Art Farmer
Encyclopedia
Arthur Stewart "Art" Farmer (August 21, 1928, Council Bluffs, Iowa
– October 4, 1999) was an American
jazz
trumpeter and flugelhorn
player. He also played flumpet
, a trumpet/flugelhorn combination designed for him by David Monette
. His identical twin brother, Addison Farmer
(d. 1963), was a bassist.
, he played in the bands of Benny Carter
and Jay McShann
among others.
He joined Lionel Hampton
's orchestra around 1953, fellow trumpeters Clifford Brown
and Quincy Jones
were also with Hampton at the time), and having relocated to New York, later worked with Gigi Gryce
, Horace Silver
and Gerry Mulligan
among others. From the middle of the decade he featured in recordings by leading arrangers of the day, including George Russell, Jones and Oliver Nelson
. He also formed "The Jazztet" with the composer and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson
; both men had independently come to the decision that the other should be a member of their group. "The Jazztet" did not gain sufficient club engagements to last beyond 1962, but it did assist the careers of pianist McCoy Tyner
and trombonist Grachan Moncur III
, and the group recorded several albums for Argo
and Mercury Records
. In the early 1960s Farmer established a trio with guitarist Jim Hall
and bassist Steve Swallow
. Later, with drummer Pete La Roca
and pianist Steve Kuhn
, Farmer and Swallow recorded the album Sing Me Softly of the Blues (1965) for the Atlantic
label.
Farmer then moved to Europe, ultimately based in Vienna
, where he performed with The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band
. Farmer also recorded extensively as a leader throughout his later career. With Golson he revived 'The Jazztet' in the 1980s for a number of engagements, with the original trombonist Curtis Fuller
returning to the group.
With Curtis Fuller
With Bennie Green
With Dizzy Gillespie
With Clifford Jordan
With Gil Mellé
With Chico O'Farrill
With Heikki Sarmanto
With Mal Waldron
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
– October 4, 1999) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpeter and flugelhorn
Flugelhorn
The flugelhorn is a brass instrument resembling a trumpet but with a wider, conical bore. Some consider it to be a member of the saxhorn family developed by Adolphe Sax ; however, other historians assert that it derives from the valve bugle designed by Michael Saurle , Munich 1832 , thus...
player. He also played flumpet
Flumpet
The flumpet is a hybrid musical instrument blending qualities of the trumpet and flugelhorn.It was inspired by Art Farmer, a virtuoso jazz musician who traveled with both a trumpet and a flugelhorn in his baggage. He played with equal facility on both, but switched from one to the other to exploit...
, a trumpet/flugelhorn combination designed for him by David Monette
David Monette
David G. Monette is an American craftsman who designs and builds custom-built brass instruments and mouthpieces for musicians.Monette's experience as a trumpeter and the influence of acoustician Arthur Benade lead Monette to redesign the trumpet mouthpiece with the goal of improving playability and...
. His identical twin brother, Addison Farmer
Addison Farmer
Addison Farmer was an American jazz bassist. He was the twin brother of Art Farmer.Addison was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He took bass lessons from Fred Zimmermann, and studied at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music...
(d. 1963), was a bassist.
Biography
The son of a steelworker, Art Farmer worked as a musician from the mid-1940s onwards. Based in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, he played in the bands of Benny Carter
Benny Carter
Bennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King...
and Jay McShann
Jay McShann
Jay McShann was an American Grammy Award-nominated jump blues, mainstream jazz, and swing bandleader, pianist and singer....
among others.
He joined Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
's orchestra around 1953, fellow trumpeters Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown , aka "Brownie," was an influential and highly rated American jazz trumpeter. He died aged 25, leaving behind only four years' worth of recordings...
and Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
were also with Hampton at the time), and having relocated to New York, later worked with Gigi Gryce
Gigi Gryce
Gigi Gryce was an American saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, educator, and big band bandleader.His performing career was relatively short and, in comparison to other musicians of his...
