He began his career in the 1940s, playing with Benny Carter and Stan Kenton (1946-52). By the 1950s Pepper was recognized as one of the leading alto saxophonists in jazz, epitomized by his finishing second only to Charlie Parker as Best Alto Saxophonist in the Down Beat magazine Readers Poll of 1952. Along with Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Shelly Manne, and perhaps due more to geography than playing style, Pepper is often associated with the musical movement known as West Coast jazz, as contrasted with the East Coast (or "hot") jazz associated with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Pepper was a member of Buddy Rich's Big Band from 1968 to 1969, and in 1977 and 1978 made two well received tours of Japan.
Perhaps most famous for his recurring legal transgressions, stemming from his addiction to heroin, Pepper had several memorable and productive "comebacks" throughout his career. Remarkably, his substance abuse and legal travails did not affect the quality of his recordings, which maintained a high level of musicianship throughout his career until his death from a brain hemorrhage.
Examples of Pepper's most famous albums from this period are Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics, Gettin' Together, and Smack Up. Representative music from this time appears on The Aladdin Recordings (three volumes), The Early Show, The Late Show, The Complete Surf Ride, and The Way It Was!, which features a session recorded with Warne Marsh.
Pepper lived for many years in the hills of Echo Park, in Los Angeles. He had become a heroin addict in the 1940s, and his career was interrupted by drug-related prison sentences in 1954–56, 1960-61, 1961-64 and 1964-65; the final two sentences were served in San Quentin. In the late 1960s Pepper spent time in Synanon, a drug rehabilitation group.
After beginning methadone therapy in the mid-1970s, Art had a musical comeback and recorded a series of highly acclaimed albums. Albums from this later period include Living Legend, Art Pepper Today, Among Friends, and Live in Japan: Vol. 2.
His autobiography, Straight Life (1980) (transcribed by his third wife Laurie Pepper), is a unique exploration into the jazz music world, as well as drug and criminal subcultures of mid-20th century California. The documentary film Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor, available on DVD, devotes much space to music from one of his late groups featuring pianist Milcho Leviev. There is also an interview with Laurie Pepper available on NPR.
Isn't She Lovely
Art Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious
Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love
Isn't she pretty
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love
Isn't she lovely
Life and love are the same
Life is Aisha
The meaning of her name
Londie, it could have not been done
Without you who conceived the one
That's so very lovely made from love
The song "Isn't She Lovely" by Art Pepper and Georges Cables is a beautiful and touching tribute to the birth of a child. The lyrics describe the overwhelming feeling of love and joy that comes with the arrival of a new baby, and highlight the beauty, wonder, and preciousness of a newborn child. The song begins by asking a series of rhetorical questions that convey the singer's amazement at the miracle of life, and his gratitude for being part of it.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more personal, as the singer reflects on the specific child who has been born, describing her as "lovely made from love" and "truly the angel's best." The singer expresses his happiness and blessings, acknowledging the role of his partner in conceiving and giving birth to their child. The song ends with a final affirmation of the beauty and meaning of life and love, reflected in the unique and special qualities of this particular child.
Overall, "Isn't She Lovely" is a touching and heartfelt tribute to the wonder and beauty of new life, and to the joy and gratitude that come with parenthood.
Line by Line Meaning
Isn't she lovely
Isn't the baby girl beautiful and delightful?
Isn't she wonderful
Isn't it amazing how wonderful this little girl is?
Isn't she precious
Isn't the baby girl adorable and valuable?
Less than one minute old
The newborn has just arrived into the world.
I never thought through love we'd be
I didn't expect to fall in love and create a baby girl like her.
Making one as lovely as she
We have managed to create a baby girl who is as beautiful as her.
But isn't she lovely made from love
The baby girl is so lovely because she was born out of love.
Isn't she pretty
Isn't the baby girl attractive and charming?
Truly the angel's best
She is the best gift from above, like an angel.
Boy, I'm so happy
I am so ecstatic about our new baby girl.
We have been heaven blessed
Our baby girl is a blessing from the heavens above.
I can't believe what God has done
I am amazed by the miracle of life that God has given us.
Through us he's given life to one
God has given us the privilege of bringing a new life into this world.
But isn't she lovely made from love
The baby girl is so lovable because she was created through our love.
Isn't she lovely
Once again, the baby girl is beautiful and delightful to behold.
Life and love are the same
The essence of life is love, and love is the essence of life.
Life is Aisha
The name Aisha means life and reflects how precious life is.
The meaning of her name
The name Aisha has significant meaning in relation to the value of life.
Londie, it could have not been done
I couldn't have done this without you, Londie; creating life and raising her.
Without you who conceived the one
Without you, I would not have had this lovely baby girl who was created within you.
That's so very lovely made from love
Our baby girl is beautiful and precious, and she was brought into the world through the power of love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
djandersonny
Its lovely to hear Pepper on clarinet, too. And George Cables, muy simpático!
Jazz Video Guy
Honored to hear George Cables play last night.
Alistair Candlin
Art covered Stevie Wonder? Who knew? yeah - i agree - Cables is always great. Not to mention Mr. Pepper.
Owe Lavin
Very nice
sasaki9
Mr.beautiful!
blackandtanful
後期ｱｰﾄ･ﾍﾟｯﾊﾟｰをけん引、ほぼﾄﾚｰｽしてくれたｼﾞｮｰｼﾞ･ｹｲﾌﾞﾙｽ､すてきなｺﾗﾎﾞ"Isn't She Lovely"ｸﾗﾘﾈｯﾄもｲｲﾈ! #jazzm
Rafykx Jp
Stevie wonder