Pepper 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. While in San Quentin he played in an ensemble with saxophonist
Frank Morgan. 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 albums
including Living Legend, Art Pepper Today, Among Friends, and Live in Japan:
Vol. 2.
His autobiography, Straight Life
(1980, co-written with his third wife Laurie Pepper), discusses the jazz music
world, as well as drug and criminal subcultures of mid-20th century California.
Soon after the publication of
this book, the director Don McGlynn released the documentary film Art Pepper:
Notes from a Jazz Survivor,[6] discussing his life and featuring interviews
with both Art and his wife Laurie, as well as footage from a live performance
in Malibu jazz club. Laurie Pepper also released an interview to NPR.
Pepper died of a stroke in Los
Angeles on June 15, 1982, aged 56.
