Sept. 1 marks what would have been Pepper’s one hundredth birthday. Kevin Whitehead provides an appreciation of the jazz saxophonist, who began on clarinet at age 9. Pepper died in 1982.
TERRY GROSS, HOST:
Jazz saxophonist Artwork Pepper was born 100 years in the past in the present day. He began on clarinet at age 9 and debuted on document with Stan Kenton at age 18. Pepper had an intensive and artistic alto saxophone fashion that saved his companies in demand, however owing to non-public issues, he’d drop out of music every now and then. Then within the ’70s, after an extended hiatus, Artwork Pepper got here roaring again. Our jazz historian Kevin Whitehead has the small print.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER’S “MAMBO KOYAMA”)
KEVIN WHITEHEAD, BYLINE: Artwork Pepper’s tune “Mambo Koyama” from 1978, when the saxophonist was having fun with one of many nice jazz comebacks after 15 years laying low. His return would quickly get an extra increase from his candid autobiography, “Straight Life.” As Pepper tells it there, he was an unloved child, afraid of the whole lot from closets to clouds, who then found two issues he cherished – music early, and some years later, the addictive narcotic heroin. In his e-book, he makes the primary time he shot up sound like coming house. Artwork Pepper, the jazz musician, received early publicity in Stan Kenton’s Forties massive band. All of the younger alto gamers dug Charlie Parker’s fleet brilliance. However Pepper had his personal vibrant tone, heat inflections, skiddery phrasing and floating swing really feel.
(SOUNDBITE OF STAN KENTON’S “DYNAFLOW”)
WHITEHEAD: Artwork Pepper on Stan Kenton’s “Dynaflow,” 1950. Different West Coast leaders sought Pepper out, however he might burn somewhat sizzling for LA’s new, cool jazz scene. Shorty Rogers showcased him on an association of “Over The Rainbow,” which barely contained Pepper’s power and creativity.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER’S “OVER THE RAINBOW”)
WHITEHEAD: Artwork Pepper’s life might be a large number, however he performed with loads of coronary heart. You actually hear it on a pair of stark blues with bassist Ben Tucker from 1956. On “Blues In,” Pepper balances elegant strains and woozy splats, as if bearing his inside contradictions.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER’S “BLUES IN”)
WHITEHEAD: One factor Artwork Pepper fretted about lots was that African American colleagues did not respect him sufficient, Pepper being white and ever insecure. He was anxious earlier than 1957 document date with Miles Davis’ rhythm trio, fearing they’d cop an perspective. However they could not have been nicer. And the album “Artwork Pepper Meets The Rhythm Part” was an on the spot basic. Pianist Pink Garland had advised “You’d Be So Good To Come Residence To,” the place Pepper warms up his solo with some thick, slabby low notes.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER’S “YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO”)
WHITEHEAD: Artwork Pepper made extra effective albums via 1960. Then he did not make one among his personal for 15 years. To be a drug addict was to be an outlaw, and Artwork did just a few stretches in California prisons adopted by a stint in a drug rehab program he made sound like jail another time. However he saved enjoying and retaining observe of latest developments. specifically, John Coltrane’s approach of blending type and freedom. Comeback Pepper wrote some new fashion tunes like “Mambo Koyama” and the smooth and streamlined “Panorama.”
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER’S “LANDSCAPE”)
WHITEHEAD: The tune “Panorama” was a staple of Artwork Pepper’s final years when he carried out and recorded usually. I noticed him just a few instances towards the top, and his enjoying was a marvel, typically a bit rougher, however together with his previous superbly sculpted phrases and headlong rhythm. Right here he’s on “Panorama” from a competition set on the Kennedy Middle.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER’S “LANDSCAPE”)
WHITEHEAD: Artwork Pepper, Might 1982, on his ultimate live performance. His abused physique had been failing, and he died two weeks later. That Pepper made it to age 56 owed a lot to his spouse and co-author Laurie Pepper, who’s issued many late interval dwell dates, just like the one we simply heard on her Widow’s Style label. Ultimately, the saxophonist received all of the acclaim he’d been craving from friends, critics and audiences. Artwork Pepper’s final studio dates have been a detailed listening duo with an African American pianist he bonded with who’s nonetheless with us, the formidable George Cables. With Artwork Pepper’s ultimate performances, the previous outlaw went out in a blaze of glory.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER & GEORGE CABLES’ “DON’T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYIN'”)
GROSS: Kevin Whitehead is the writer of “New Dutch Swing,” “Why Jazz?” and “Play The Method You Really feel.”
Tomorrow on FRESH AIR, our visitor will likely be Jane Fonda. On the age of 87, the Academy Award-winning actor is pouring her power into activism. She’ll discuss her decades-long profession, how she first started her health empire to fund her activist work, and why the primary season of the Netflix sequence “Grace And Frankie” despatched her again into remedy. I hope you will be part of us. To maintain up with what’s on the present and get highlights of our interviews, comply with us on Instagram at @nprfreshair. FRESH AIR’s govt producer is Danny Miller. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham. Our managing producer is Sam Briger. Our interviews and opinions are produced and edited by Phyllis Myers, Ann Marie Baldonado, Lauren Krenzel, Therese Madden, Monique Nazareth, Thea Chaloner, Susan Nyakundi, Anna Bauman and John Sheehan. Our digital media producer is Molly Seavy-Nesper. Our consulting visible producer is Hope Wilson. Roberta Shorrock directs the present. Our co-host is Tonya Mosley. I am Terry Gross.
(SOUNDBITE OF ART PEPPER & GEORGE CABLES’ “DON’T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYIN'”)
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