-1970s, Art had a musical comeback and recorded a series of albums including Living Legend
Living Legend (Art Pepper album)
Living Legend is a 1975 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Hampton Hawes, Charlie Haden and Shelly Manne.This was Art Pepper's 'comeback' album, the first to be released after his long absence due to drug addiction and incarceration in San Quentin prison...
, Art Pepper Today
Art Pepper Today
Art Pepper Today is a 1978 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes and Kenneth Nash.-Track listing:#"Miss Who" — 4:42#"Mambo Koyama" — 6:40...
, Among Friends, and Live in Japan: Vol. 2.
His autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, Straight Life (1980, transcribed by his third wife Laurie Pepper), discusses the jazz music world, as well as drug and criminal subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
s of mid-20th century California. Soon after the publication of this book, the director Don McGlynn released the documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
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 Malibu jazz club. Laurie Pepper also released an interview to NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
.
Pepper died of a stroke in Los Angeles. He is interred in the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood, CA.
Discography
As leader
- 1951 PopoPopo (album)Popo is a jazz album co-led by trumpeter Shorty Rogers and alto saxophonist Art Pepper, recorded in 1951.-Track listing:#"Popo " – 4:19#"What's New? " – 2:17#"Lullaby In Rhythm " - 5:22...
- w/ Shorty RogersShorty RogersMilton “Shorty” Rogers , born Milton Rajonsky in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played both the trumpet and flugelhorn, and was in demand for his skills as an arranger. Rogers worked first as a professional musician with Will Bradley and...
(Xanadu RecordsXanadu RecordsXanadu Records was a jazz music record label specializing in bebop throughout the 1970s and 1980s founded by Don Schlitten, recording and issuing recordings by some legendary names in jazz music.-Discography:...
) - 1952 The Early ShowThe Early Show (album)The Early Show is a jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper, recorded on February 12, 1952 for Xanadu Records as his first album as leader.-Track listing:#"How High the Moon"#"Suzy the Poodle"#"Easy Steppin'"#"Tickle Toe"#"Patty Cake"#"Move"...
(Xanadu RecordsXanadu RecordsXanadu Records was a jazz music record label specializing in bebop throughout the 1970s and 1980s founded by Don Schlitten, recording and issuing recordings by some legendary names in jazz music.-Discography:...
) - 1952 The Late Show (Xanadu RecordsXanadu RecordsXanadu Records was a jazz music record label specializing in bebop throughout the 1970s and 1980s founded by Don Schlitten, recording and issuing recordings by some legendary names in jazz music.-Discography:...
) - 1952 Surf Ride (Savoy)
- 1952 A Night at the Surf Club, Vol. 1 [live] (EPM)
- 1952 A Night at the Surf Club, Vol. 1 [live] (Xanadu)
- 1952 A Night at the Surf Club, Vol. 2 [live] (EPM)
- 1952 A Night at the Surf Club, Vol. 2 [live] (Xanadu)
- 1952 Art Pepper: Sonny Redd (Savoy)
- 1953 Art Pepper Quartet: Volume 1 (Time Is)
- 1954 Art Pepper Quintet (Discovery)
- 1956 Val's Pal (VSOP)
- 1956 The Art Pepper Quartet (Tampa/OJC)
- 1956 The Artistry of Pepper (Pacific Jazz)
- 1956 Art Pepper with Warne Marsh (Victor (aka The Way it Was! Contemporary))
- 1957 Show Time Japanese Import
- 1957 Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper Meets the Rhythm SectionArt Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section is a 1957 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, who at the time were the rhythm section for Miles Davis's quintet....
(Contemporary/OJC) - 1957 The Art of Pepper, Vol. 3 (Blue Note)
- 1957 The Art of Pepper, Vol. 1 (VSOP)
- 1957 The Art of Pepper, Vol. 2 (VSOP)
- 1957 Mucho Calor (Much Heat) (Andex/VSOP/TOFREC)
- 1958 The Art Pepper: Red Norvo Sextet (Score)
- 1959 Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics (Contemporary/OJC)
- 1959 Two Altos (Savoy)
- 1960 Gettin' Together (Contemporary/OJC)
- 1960 Smack UpSmack UpSmack Up is a 1960 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Jack Sheldon, Pete Jolly, Jimmy Bond and Frank Butler.Leonard Feather's sleeve notes include two quotes by Pepper which throw light on his approach to playing jazz:...
