The early years of Pepper Adams’ life were spent moving around the American Midwest as his family followed the availability of work during the Great Depression. Adams, who was born in Michigan on October 8, 1930, also moved around musically, starting on piano, and trying his hand at trombone, clarinet and tenor saxophone before settling on the instrument that he would eventually be known for, the baritone saxophone, at age 16.

After purchasing his first baritone saxophone using his employee discount at the Detroit music store where he worked, he was gigging around the city and eventually dropped out of the 11th grade to concentrate on his musical career. He later attended Wayne State University and also served in the United States Army in Korea.

Adams cited Wardell Gray and Harry Carney as primary influences and spent time playing with Count Basie, Lucky Thompson and Kenny Burrell. He joined up with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in 1956 followed by a year-long stint with Chet Baker. In 1965 he was a founding member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra in New York City and played with them for 11 years. In 1977, at age 47, Pepper Adams began a solo career and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Performance as a Soloist in 1984.

Adams was severely injured in a freak automobile accident at his home in 1983 and spent about a year in a wheelchair. He was able to return to performing, though, in January of 1985. He was also a heavy smoker for most of his life and was diagnosed with lung cancer. He passed away on September 10, 1986 at the age of 55.

Here is a link to Pepper Adams playing with Clark Terry in a 1978 performance for Swedish television:

"STRAIGHT NO CHASER"