, Horace Silver
Horace Silver
Horace Silver , born Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silva in Norwalk, Connecticut, is an American jazz pianist and composer....
and Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
among others. From the middle of the decade he featured in recordings by leading arrangers of the day, including George Russell, Jones and Oliver Nelson
Oliver Nelson
Oliver Edward Nelson was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger and composer.-Early life and career:...
. He also formed "The Jazztet" with the composer and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson
Benny Golson
Benny Golson is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger.-Biography:While in high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golson played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and...
; both men had independently come to the decision that the other should be a member of their group. "The Jazztet" did not gain sufficient club engagements to last beyond 1962, but it did assist the careers of pianist McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet and a long solo career.-Early life:...
and trombonist Grachan Moncur III
Grachan Moncur III
Grachan Moncur III is an American jazz trombonist who has mostly played free jazz, as well as being a prolific composer. He is the son of jazz bassist Grachan Moncur II and the nephew of jazz saxophonist Al Cooper.-Biography:...
, and the group recorded several albums for Argo
Argo Records
Argo Records was started in December of 1955 to accommodate some of the rapidly growing recording activity at Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo.Initially, Argo offered a...
and Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. In the early 1960s Farmer established a trio with guitarist Jim Hall
Jim Hall (musician)
James Stanley Hall is an American jazz guitarist.-Biography:Educated at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Hall moved to Los Angeles where he began to attract national, and then international, attention in the late 1950s...
and bassist Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow
Steve Swallow is a jazz double bass and bass guitarist and composer born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.One of the leading bassists in jazz, Swallow is noted for collaborations with Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton and Carla Bley...
. Later, with drummer Pete La Roca
Pete La Roca
Pete La Roca is an American jazz drummer. He adopted the name La Roca early in his musical career when he was a timbales player in Latin bands....
and pianist Steve Kuhn
Steve Kuhn
Steve Kuhn is an American jazz pianist, composer and trio leader.-Biography:He began studying piano at the age of five and studied under Boston piano teacher Margaret Chaloff, mother of jazz baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff, who taught him the "Russian style" of piano playing. At an early age he...
, Farmer and Swallow recorded the album Sing Me Softly of the Blues (1965) for the Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
label.
Farmer then moved to Europe, ultimately based in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, where he performed with The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band
The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band
The Kenny Clarke–Francy Boland Big Band was one of the most noteworthy jazz big bands formed outside the United States.It was formed in 1961, when, with the help of producer Gigi Campi, the US drummer Kenny Clarke and Belgian pianist and composer Francy Boland and ex-Ellington bassist Jimmy Woode...
. Farmer also recorded extensively as a leader throughout his later career. With Golson he revived 'The Jazztet' in the 1980s for a number of engagements, with the original trombonist Curtis Fuller
Curtis Fuller
Curtis DuBois Fuller is an American jazz trombonist, known as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and contributor to many classic jazz recordings.-Biography:...
returning to the group.
As leader
- Art Farmer Septet (Prestige RecordsPrestige RecordsPrestige Records was a jazz record label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock. The company was located at 203 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and recorded hundreds of albums by many of the leading jazz musicians of the day, sometimes issuing them under the names of several...
, 1953) - When Farmer Met Gryce (Fantasy Records, 1955)
- Two Trumpets (Prestige 1956)
- Farmers Market (Prestige, 1956)
- Modern Art (CM Blue Note, 1958)
- Portrait of Art Farmer (Fantasy Records, 1958)
- Brass Shout (Blue Note, 1959)
- Meet the Jazztet (1960)
- Perception (with Benny Golson, 1961)
- Another Git Together Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet (Mercury Records, 1962)
- Listen To Art Farmer & The Orchestra (Verve RecordsVerve RecordsVerve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
, 1962) - Interaction (with Jim Hall) (Atlantic records, 1963)
- To Sweden with Love (Atlantic Records, 1964)
- Sing Me Softly of the Blues (Atlantic Records, 1965)
- A Sleeping Bee (Sonet RecordsSonet RecordsSonet Records is a jazz record label operating as an imprint of Universal Music Sweden. It was founded in Sweden in 1956.Sonet Records was established by Sven Lindholm and Gunnar Bergström, who managed the label into the 1980s. Dag Haeggqvist, the owner of Gazell Records, became an executive of the...
