Tal Farlow
Encyclopedia
Talmage Holt Farlow was an American
jazz
guitarist
. Nicknamed the "Octopus", Farlow's extremely large hands spread over the fretboard as if they were tentacles. He is considered one of the all-time great jazz guitarists. Michael G. Nastos writes, "In 1956 he was named by Down Beat magazine critics as the very best jazz guitarist in the world, and for all the right reasons. Where other similar players of his day combined rhythmic chords with linear melodies, Farlow preferred placing single notes together in clusters, varying between harmonically richened tones based on a startling new technique. His spider-like fingers handled the guitar in a way no other player could match, and this physical approach set Farlow apart from all others." A supreme technician, renowned for his articulation, and smooth relaxed phrasing even at the most daunting tempos. Guitarist Dan Axelrod remarked, "He was without peers. His inventiveness, drive, and technique were so heads and tails above his contemporaries that only comparisons to the likes of Art Tatum
and Charlie Parker
could do him justice."
in 1921. Nearly as famous for his reluctance to perform publicly as for his outstanding abilities, he did not take up the instrument until he was 21,(actually... his father introduced him to the mandolin, which was tuned in fourths instead of fifths, where he showed Tal a few basic chords. from here he was self taught. He switched the a full size guitar as a teenager, around the time he started working as a sign painter(a fall back source of cash for many years). but within a year (by which is meant, after several years of working as a part time giging musician in his home town) was playing professionally and in 1948 was with Marjorie Hyams
' band. While with the Red Norvo Trio (which originally included Charles Mingus
) from 1949–1953, Farlow became famous in the jazz world. His huge hands and ability to play rapid yet light lines, which earned him the nickname "Octopus", made him one of the top guitarists of the era. After six months with Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five in 1953, Farlow put together his own group, which for a time included pianist Eddie Costa
.
In 1958, Farlow retired from full-time performing and settled in Sea Bright, New Jersey
, returning to a career as a sign painter. He continued to play occasional dates in local clubs, however. In 1962 the Gibson Guitar Corporation
, with Farlow's participation, produced the "Tal Farlow" model in their prestigious Artist Model line. The guitar seen in the picture at right is a prototype model. The production model has a mandolin-style scroll at the top of the body.
Farlow only made one record as a leader during 1960–1975, but emerged a bit more often during 1976–1984, recording for Concord
fairly regularly before largely disappearing again. He was profiled in the documentary film, Talmage Farlow, made in 1980/81. The guitarist can be heard on his records for Blue Note
(a 10" LP in 1954), Norgran (later Verve
, 1954-60), and Prestige
(1969), aa well those for Concord. He died of cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
in New York City
on July 25, 1998 at the age of 77.
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...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. Nicknamed the "Octopus", Farlow's extremely large hands spread over the fretboard as if they were tentacles. He is considered one of the all-time great jazz guitarists. Michael G. Nastos writes, "In 1956 he was named by Down Beat magazine critics as the very best jazz guitarist in the world, and for all the right reasons. Where other similar players of his day combined rhythmic chords with linear melodies, Farlow preferred placing single notes together in clusters, varying between harmonically richened tones based on a startling new technique. His spider-like fingers handled the guitar in a way no other player could match, and this physical approach set Farlow apart from all others." A supreme technician, renowned for his articulation, and smooth relaxed phrasing even at the most daunting tempos. Guitarist Dan Axelrod remarked, "He was without peers. His inventiveness, drive, and technique were so heads and tails above his contemporaries that only comparisons to the likes of Art Tatum
Art Tatum
Arthur "Art" Tatum, Jr. was an American jazz pianist and virtuoso who played with phenomenal facility despite being nearly blind.Tatum is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time...
and Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
could do him justice."
Biography
Farlow was born in Greensboro, North CarolinaGreensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
in 1921. Nearly as famous for his reluctance to perform publicly as for his outstanding abilities, he did not take up the instrument until he was 21,(actually... his father introduced him to the mandolin, which was tuned in fourths instead of fifths, where he showed Tal a few basic chords. from here he was self taught. He switched the a full size guitar as a teenager, around the time he started working as a sign painter(a fall back source of cash for many years). but within a year (by which is meant, after several years of working as a part time giging musician in his home town) was playing professionally and in 1948 was with Marjorie Hyams
Margie Hyams
Marjorie "Marjie" Hyams, , a noted vibraphonist, pianist and arranger, had her own trio and quartet [from 1940-1944] played with Woody Herman and Flip Phillips in the mid 1940s. She formed another trio with such noted guitarists as Tal Farlow, Mundell Lowe, and Billy Bauer from 1945 to 1948...
' band. While with the Red Norvo Trio (which originally included Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
) from 1949–1953, Farlow became famous in the jazz world. His huge hands and ability to play rapid yet light lines, which earned him the nickname "Octopus", made him one of the top guitarists of the era. After six months with Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five in 1953, Farlow put together his own group, which for a time included pianist Eddie Costa
Eddie Costa
Eddie Costa, , was an American jazz pianist and vibraphonist born in Atlas, Pennsylvania near Mount Carmel, PA in Northumberland County....
.
In 1958, Farlow retired from full-time performing and settled in Sea Bright, New Jersey
Sea Bright, New Jersey
Sea Bright is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,412.Sea Bright was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 21, 1889, from portions of Ocean Township, based on the results of a...
