Alto saxophonist Art Pepper was born on September 1, 1925 in Gardena, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. Although his career was interrupted on several occasions due to battles with heroin addiction and imprisonment on drug charges, Pepper is considered by many to be the finest alto player of his time.

Both of Art Pepper’s parents were alcoholics and young Art was sent to live with his grandmother at an early age. He began playing clarinet at age 9 and switched to saxophone when he was 13. While still in his teens he could be found regularly at jam sessions on Los Angeles’ Central Avenue.

Only four years after having taken up the alto saxophone, Art Pepper was playing in the Benny Carter band and shortly thereafter was playing with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. His tenure with Kenton was interrupted by military service during World War II. In 1952 Pepper placed second in the DownBeat Magazine reader’s poll for best alto player. The winner was Charlie Parker.

Because of numerous arrests and convictions for drug possession and use Art Pepper served four separate stints in prison. Two of those incarcerations were at San Quentin where he formed a band with fellow prisoner and alto player Frank Morgan. After each of his stays in prison Pepper was able to mount successful musical comebacks and some critics believe he was producing his best work when he passed away due to a stroke in 1982 at the age of 56. Two years prior to his death he co-wrote a book about his life with his wife.

Here is a link to Art Pepper performing at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival and talking about his life in footage from a Norwegian television documentary:

"ART PEPPER AT THE KONGSBERG FESTIVAL - 1980"