When it comes to modern trumpet players, the emphasis has always been on chops, as in Freddie Hubbard or Lee Morgan. Art Farmer, while able to hit sizzle with the best, also possessed the warmest tone for the horn, kind of like the trumpet answer to Stan Getz. This four disc collection brings together eight albums of jazz beauty.
His first album of the 1960s Teams him with the swinging team of Tommy Flanagan/p, Tommy Williams/b and Albert Heath/dr getting luscious on ballads like “So Beats My Heart” and giving some swagger to “Out of the Past”. In 1961 He’s alongside Harold Mabern/p, Tommy Williams/b and Roy McCurdy/dr for a mix of originals like “Punsu” and “Kayin’” as well as a sleek read of “Lullaby of the leaves ”He teams up with cool toned guitarist Jim Hall along with Walter Perkins/dr and Steve Swallow/b for some classy and sophisticated takes of “By Myself” and “Embraceable You”. The same year Farmer is backed by an orchestra conducted by Oliver Nelson, and has Farmer glistening on the uptempo “Rain Check” and “Fly Me To The Moon”
Next year in 1964 finds Farmer inspired by his tour of Sweden and taking on the Great Swedish Song Book” with cool and clean takes of traditional material such as “The Fine Crystal” and ”Midsummer Song” with Hall, Swallow and Pete LaROca/dr. The same year Farmer brings together an all star team of Ben Webster/ts, Charles McPherson/as, Don Elliott/vib, George Duvivier/b, Tony Scott/cl and Osie Johnson/dr for a collection tunes from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, with delightful takes of “Summertime” and “Bess, You Is My Woman”,. In 1965 Farmer gives a subdued and subtle session with Steve Kuhn/p, LaRoca and Swallow for gentle atmospheric pieces like “Petite Belle” and “Tears”. Every moment here is the epitome of taste and style.