, returning to a career as a sign painter. He continued to play occasional dates in local clubs, however. In 1962 the Gibson Guitar Corporation
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
, with Farlow's participation, produced the "Tal Farlow" model in their prestigious Artist Model line. The guitar seen in the picture at right is a prototype model. The production model has a mandolin-style scroll at the top of the body.
Farlow only made one record as a leader during 1960–1975, but emerged a bit more often during 1976–1984, recording for Concord
Concord Records
Concord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
fairly regularly before largely disappearing again. He was profiled in the documentary film, Talmage Farlow, made in 1980/81. The guitarist can be heard on his records for Blue Note
Blue note
In jazz and blues, a blue note is a note sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than that of the major scale for expressive purposes. Typically the alteration is a semitone or less, but this varies among performers and genres. Country blues, in particular, features wide variations from the...
(a 10" LP in 1954), Norgran (later Verve
Verve Records
Verve 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...
, 1954-60), and Prestige
Prestige Records
Prestige 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...
(1969), aa well those for Concord. He died of cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on July 25, 1998 at the age of 77.
Discography
- The Tal Farlow Quartet (1954; Blue NoteBlue noteIn jazz and blues, a blue note is a note sung or played at a slightly lower pitch than that of the major scale for expressive purposes. Typically the alteration is a semitone or less, but this varies among performers and genres. Country blues, in particular, features wide variations from the...
) - The Tal Farlow Album (1954; Norgran)
- The Artistry of Tal Farlow (1955; Norgran)
- The Interpretations of Tal Farlow (1955; Norgran)
- A Recital by Tal Farlow (1955; Norgran)
- Swing Guitars (1955; Norgran)
- Poppin' and Burnin' (1955; VerveVerve 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...
) - Guitar PlayerGuitar Player (Tal Farlow album)Guitar Player is a studio album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow. Sides 1 and 2 were recorded in October 1955 while the other half of the double album wasn't recorded until September 1969...
(1974; PrestigePrestige 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...
) - TalTal (Tal Farlow album)Tal is an album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, released in 1956.Originally released on Norman Granz's Norgran label, it was subsequently released by Verve...
(1956; Norgran) - Fuerst Set (1956; Xanadu RecordsXanadu RecordsXanadu Records was a jazz music record label specializing in bebop throughout the 1970s and 1980s founded by Don Schlitten, recording and issuing recordings by some legendary names in jazz music.-Discography:...
) - Second Set (1956; Xanadu)
- Metronome All-Stars, 1956 VerveVerve 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...
MGV 8030 - The Swinging Guitar of Tal FarlowThe Swinging Guitar of Tal FarlowThe Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow is an album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, released in 1957.-Track listing:#"Taking a Chance on Love" – 4:43#"Yardbird Suite" – 5:15...
(1957; Verve) - This is Tal Farlow (1958; Verve)
- The Guitar Artistry of Tal Farlow (1960; Verve)
- Tal Farlow Plays the Music of Harold Arlen (1960; Verve)
- The Return of Tal FarlowThe Return of Tal FarlowThe Return of Tal Farlow is an album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, released in 1969.-Track listing:#"Straight, No Chaser" – 6:24#"Darn That Dream" – 4:25...
(1969; Prestige Records) - Trinity (1976; CBS Sony)
- A Sign of the Times (1977; ConcordConcord RecordsConcord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
) - Tal Farlow '78 (1978; Concord)
- On Stage (1981; Concord)
- Chromatic PaletteChromatic PaletteChromatic Palette is an album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, released in 1981.- Track listing :# "All Alone" – 4:09# "Nuages" – 5:53# "I Hear a Rhapsody" – 3:19...
(1981; Concord) - Cookin' on all BurnersCookin' on all BurnersCookin' on all Burners is an album by American jazz guitarist Tal Farlow, released in 1983.- Track listing :# "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" – 3:29# "If I Should Lose You" – 5:00...
(1983; Concord) - The Legendary Tal Farlow (1985; Concord)
- All Strings Attached (1987; JazzVisions)
- Standards Recital (1993; FD Music)
- Project G-5: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery (1993; Evidence Records)
- Jazz Masters 41 Tal Farlow (1995; Verve)
- Tal Farlow (1996; Giants of JazzGiants of JazzThe Giants of Jazz was a jazz all-star group of the 1970s which featured Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Al McKibbon, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Stitt, and Kai Winding. They recorded albums for Atlantic Records, Concord Records. and Emarcy Records....
) - Chance MeetingChance MeetingChance Meeting is an album by jazz guitarists Tal Farlow and Lenny Breau, released in 1997.-History:While being profiled in a PBS documentary, it was suggested to Farlow that he be paired with a younger jazz guitarist. He suggested Breau and the two guitarists performed this set at a small...
(1997; Guitarchives Tal Farlow & Lenny Breau - Music from the Soundtrack of Talmage Farlow.) - Live at the Public Theatre (2000; Productions A-Propos The Tal Farlow Trio (with Tommy Flanagan & Red Mitchell - Music from the Soundtrack of Talmage Farlow.)
- Tal Farlow's Finest Hour (2001; Verve)
- Tal's Blues (2002; Past Perfect)
- Two Guys with Guitars (2004; Frozen Sky Records)
- The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions (2004; MosaicMosaic RecordsMosaic Records is an American specialist jazz record label, founded in 1983 by Michael Cuscuna and Charlie Lourie to issue coherent limited edition box sets of jazz recordings by individual musicians, which had fallen out-of-print...
)
External links
- [ Tal Farlow page] at Allmusic
- [ Tal Farlow film site]
- [ Tal Farlow] at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...