Everything Happens To Me

April 24, 2016 10:10 AM

In addition to being a talented saxophonist, the late Art Pepper was many things -- among them, a drug addict, a thief, an alcoholic and a writer. This personal film portrait (from 1981) reveals the fascinating life of a remarkable jazz musician in his own words, as he describes his dreams, his criminal past, his upbringing and the meaning of his tattoos. He died the next year.

More Art Pepper Live:
Rhythm A Ning
Live in Rome

posted by Potomac Avenue (4 comments total)

Here's some music to set that Synanon mood.
posted by thelonius at 10:30 AM on April 24, 2016 [1 favorite]

I hate to use the term required reading, but his autobiography Straight Life is pretty close to it for anyone interested in 1) jazz music; 2) drug abuse; or 3) autobiographies. I don't read many books multiple times, but I think I've gone through this one at least three times.
posted by saintjoe at 10:35 AM on April 24, 2016 [1 favorite]

Love Art Pepper. My dad turned me on to him when I was a kid & Smack Up has always been one of my favorite jazz albums. Maybe the best Left Coast album, though I suppose Chet Baker fans would argue that. It's amazing with his upbringing & his sordid life that he accomplished what he did - really a remarkable player. Straight Life is written in a pretty plain voice, but is a hell of a read. It was largely put to paper by his wife Laurie, who has recently published her own memoir, ART, Why I Stuck With a Junkie Jazzman. I haven't read it yet, but I sent it to my dad for Christmas & he gives it a favorable review.
posted by Devils Rancher at 2:29 PM on April 24, 2016 [3 favorites]

Thanks, Potomac Avenue; a great post.

I once saw Mr Pepper with the group he's playing with in the documentary: they blew the roof off!

An example of one member's artistry: Milcho Leviev playing Imagine & Bulgarian Boogie.
posted by On the Corner at 1:04 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]