Search - Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor on DVD

Stunningly candid behind the scenes with a jazz legend.

11/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Art Pepper's torturous life story is told by the man himself and the woman who saved his life. This video not only presents his story but a few amazing performances which find Pepper squeezing every bit of soul into his horn. Riveting viewing and a treasure for the live bits."

A Must See For All Jazz Fans

Peter La Barbera | California | 04/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After seeing this poignant and moving video about the torture and genius of a true jazz great, I had to make a comment.Having followed his music since the days of Stan Kenton, it's wonderful to be able to retain a little piec of his music on video. This should be in every jazz fan's library."

This DVD is a Great Document Of A Great Jazz Musician

M. Franzman | New Haven, CT USA | 12/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I came to like Art Pepper later in my musical journey. I was always more of a trumpet fan, having only come to appreciate the saxophone after hearing John Coletrane or Cannonball Adderly play on Miles Davis records. Point is, I was never a huge fan of the sax. But in 2001 I stumbled upon a cd in a library, "Art Pepper Thursday Night At The Village Vanguard" and it sounded so real, so raw, and yet so polished that it actually PUTS you in the legendary club for the gig. You can almost smell the cigarette smoke, the booze, hear and feel the people around you, pressing in to take in the live jazz, done by a genius. I then purchased the rest of the cd series, "Friday Night", "Saturday Night" and "More For Les". These Art Pepper discs contain masterful playing, captured at a peak of sorts with a rhythm section that put the songs first, not the solos. Needless to say, when this Art Pepper DVD came out, I had to have a look. It is a very sober interview with a man who has had many un-sober days, and he tackles the tough questions head-on. From telling how it felt to do heroin for the first time, for the thirtieth time, to his experience with de-tox and withdrawal agony in a cell in prison, to finally meeting his daughter and writing a song for her even though his gestures were never re-ciprocated, this is a painful, intimate look at the man, the music, the mess and the mystique of jazz. It really puts you there with him for an hour or so, both playing and telling you about it. If you like the "feel" of jazz, of blues, this delivers a good short dose of it. Get this, dim the lights, and enjoy! --mf"

A perfect companion to Straight Life autobiography

Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 01/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This work was made in 1982 which was the time of Mr Pepper's post smack post prison renaissance documented musically on the wonderful 16CD Galaxy Box Set issued c1990. Although the film is only 42 minutes plus credits there is nothing superfluous on it and for a music lover, the live performance of PATRICIA is worth the price of the DVD. But Mr Pepper is also an articulate, honest individual and the viewer is made privy to his bedroom, his dreams, origin and meaning of his tats, his eating habits, upbringing, and prison experience et al. I've never tired of his music and this DVD is a complementary and essential document for one of the most expressive, talented musicians of the last century. He says in the film: "I'm a genius. I don't know anyone who can play the alto better than I can at this moment." The amazing thing is, I didn't wince when he said this. He may have been right. He was also quite a funny guy with a self-deprecating wit."