(Contemporary/OJC) - 1960 IntensityIntensity (Art Pepper album)Intensity is a 1960 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Dolo Coker, Jimmy Bond and Frank Butler. The album was released in 1963....
(Contemporary/OJC) - 1963 Pepper/Manne (Charlie Parker)
- 1964 Art Pepper Quartet in San Francisco (1964) [live] (Fresh Sound)
- 1968 Art Pepper Quintet : Live at Donte's 1968 (1968) [live] (Fresh Sound)
- 1975 Garden State Jam Sessions [live] (Lone Hill Jazz)
- 1975 I'll Remember April : Live at Foothill College (Storyville)
- 1975 Living LegendLiving Legend (Art Pepper album)Living Legend is a 1975 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Hampton Hawes, Charlie Haden and Shelly Manne.This was Art Pepper's 'comeback' album, the first to be released after his long absence due to drug addiction and incarceration in San Quentin prison...
(Contemporary/Original Jazz Classics) - 1976 The TripThe Trip (Art Pepper album)The Trip is a 1976 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with George Cables, David Williams and Elvin Jones.This album features The Trip, one of Art Pepper's own melodies written in 1963 while in San Quentin. Pepper likened jazz to the storytelling that took place between the prisoners. As...
(Contemporary/OJC) - 1977 A Night in Tunisia [live] (Storyville)
- 1977 No LimitNo Limit (Art Pepper album)No Limit is a 1977 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with George Cables, Tony Dumas and Carl Burnett.As Pepper says in the sleeve notes, he considered this album to be a memento of his friendship with Lester Koenig, who died on 21 November 1977.-Track listing:#"Rita-San" —...
(Contemporary/OJC) - 1977 Tokyo Debut [live] (Galaxy)
- 1977 Thursday Night at the Village Vanguard [live] (Contemporary/OJC)
- 1977 Friday Night at the Village VanguardFriday Night at the Village VanguardFriday Night at the Village Vanguard is a 1977 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with George Cables, George Mraz and Elvin Jones.Art Pepper played at the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York twice during 1977...
[live] (Contemporary/OJC) - 1977 Saturday Night at the Village Vanguard [live] (Contemporary/OJC)
- 1977 More for Les: at the Village Vanguard Vol. 4 [live] (Contemporary/OJC)
- 1977 San Francisco Samba: Live at Keystone Korner (Contemporary)
- 1977 The Gauntlet / Original Sound Track (Warner Bros.)
- 1978 Live in Japan, Vol. 1: Ophelia (Storyville)
- 1978 Live in Japan, Vol. 2 (Storyville)
- 1978 Among FriendsAmong FriendsAmong Friends is a 1978 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Russ Freeman, Bob Magnusson and Frank Butler.-Track listing:#"Among Friends" #"'Round Midnight" #"I'm Getting Sentimental Over You"#"Blue Bossa"...
(Discovery) - 1978 Art Pepper TodayArt Pepper TodayArt Pepper Today is a 1978 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Stanley Cowell, Cecil McBee, Roy Haynes and Kenneth Nash.-Track listing:#"Miss Who" — 4:42#"Mambo Koyama" — 6:40...
(Original Jazz Classics) - 1978 Birds and Ballads (Galaxy)
- 1979 So in Love (Artists HouseArtists House-Discography:...
) - 1979 New York Album (Original Jazz Classics)
- 1979 Artworks (Galaxy)
- 1979 Tokyo Encore [live] (Dreyfus)
- 1979 LandscapeLandscape (Art Pepper album)Landscape is a live 1979 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with George Cables, Tony Dumas and Billy Higgins.The album was recorded at Shiba Yubin Chokin Hall, Tokyo.-Track listing:#"True Blues" — 8:07...
[live] (Galaxy/OJC) - 1979 Straight LifeStraight Life (Art Pepper album)Straight Life is a 1979 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Tommy Flanagan, Red Mitchell, Billy Higgins and Kenneth Nash.Some versions have the bonus track "Long Ago And Far Away".-Track listing:#"Surf Ride" – 6:57...
(Galaxy/OJC) - 1980 Winter MoonWinter Moon (Art Pepper album)Winter Moon is a 1980 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Stanley Cowell, Howard Roberts, Cecil McBee, Carl Burnett and strings arranged and conducted by Bill Holman and Jimmy Bond .-Track listing:#"Our Song" –...
(Galaxy/OJC) - 1980 One September AfternoonOne September AfternoonOne September Afternoon is a 1980 jazz album by saxophonist Art Pepper playing with Stanley Cowell, Howard Roberts, Cecil McBee and Carl Burnett.The personnel is the same as on Pepper's previous album, Winter Moon, but minus the strings....
(Galaxy/OJC) - 1980 Blues for the Fisherman with Milcho Leviev Live at Ronnie Scott's London.(TAA/Mole)
- 1981 Art Pepper with Duke Jordan in Copenhagen 1981 [live] (Galaxy)
- 1981 Art Lives (Galaxy)
- 1981 Roadgame [live] (Galaxy/OJC)
- 1981 Art 'N' Zoot (WestWind)
- 1981 Arthur's Blues (Original Jazz Classics)
- 1982 Goin' Home (Original Jazz Classics)
- 1982 Tête-à-Tête (Galaxy/OJC)
- 1982 Darn That Dream (Real Time)
- 1991 Art in L.A. (WestWind) - 2 CD set of two different sessions in 1957 and 1960.
- 2006 Summer Knows (Absord) - Japanese release from earlier sessions
As a sideman
- 1956 Hoagy Sings Carmichael Pacific Jazz (with Hoagy CarmichaelHoagy CarmichaelHoward Hoagland "Hoagy" Carmichael was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing "Stardust", "Georgia On My Mind", "The Nearness of You", and "Heart and Soul", four of the most-recorded American songs of all time.Alec Wilder, in his study of the...
) - 1956 The Marty Paich Quartet featuring Art Pepper Tampa/VSOP (with Marty PaichMarty PaichMartin Louis "Marty" Paich was an American pianist, composer, arranger, producer, music director and conductor....
) - 1968 Mercy, Mercy Pacific Jazz (with Buddy RichBuddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
) - 1978: Birds and BalladsBirds and BalladsBirds and Ballads is a jazz album recorded under the leadership of Johnny Griffin, released in 1978.Players include Art Pepper, John Klemmer, Joe Farrell, Joe Henderson, Harold Land, and the rhythm section featuring Stanley Cowell, Roy Haynes, Cecil McBee and John Heard.Four of the album's eight...
(Johnny GriffinJohnny GriffinJohn Arnold Griffin III was an American bop and hard bop tenor saxophonist.- Early life and career :Griffin studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago under Walter Dyett, starting out on clarinet before moving on to oboe and then alto sax...
) - 1979 California HardCalifornia HardCalifornia Hard is a jazz album by pianist and composer Dolo Coker, recorded in 1976. Two of the six pieces were written by Coker. The album was reissued as a CD in 1994, with one bonus track .-Track listing:...
Xanadu RecordsXanadu RecordsXanadu Records was a jazz music record label specializing in bebop throughout the 1970s and 1980s founded by Don Schlitten, recording and issuing recordings by some legendary names in jazz music.-Discography:...
(with Dolo CokerDolo CokerCharles Mitchell “Dolo” Coker Charles Mitchell “Dolo” Coker Charles Mitchell “Dolo” Coker (November 16, 1927 – April 13, 1983 was a jazz pianist and composer who recorded four albums for Xanadu Records and extensively as a sideman, for artists like Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, Art...
) - 1979 Very R.A.R.E. Konnex Records (with Elvin JonesElvin JonesElvin Ray Jones was a jazz drummer of the post-bop era. He showed interest in drums at a young age, watching the circus bands march by his family's home in Pontiac, Michigan....
) - 1980 Blues For The Fisherman [Live] Mole (with Milcho LevievMilcho LevievMilcho Leviev is a Bulgarian composer, arranger, jazz performer and pianist.Milcho Leviev graduated from the State Academy of Music in 1960 majoring in Composition under Professor Pancho Vladigerov and in Piano under Professor Andrei Stoyanov...
) - 1980 True Blues [Live] Mole (with Milcho LevievMilcho LevievMilcho Leviev is a Bulgarian composer, arranger, jazz performer and pianist.Milcho Leviev graduated from the State Academy of Music in 1960 majoring in Composition under Professor Pancho Vladigerov and in Piano under Professor Andrei Stoyanov...
) - 1981 MistralMistral (album)Mistral is a studio album by jazz musician Freddie Hubbard released on the Liberty label which features performances by Hubbard, Phil Ranelin, Art Pepper, George Cables, Peter Wolf, Roland Bautista, Stanley Clarke, Peter Erskine and Paulinho da Costa....
(with Freddie HubbardFreddie HubbardFrederick Dewayne "Freddie" Hubbard was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles from the early 1960s and on...
) - 1982 Richie Cole And... Return to Alto Acres Palo Alto (with Richie Cole)
Transcriptions
Published Transcriptions:- Jazz Styles and Analysis: Alto Sax by Harry Miedema. Chicago, Fifth Printing, Feb . 1979. Includes Broadway.
- Straight Life: the Story of Art Pepper by Art Pepper and Laurie Pepper. New York and London, 1979. ISBN 0028718208. Includes the head of Straight Life.
- Jazz 2: Sax Alto. Transcribed by John Robert Brown. International Music Publications, Woodford Green, Essex, 1986. ISBN 0863594085. Includes Round Midnight.
- The Genius of Art Pepper. Foreword by Laurie Pepper. North Sydney, Warner/Chappell Music, 1987. ISBN 1863620125. Includes: Arthur's Blues; Blues for Blanche; Funny Blues; Landscape; Make a List Make a Wish; Mambo de la Pinta; Mambo Koyama; Mr Big Falls his J.G. Hand; Our Song; Road Game; September Song; Tete a Tete. All transcriptions include parts for Alto and Rhythm; Funny Blues also has a part for Trumpet.
- Masters of the Alto Saxophone Play The Blues. Jazz Alto Solos. Transcribed by Trent Kynaston and Jonathan Ball. Corybant Productions, 1990. Includes True Blues.
- The Art Pepper Collection. Foreword by Jeff Sultanof. Milwaukee, Hal Leonard, 1995. ISBN 0793540070. Includes: Art's Oregano; Diane; Landscape; Las Cuevas de Mario; Make a List (Make a Wish); Mr. Big Falls his J.G. Hand; Ophelia; Pepper Returns; Sometime; Straight Life; Surf Ride(I); Surf Ride(II); That's Love; The Trip; Waltz Me Blues.
- West Coast Jazz Saxophone Solos transcribed and edited by Robert A. Luckey, Ph.D. Features 15 recorded solos from 1952–1961, including five solos by Art Pepper. Olympia Music Publishing, 1996. ISBN 0966704711.
Transcriptions available on the Internet:
- Anthropology
- Birk's Works
- Groovin' High
- Star Eyes
- Too Close For Comfort
- You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Compositions
Art Pepper's compositions included "The Trip", "Red Car", "Gettin' Together", "Ol' Croix", "Tynan Time", "Minor Yours", "Diane", "Blues at Twilight", "Bijou the Poodle", "Pepper Pot", "Val's Pal", "Chili Pepper", "Art's Opus", "Brown Gold", "Zenobia", "Angel Wings", "Junior Cat", "Pepper Steak", "Straight Life", "Tenor Blooz", "Walkin' Out Blues", "Patricia", "Five More", "Minority", "Mambo de la Pinta", "Surf Ride", "Las Cuevas De Mario", "Our Song", "Among Friends", "That's Love", "Waltz Me Blues", "Labyrinth", "Make A List", "Pepper Returns", "True Blues", "Landscape", "Miss Who", "Mambo Koyama", "Ophelia", "Lost Life", "Dynaflow" with Stan KentonStan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
, and "Funny Blues".