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.
Over the Rainbow
Art Pepper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream,
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
Art Pepper's interpretation of "Over the Rainbow" is a reflection of hope, an idyllic dream. The lyrics portray a place beyond the skies that we can only access in our imagination, a place where the dreams we dare to dream come to fruition. The song opens up with the idea of a mythical place - "Somewhere over the rainbow" - that has the promise of perfection. The land is, no doubt, talked about in bedtime stories, evoking images of something we all long for.
The lyrics continue to explain a wish that the singer dreams of. They want to wake up and see the clouds, which are metaphorical of problems, left far behind them. In this land beyond the rainbow, they would find a place where trouble no longer exists, and life is full of lemon drops that melt away. The language also highlights that everyone has dreams, and if you dare to dream, they do come true. The promise of an idyllic land where all of our dreams come true is a powerful message.
Finally, the song concludes with a desire to be where bluebirds fly, a symbol of happiness and freedom, as they fly to the idyllic destiny. While the bluebirds can fly beyond the rainbow, the singer cannot. The repetition of the phrase "why, oh why can't I" highlights the longing and frustration of the singer, making listeners relate to the idea of yearning for a better future.
Overall, Art Pepper's version of "Over the Rainbow" highlights the importance of holding onto hope, the power of imagination, and the idea that everybody has dreams of a better place. The lyrics remind us that despite the struggles, it's essential to recognize that there's always a better place beyond the skies if we dare to dream.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
Wherever there is an imaginary, utopian world, high up above our heads.
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
There exists a mystical realm that I only know from a lullaby I have listened to before.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
In this otherworldly location, the skies are an endless, vibrant blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.
In this fantastical land, all of your deepest desires will inevitably manifest themselves.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
One day, I'll receive the motivation to wish upon a remarkable celestial body.
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
And as a result, I will awaken in an ethereal location, free from any bothersome clouds behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, High above the chimney tops, That's where you'll find me.
In this idyllic paradise, all problems are trivial and dissipate like melting lemon drops, and you will locate me, perched upon a chimney high up in the sky.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
In this surreal destination, flocks of blue birds fly with ease.
Birds fly over the rainbow
It's commonly seen that birds fly over the impossible and bizarre world above the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
I cannot help but ponder why I cannot also achieve the unlikely feat of traversing this fanciful place.
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
If it is possible for those content bluebirds to soar past the mythical threshold above the rainbow.
Why, oh why can't I?
Then, as before, I am compelled to question why I, too, can't access this extraordinary space.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
Once again, there is a stronghold of joy and wonder high up over the rainbow.
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby.
Once more, this distant place is one I've only encountered in sublime, soothing music from my dreams.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
Wherever this mystical domain lies, the skies possess an unparalleled blue hue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream, Really do come true.
Finally, it bears repeating that this paradise will fulfill any and all aspirations one might hold.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sam Brinson
Any mention of this great artist Mr. Art Pepper instantly makes me feel sad, depressed. A man having such talent and concern for others should have been helped to overcome his addiction, and never should have been sent to prison for it when serious rehabilitation would have saved him and prolonged his life. We lost him through our indifference and negative regard for this man who contributed so much of himself for our enjoyment and entertainment. Rest in Peace, Dear Brother Mr. Art Pepper. You remain still in our hearts. .
John Augustine
Well said. US archaic drug laws suck
Miguel Fernandes
Sam Brinson The same applies to the late and great Chet Baker. What a talent wasted for the same reasons you mentioned.
jeromegraves23
Magnificent. My thanks to author Michael Connelly and his book "The Black Box", which raved about this great artist.
ozarkfrank
Had honor of playing with Art back in the late '70's. he was one of the guests at our local Jazz Fest. Amazing man
jjhpor
When I was four years old, in 1948, we moved to Delta avenue in Long Beach California. Our next door neighbor was a hard-drinking, rough acting longshoreman. He seemed really old to me but all of the kids in the neighborhood liked him because he had what seemed at the time to be a giant television ( probably a year or two later but the longshoreman was there before us) and he and his lovely, tiny, wife would have a bunch of us over Saturday morning to watch cartoons on his wonderful television. I remember years later, we had moved again in 1951, the old man and his tiny wife came to visit us sometimes and he always had a pint of whiskey in his hip pocket. I always knew his name, Art Pepper. It was only years later I learned that his son was a famous jazz musician.
JustEraseTheSystem
Incredible wow
Lowell Thomas, Jr.
He was one of those consummate artists whose work is so varied and beautiful. This is a breathtaking example of his artistry.
Maria Teresa de Brum Benedito
Sou apaixonada por "sax" e ouvir esta canção tão linda e maravilhosamente executada é um privilégio, me sinto encantada e com o coração enriquecido por tão linda execução.Estou deveras emocionada por este lindo presente. Professora Maria teresa de Brum
chna1
This is hauntingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing!