Art Pepper | |
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![]() Pepper in Los Angeles, 1979 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. |
Born | Gardena, California, U.S. | September 1, 1925
Died | June 15, 1982 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 56)
Genres | |
Occupation | Musician |
Instruments |
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Years active | 1946โ1982 |
Labels |
Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 โ June 15, 1982)[1] was an American jazz musician, most known as an alto saxophonist. He occasionally performed and recorded on tenor saxophone, clarinet (his first instrument) and bass clarinet. Active primarily in West Coast jazz, Pepper first came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known for his emotionally charged performances and several stylistic shifts throughout his career, and was described by critic Scott Yanow as having "attained his goal of becoming the world's greatest altoist" at the time of his death in 1982.[2]