1974) (Swedish release with Janne Schaffer, Sabu Martinez, Red Mitchell) - Yesterday's Thoughts (East Wind RecordsEast Wind RecordsEast Wind was a Japanese jazz record label.Among their most prominent artists were "The Great Jazz Trio", a group that has included Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Hank Jones, Richard Davis, Ron Carter.-Discography:-External links:**...
, 1976) - On the Road (Concord Records, 1976)
- A Work of Art (Concord Records, 1982)
- Warm Valley (Concord Records, 1983)
- Mirage Art Farmer Quintet (Soul Note, 1982)
- Ambrosia (Denon RecordsDenon RecordsDenon Records was a Japanese record label owned by Denon, distributed by A&M Records from 1990 through 1992. This was a reissue program that included 390 jazz and classical music titles that were issued on compact disc.-Artists:*Eliane Elias*Peter Erskine...
, 1983) - Maiden Voyage (Denon, 1983)
- Real Time (Fantasy Records, 1986)
- Back to the City (Fantasy Records, 1986)
- Something to Live For: The Music of Billy Strayhorn (Fantasy Records, 1987)
- Blame It On My Youth (Fantasy Records, 1988)
- Foolish Memories (L&R Records)
- Ph.D. (Fantasy Records, 1989)
- Soul Eyes (Enja RecordsEnja RecordsEnja Records is a German jazz record label based in Munich, Germany. It was founded by jazz enthusiasts Matthias Winckelmann and Horst Weber in 1971....
, 1991) - The Company I Keep (Arabesque Records, 1994)
- The Meaning of Art (Arabesque Records, 1995)
- Out of the Past (GRP Records, 1996)
- Silk Road (Arabesque Records, 1996)
- The Quartets (Hindsight Records, 1997)
- Live at The Stanford Jazz Workshop (Monarch Records, 1997)
- Art Farmer and the Jazz Giants (Fantasy Records, 1998)
- Artistry (Concord Records, 2001) Reissue of A Work of Art and Warm Valley
- At Birdhouse (Verve, 2002)
- What Happens? (CAM, 2005)
- To Duke With Love (East Wind RecordsEast Wind RecordsEast Wind was a Japanese jazz record label.Among their most prominent artists were "The Great Jazz Trio", a group that has included Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Hank Jones, Richard Davis, Ron Carter.-Discography:-External links:**...
) - The Summer Knows (East Wind RecordsEast Wind RecordsEast Wind was a Japanese jazz record label.Among their most prominent artists were "The Great Jazz Trio", a group that has included Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Hank Jones, Richard Davis, Ron Carter.-Discography:-External links:**...
) - At Boomers (Test of Time Records, 2008)
As sideman
With Sonny ClarkSonny Clark
Conrad Yeatis "Sonny" Clark was an American jazz pianist who mainly worked in the hard bop idiom.-Biography:...
- Dial "S" for SonnyDial "S" for SonnyDial "S" for Sonny is the debut album by jazz pianist Sonny Clark recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Clark with Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Hank Mobley, Wilbur Ware, and Louis Hayes...
(1957) - Cool Struttin'Cool Struttin'Cool Struttin' is a 1958 album by jazz pianist Sonny Clark. Described as an "enduring hard-bop classic" by the New York Times, the album features alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, trumpeter Art Farmer and two members of the Miles Davis Quintet, drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Paul Chambers...
(1958)
With Curtis Fuller
Curtis Fuller
Curtis DuBois Fuller is an American jazz trombonist, known as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and contributor to many classic jazz recordings.-Biography:...
