Jazz Friday: Art Pepper’s Over the Rainbow


Art Pepper was one of the most influential alto saxophonists in the 50s and 60s and considered one of the founders of the West Coast Jazz movement. As a Californian, I’m a fan of West Coast Jazz in general and Art Pepper in particular. There was a lightness to his sound that is delightful. Unfortunately, Art had a lifelong heroin problem and, frankly,  a rough life including several prison stints. There is a great documentary about Art Pepper, called Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz SurvivorOver the Rainbow (iTunes) is a great Art Pepper track because he plays the whole thing solo and really stretches out.