Straight Life
by Art Pepper
Buy on AmazonArt Pepper (1925-1982) was called the greatest alto saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker generation. But his autobiography, Straight Life, is much more than a jazz book--it is one of the most explosive, yet one of the most lyrical, of all autobiographies. This edition is updated with an extensive afterword by Laurie Pepper covering Art Pepper's last years, and a complete and up-to-date discography by Todd Selbert.
Recommended by
"Art Pepper's Straight Life, where I discovered truth outclassed style and vernacular was the king's English at the right table."
By the Book: Bono · nytimes.com
"Undeniably, Art Pepper's Straight Life. My friend T.R. Johnson first showed me the book about a quarter of a century ago. It's better [than promised]."
By the Book: Will Oldham · nytimes.com