“Portrait of Art Farmer” is a testament to the timeless allure of Jazz, a genre that thrives on innovation and individuality. This album, recorded in 1958, is a standout title in Art Farmer’s prolific catalog of work, showcasing the trumpeter’s lyrical phrasing and inviting tone. Farmer’s artistry shines particularly bright as he performs a blend of moving standards and originals, backed by a rhythm section that includes his twin brother, Addison Farmer, on bass, pianist Hank Jones, and drummer Roy Haynes.
The album is a reflection of Farmer’s journey through the vibrant and creative bop scene of Los Angeles and New York. His work with Lionel Hampton, Gigi Gryce, and Gerry Mulligan had already established his reputation among musicians, and this album was a culmination of his experiences and influences. Farmer’s choice of personnel, tunes, and approach for this album was a testament to his artistic freedom, resulting in a recording that he felt was the best he had made at that stage in his career.
The repertoire alternates between veteran standards and lesser-known material, including three of Farmer’s originals and George Russell’s avant-garde “Nita.” The album also features a particularly strong version of Benny Golson’s “Stablemates.” Each track showcases Farmer’s unique style and approach to the trumpet, from the 12-bar blues of “Back in the Cage” to the up-tempo composition “And Now…” over the chord changes from ‘I Got Rhythm’. His ballad playing, particularly on “The Very Thought of You” and “By Myself,” is refined and elegant, demonstrating his ability to summon fire and craftsmanship in almost perfect accord.
Farmer’s pursuit of musical beauty, or “the perfect note,” as he called it, is evident throughout the album. Even in 1958, Farmer was seemingly moving toward an introspective, reflective style which really blossomed in his later recordings on flugelhorn. His time, harmonic sense, and phraseology did not really change all that much over the years. They simply deepened. This exceptional recording is someway midway along a lengthy personal and musical journey.
In conclusion, “Portrait of Art Farmer” is a snapshot of a moment in time, capturing the essence of a musician who was not just special, but truly one of a kind. It’s a testament to Farmer’s lifelong quest for musical beauty, a quest that led him to create some of the most memorable and influential music in the world of Jazz. This album is not just a portrait of Art Farmer, but a portrait of Jazz itself, in all its elegance, fire, and craftsmanship. It’s an album that sets a listener to thinking many different things, a clear indication that it is indeed something special.
Economy: That what you played had to have meaning, not just a bunch of sixteenth notes. You learn to make better choices of notes as you get older.
— Art Farmer