- Curtis Fuller Volume 3Curtis Fuller Volume 3Curtis Fuller Volume 3 is an album by American trombonist Curtis Fuller recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label as BLP 1583.-Reception:...
(1957)
With Bennie Green
Bennie Green
Bennie Green was an American jazz trombonist.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Green worked in the orchestras of Earl Hines and Charlie Ventura, and recorded as bandleader through the 1950s and 1960s.-As leader:...
- Bennie Green with Art FarmerBennie Green with Art FarmerBennie Green with Art Farmer is an album by American trombonist Bennie Green with trumpeter Art Farmer recorded in 1956 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:...
(1958)
With Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
- RhythmstickRhythmstickRhythmstick is a 1990 album and video by Dizzy Gillespie and CTI Records All-Stars.-Tracklisting:#"Barbados" #"Friday Night at the Cadillac Club" #"Nana" #"Caribe"...
(1990)
With Clifford Jordan
Clifford Jordan
Clifford Laconia Jordan was a jazz saxophone player. While in Chicago, he performed with Max Roach, Sonny Stitt, and some rhythm and blues groups. He moved to New York City in 1957, after which he recorded three albums for Blue Note. He also recorded with Horace Silver, J.J. Johnson, Kenny...
- Cliff CraftCliff CraftCliff Craft is an album by American jazz saxophonist Cliff Jordan featuring performances recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(1957)
With Gil Mellé
Gil Melle
Gil Mellé was an American artist, jazz musician and film composer.In the 1950s, Mellé's paintings and sculptures were shown in New York galleries and he created the cover art for albums by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins...
- Gil's GuestsGil's GuestsGil's Guests is an album by American saxophonist Gil Mellé recorded in 1956 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars and stated "Baritonist Gil Melle's recordings are usually a bit unusual and this CD reissue is no exception.....
(1956)
With Chico O'Farrill
Chico O'Farrill
Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill was a composer-arranger best known for his work in the Latin idiom, although he also composed straight-ahead jazz pieces and even symphonic works....
- Nine FlagsNine FlagsNine Flags is an album by Cuban composer-arranger Chico O'Farrill featuring performances recorded in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
(Impulse!, 1966)
With Heikki Sarmanto
Heikki Sarmanto
Heikki Veli Uolevi Sarmanto is a Finnish jazz pianist and composer.Sarmanto started playing jazz in the 1960s. He studied first at the Sibelius Academy and later in Berklee College of Music in Boston...
- Many Moons - July ´69 (Louhi Productions 2009) Live recording July 1969 in Jyväskylä, Finland
With Mal Waldron
Mal Waldron
Malcolm Earl Waldron was an American jazz and world music pianist and composer, born in New York City.Like his contemporaries, Waldron's roots lie chiefly in the hard bop and post-bop genres of the New York club scene of the 1950s; but with time, he gravitated more towards free jazz and composition...
- Mal/3: SoundsMal/3: SoundsMal/3: Sounds is an album by American jazz pianist Mal Waldron recorded in 1958 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars stating "The music is not essential but holds one's interest throughout".-Track listing:# "Tension" —...
(1958)
Filmography
- 2003: Jazz Casual - Gerry Mulligan & Art Farmer
- 2003: Ron Carter & Art Farmer: Live at Sweet Basil with Cedar WaltonCedar WaltonCedar Anthony Walton, Junior is an American hard bop jazz pianist.-Biography:Walton grew up in Dallas, Texas. His mother was an aspiring concert pianist, and was Walton's initial teacher. She also took him to jazz performances around Dallas...
and Billy HigginsBilly HigginsBilly Higgins was an American jazz drummer. He played mainly free jazz and hard bop.Higgins was born in Los Angeles, California. Higgins played on Ornette Coleman's first records, beginning in 1958... - 2005: Jazz Masters Series - Art Farmer
- 2007: Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour