Art Pepper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Art Pepper
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Pepper in Los Angeles, 1979
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. |
| Born | September 1, 1925 Gardena, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 15, 1982 (aged 56) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1946–1982 |
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Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (born September 1, 1925 – died June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist. He also sometimes played the tenor saxophone and clarinet. Art Pepper became famous in the West Coast jazz music scene. He was known for his very emotional performances and changing his musical style many times. A music critic named Scott Yanow said that Pepper had become "the world's great altoist" by the time he passed away.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Art Pepper was born in Gardena, California, in the United States. When he was very young, he went to live with his grandmother. He showed a strong interest in music early on and began taking lessons. He started playing the clarinet at age nine. By age 13, he switched to the alto saxophone. He immediately began playing music with other musicians on Central Avenue, which was a lively nightclub area in Los Angeles.
A Career in Jazz Music
At 17, Art Pepper started playing music professionally with Benny Carter. Soon after, he joined the famous Stan Kenton orchestra. He toured with this band until 1943. After a break, he returned to Los Angeles and rejoined Kenton's orchestra.
By the 1950s, Pepper was seen as one of the best alto saxophonists in jazz. In 1952, DownBeat magazine's readers voted him the second-best alto saxophonist, right after Charlie Parker. Art Pepper is often linked to a style of jazz called West Coast jazz. This style was popular in California. Some of his well-known albums from the 1950s include Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Art Pepper + Eleven – Modern Jazz Classics, and Smack Up.
Art Pepper's career had some difficult periods. However, these challenges did not stop him from making high-quality music. He continued to play with great skill throughout his life.
In the mid-1970s, he traveled and performed in Europe and Japan with his own bands. He recorded many albums during this time. Some of his later albums are Living Legend, Art Pepper Today, and Live in Japan.
Art Pepper's Life Story
Pepper lived for many years in the hills of Echo Park, in Los Angeles. His career was interrupted by some challenging times. During one of these periods, he played music with saxophonist Frank Morgan in a special program. In the late 1960s, Pepper joined a community program called Synanon.
His life story, called Straight Life, was published in 1980. He wrote it with his third wife, Laurie Pepper. The book shares stories about the jazz music world and his life experiences. After the book came out, a film director named Don McGlynn made a documentary film about him. It was called Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor. The film showed interviews with Art and Laurie and clips of his live performances.
Art Pepper passed away from a stroke in Los Angeles on June 15, 1982. He was 56 years old. He is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood.
Images for kids
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Stan Kenton, Eddie Safranski, Shelly Manne, Chico Alvarez, Ray Wetzel, Harry Betts, Bob Cooper, and Art Pepper (second from right), 1947 or 1948
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See Also
In Spanish: Art Pepper para niños
