Art Pepper was described as the greatest alto-saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker generation. Straight Life, originally narrated on tape to his wife Laurie, is an explosive work chronicling his work amidst a life dealing with alcoholism, heroin addiction, armed robberies and imprisonment.
The result is an autobiography like no other, a masterpiece of the spoken word, shaped into a genuine work of literature.
About the author
Art Pepper (1925–1982) was an American alto saxophonist and clarinetist. He was born in Gardena, California, and raised in nearby San Pedro. He began playing the clarinet at age 9 and by 15 was performing in Lee Young’s band at the Club Alabam, the home of jazz in pre-war Los Angeles. He began his career in the 1940s, playing with Benny Carter and Stan Kenton. Some of his most famous albums are
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section,
Art Pepper + Eleven (Modern Jazz Classics),
Gettin’ Together and
Smack Up. In 1952 he placed second only to Charlie Parker in the Down Beat jazz poll.
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