Art Farmer Plays the Arrangements and Compositions of Gigi Gryce and Quincy Jones
In 1953, when these very fine recordings began, Art Farmer was still only 25 years old, but he had already been recognized for his engaging, balanced, and reserved playing. It was lyrical and warm at whatever tempo. On trumpet and flügelhorn, he softened hard bop into an individual style that was accommodating and open. He relaxed into tunes, then produced crystal clarity and sentiment while remaining close to a tonal center. Those qualities are apparent on these recordings, made over three years just after Farmer had moved to New York from L.A.'s Central Avenue scene. They feature choice performances by an evolving lineup that included such fine players as Charlie Rouse on tenor,Quincy JonesandHorace Silveron piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Art Taylor on drums.--Peter Monaghan