The Art Pepper Companion: Writings on a Jazz Original - Tapa dura

Art Pepper was as compelling a memoirist as he was a soloist-a jazz anti-hero. These pieces come close to capturing him in his full dimension, shedding light not only on Pepper's recordings, but on his searing autobiography Straight Life. -- Francis Davis, author of Bebop and Nothingness Nobody has followed Pepper's career more closely than Todd Selbert, and his judicious selection of commentary will not only remind Pepper's admirers of the roots of their enjoyment, but will lead a new generation to discover its beauties for themselves. -- Jack Chambers, Author of Milestones: The Music and Times of Miles Davis Every time Art Pepper picked up a horn his jazz playing was scalding in its intensity. The Art Pepper Companion superbly conveys both the triumph of Pepper's music and the tragedy of his life. -- Eric Nisenson, Author of 'Round About Midnight: A Portrait of Miles Davis and Ascension: John Coltrane and His Quest Jazz writer Todd Selbert has compiled 25 years' worth of articles about Pepper.... It makes for a good companion piece to Straight Life, but it also stands alone in celebrating a neglected and troubled musician. -- Jeff Hinkle * Phoenix New Times * This is more than the celebration of a great American original. This is the inside dope on a whole way of life, the stuff of legend, and reading The Art Peper Companion allows us to see and hear how that tortured life produced one of the most haunting voices in jazz. -- Ben Sidran, Author of Talking Jazz: An Oral History, Black Talk, and Ben Sidran: A Life in The Music Art Pepper embodied so many of the qualities of jazz in his time.... It would be great to think that players such as Art Pepper will come along again, but I wouldn't bet on it. Meanwhile, we have this handsome, intriguing collection as a memorial. -- Derek Bailey, Author of Improvisation: Its Nature and Practice Despite the turmoil of his private life, Art Pepper always created inspired jazz.... Todd Selbert has done the jazz world a great service in bringing together the best articles about Pepper. They highlight the achievements of a jazzman whose playing has gathered a remarkably durable international following. -- John Chilton For insights into the life and work of a musical legend, this collection is indispensable. * Jazz Canadiana * This varied, finely spiced collection contains bravura performances by well-known and outspoken jazz writers. In the aggregate, they present everything you ever wanted to know about a crucial era in jazz history as seen through the microcosm of the life and music of one troubled but extraordinarily gifted alto saxophonist.... Don't miss these riches. -- Leslie Gourse, Author of Unforgettable: The Life and Mystique of Nat King Cole and Louis' Children: American Jazz Singers A fine volume. There are many pieces by writers that I'll bet not too many non-obsessives have yet read and these pieces, along with a few other semi-obscure essays and interviews make this book a solid read. There are wonderful passages on Pepper's early and late work.... The focus and the wonder of the book is how the saxophonist was able to triumph over his prodigious self-destructiveness and make consistently excellent music. . . . This book should encourage a renewed interest in this fascinating jazzman. * Face, (Portland, Maine) * A valuable book about one of America's finest artists. -- John Litweiler, Author of Ornette Coleman: A Harmolodic Life This valuable collection includes pieces by some of the best jazz critics: WHITNEY BALLIETT, TED GIOIA, BOB BLUMENTHAL, LEONARD FEATHER, MARTIN WILLIAMS, GROVER LEWIS, GARY GIDDINS, and DAN MORGENSTERN.... Clearly, the editor wanted this book to be more than just a look inside Pepper's album covers, and he has succeeded. * JazzTimes Magazine * These selections are compelling, intelligent, and convincing. . . . You will hear jazz better, and appreciate Pepper more, from just thumbing through these pages. The writing is erudite, impassioned, and on a par with a musician whose every note deserves attention with this book at the listener's side. * Philadelphia Tribune * The troubled career of jazz great Art Pepper is chronicled in interviews, liner notes, reviews, critical studies, and retrospectives by jazz connoisseurs in The Art Pepper Companion. Battling drug addiction and serving frequent jail time, the alto saxophonist nevertheless continued to innovate. [This volume] recounts Pepper's efforts in life and music, and reveal the honest reverence received by this musician from peers and audiences alike. * Publishers Weekly * This is the most significant book on the greatest saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker era published since Pepper's autobiography Straight Life. * All About Jazz * With this remarkable set of articles now available in one place, there is no longer any excuse for not knowing just how creative and important Art Pepper was. -- John F. Szwed, Author of Space Is the Place: The Lives and Times of Sun Ra and So What: The Life of Miles Davis This collection brings the initiated and unititiated alike into the heart and soul of Art Pepper's jazz. -- Paul Zollo, Author of Songwriters on Songwriting and Hollywood Remembered: An Oral History of Its Golden Age I actually found it very easy to open the book at any chapter and start reading. Companion is a fascinating account of a great musician whose demons haunted him until the day he passed away. No matter what kind of music or instrument you like, one needs to read The Art Pepper Companion. * Goldmine * ...consistently demonstrates just how inspiring a good subject can be. Consistently engaging, often disturbing, genuinely thought-provoking in its reflections on race in jazz culture in the '50's, the book is worthy of its subject. * A B A Journal (American Bar Association Journal) *

Critics and fans alike have hailed Art Pepper (1925-1982) as the greatest alto saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker generation. During a career spanning forty years, Pepper recorded several incredible and intensely personal albums. Many of those years were also spent wrestling with an overpowering heroin addiction: Throughout his life he was in and out of prison and rehab clinics, appearing in the studio and laying down brilliant music when he was able. In The Art Pepper Companion, many of the most respected names in jazz writing examine Pepper's career, his unique position in the history of jazz, and his troubled life. The contributions in The Art Pepper Companion include Whitney Balliett reviewing Pepper's remarkable autobiography Straight Life; Dan Morgenstern on his live performing; Gary Giddins on Pepper's career in light of racial tensions among black and white jazzmen; and John Litweiler on the transformation of Pepper's post-70s career. In several interviews, Pepper talks of his musical influences, his rough childhood and his drug habit. The book also features a selected discography and rare photos of Pepper at different stages of his career. For insight into the life and work of a musical legend, The Art Pepper Companion is indispensable.