Vintage Art Farmer in a rare quartet setting…
Portrait of Art Farmer – Craft Recordings/Contemporary Records # CR00605 – 180 gm stereo vinyl – 46:47 – ****
(Art Farmer – trumpet; Hank Jones – piano; Addison Farmer – bass; Roy Haynes – drums)
Jazz trumpeter, Art Farmer, came up in the 1950s , an era replete with trumpet greats, including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Howard McGhee, and Freddie Hubbard. Art’s career continued into the late 1990s, and although honored, he never quite deserved the recognition that he so richly deserved. For my money, Art Farmer was a master of the ballad, yet could hold his own in any setting.
At the time of the recording of Portrait of Art Farmer, Art was about to turn 30 years old. He had recorded over 10 albums as a leader, but almost always without another horn to accompany him. For this album,Farmer had his choice of rhythm section. In his 20s, he had already played with Horace Silver, Lionel Hampton, Dexter Gordon, and Gigi Gryce, so he was well equipped to judge talent.
He chose well, having a dream duo of the incomparable pianist, Hank Jones, and drumming legend, Roy Haynes. It was an easy decision to add his twin brother, Addison, on bass. Song selection is a mix of three of his own compositions, and five standards. His choice of Hank Jones was a particularly wise one, as Hank is noted for his sympathetic accompaniment, a fact noted by many singers over the years.
Art was recognized later for his flugelhorn playing on ballads, but here he has only his trumpet as lead instrument. His warm tone is on full display, as well as his clear articulation. He is generous with finding space for Hank Jones’ solos throughout the album. Brother Addison is “steady as she goes,” with a mastery of “walking” bass lines. The consummate pro, Roy Haynes, is a bit more restrained than usual, with minimal solos, but properly driving on the bop oriented material.
Highlights include the wistful and sublime ballad, “The Very Thought of You,” the George Russell tune, “Nita,” where the choruses flow rapid fire, and the two blues influenced Farmer originals, “Earth,” and “Back in the Cage.”
Farmer makes the pop tune, “Too Late Now,” his own, while “By Myself,” is a somber rumination written Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz, to capture the feeling of a break-up. Who better than Art Farmer to explore its pathos?
Art Farmer was picked by Downbeat Magazine as “best new trumpeter” in 1958, the year this album was recorded. Art continued his accolades from fellow musicians throughout his stay with Benny Golson in The Jazztet, and later had a successful run with guitarist, Jim Hall.
Craft Recordings, as part of the Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds (vinyl) Series, honors Mr. Farmer with this release, its lacquers cut from the original master tapes by the iconic engineer, Bernie Grundman. Pressed on 180 gm vinyl, the acoustics are impeccable, and the sound mix highlights the talents of this dream quartet. Highly recommended…
—Jeff Krow
Portrait of Art Farmer
Tracklist:
Side 1:
Back in the Cage
Stablemates
The Very Thought of You
And Now…
Side 2:
Nita
By Myself
To Late Now
Earth
More Information Available through Craft Recordings
