Art Pepper (19251982) was called the greatest alto saxophonist of the post-Charlie Parker generation. But his autobiography, Straight Life , is much more than a jazz bookit is one of the most explosive, yet one of the most lyrical, of all autobiographies. This edition is updated with an extensive afterword by Laurie Pepper covering Art Peppers last years, and a complete and up-to-date discography by Todd Selbert.

Table of Contents

* Cast of Characters 19251954 * Childhood, 19251939 * Patti, 19301944 * The Avenue, 19401944 * The Army, 19441946 * Heroin, 19461952 * On the Road with Stan Kentons Band, 19461952 * Busted, 19521953 * The Los Angeles County Jail, 1953 * The U.S. Public Health Service Hospital at Fort Worth, 19531954 1954-1966 * The Los Angeles County Jail: Integration, 19541956 * Diane, 19561958 * Suicides, 19581960 * Stealing, 1960 * The Los Angeles County Jail: The Hole, 19601961 * San Quentin, 1961 * San Quentin: Learning The Ropes, 19611964 * The Check Protector, 19641965 * San Quentin: Tattoos, 19651966 1966-1978 * Christine 19661968 * On the Road with Buddy Richs Band, 19681969 * Synanon. 1969 * Synanon: Laurie, 1969 * Synanon: Games, Raids, the Trip, 19691971 * The Return of Art Pepper, 19711978 * Conclusion