Jazz legend Art Pepper brought honesty to his playing and composing — and unflinching truth to his harrowing autobiography "Straight Life," co-authored by his widow, Laurie Pepper. Since Art's death in 1982, Laurie has archived innumerable recordings of Art's live performances, turning many bootlegs she's collected into releases on her own music label, Widow's Taste.

Laurie Pepper's website: www.lauriepepper.net

Laurie's memoir, "Art: Why I Stuck With a Junkie Jazzman": www.amazon.com/ART-Why-Stuck-Junkie-Jazzman/dp/1494297574

Opening theme: "Keepers" by Still Flyin'

Closing theme: "Slow Draw/Feeling In My Heart" by Eric Frisch

Additional music by Art Pepper, courtesy of Laurie Pepper

www.forkeepspodcast.com