I've always found it very special when an accomplished instrumentalist takes a familiar, established standard and turns it on its ear, following a path that ranges far and wide while still keeping in touch with the basic melody. One of the best I've ever heard at that art — just happened to also be named Art.
Art Pepper was one of the greats, an alto saxophonist who was a contemporary of Charlie Parker but had an entirely different musical signature. As one of the stalwarts of the 'West Coast Sound', he turned in several decades of brilliant performances, while repeatedly fighting drug problems — and serving prison terms related to his addiction.
His life provides a fascinating story, one that I would encourage readers to pursue, but it is his music that remains his legacy. In the years before his death in 1982 he seemed to have conquered most of his demons and his music was better than ever. A good example of his improvisational genius is from that era. It's "There Will Never Be Another You," an old standard that Art turns into something magic.
The art of improvisation — demonstrated by a master.
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