Customer Reviews

Eight by Eight

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Years ago, my high school Band Director introduced me to the talents of Don Fagerquist as he played a Les Brown record where Don did an exquisite solo on "Love Is Here To Stay". I was immediately impressed by the many facets of his artistry: great tone, sensitive & expressive styling, flawless technique, nimble agility, a wealth of ideas from which to draw, etc. All of this was enhanced by an underlying creativity that produced clear melodic ideas that were beautifully turned into highly unified streams of lyricism. Listen to Don's solos--they always make sense! In addition, Don has a way of elaborating the melody with delightful little turns and inflections that really add a tasty quality without losing sight of the tune. I continued to try to follow his playing as much as I could--catching glimpses of him on various jazz albums or on the Danny Kaye show studio orchestra. Fortunately, there have been recent reprints on CD of these wonderful recordings like this one so we can continued to listen and learn from these great jazz artists. For this recording, Don chose some wonderful company in the likes of Marty Paich (piano & arranger), Herb Geller (alto), Ronnie Lang (bari), Mel Lewis (drums), and Ed Leddy (trumpet, of Stan Kenton fame). These players also get ample opportunity to display their skills. Though he is gone, Don will never be forgotton. I hope younger players will listen and emulate him.

Don Fagerquist came up the hard way. The big bands and long bus rides were his conservatory. The discipline required is extraordinary, but if one keeps his ears open and listens to his section mates, he learns as much about music as any aspirant studying at the feet of Schnabel or Solti. To this we must add talent, of course. And in Fagerquist we find an extremely talented, trained musician able to play almost anything. That he chose jazz as his primary vehicle of expression demands good taste if one is to be a major player. When you listen to FQ, you hear a musician's musician playing what the music--not the audience--demands. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and especially its last eight bars, is a perfect example of the sublime. There are many others on this recording, but that is the one that comes to mind immediately. Bravura playing? With Fagerquist, technical virtuosity serves the music. He was a musician who happened to be a trumpeter. And, unfortunately, this is the only example of his playing recorded under his name that is in print. What a pity!

I'm a host on a radio Jazz show. Have collected all of Don Fagerquist's work. His talent was underrated. His breath control was awesome. His taste impeccable. Ranks as among the finest lyrical players in the history of Jazz. This album proves how versatile he was. His vibrato work on slow tunes brings meaning to a song. Most memorable...and the man can swing with the best. Fagerquist was notable for his phrasing; filled with a creation of notes that go unchallenged. This album gets my highest recommendation !!

Although Don Fagerquist appeared on a number of recordings with the likes of Gene Krupa, Artie Shaw, Les Brown, and numerous West Coast modern musicians, this was his only album under his own leadership. (He died in 1974 of kidney disease, aged 46.) He had a beautiful trumpet tone, crystal clear and very lyrical - very similar to Bobby Hackett's, but with a modern style. The two ballads here (SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES and EASY LIVING) showcase his gorgeous sound. He doesn't play with a mute once on this entire CD. Pianist/arranger Marty Paich is much in control here and it's a toss-up over where the spotlight shines: on Don's playing or Marty's arrangements. Herb Geller is on alto and is featured somewhat on LULLABY OF BROADWAY (the other players don't get to solo too much); his playing is crisp and swinging. A very nice album; one wishes Fagerquist had recorded more in his short lifetime.

Don Fagerquist hit the road in his teens and was a featured soloist with Gene Krupa by the time he was 20. He was a brilliant, brilliant talent. He spent most of his time in big bands and in West Coast studios. Most people--even trumpet players--never heard of him. But he could play! And he could make the horn sing. His solos here are lyrical, tasteful, thoughtful and well constructed. He had lots of chops, but they never got in the way of the music. Kids who are learning to play jazz trumpet who think that Arturo Sandoval or Wynton are the last word should listen to the spare beauty of Don's solo on "All The Things You Are" or "I Hear Music". The other soloists, save Herb Geller, are not up to Don's level. And the arrangements sound a bit mannered and, even with Mel Lewis at the drums, a little stiff. But this is about Don Fagerquist. The Greatest Unknown Trumpet Player You Ever Heard.

Don Fagerquist... largely unknown, but highly appreciated by those who did know of him. His solos in the old Les Brown orchestra were fabulous, as was his work with another member of the old LB orchestra, Dave Pell, tenor sax. Don worked with Pell in the Dave Pell octet, and in this CD is featured in his own group. His fluid solos are wonderfully expressive and oh so smooth. If you like jazz, and great trumpet playing, this is the CD for you....

Music to fill incomplete jazz records collections this might have been called. Because no jazz collections (or at least west coast jazz collections) is complete without this one. Don Fagerquist is an unknown genius of the jazz trumpet. He recorded only this album under his own name and what a shame that has been. This album is a stellar west coast jazz album from the fifties. Don's perfect intonation, his brilliant melodic inventions will bring tears in your eyes for the beauty this unbelievable lost talent could play with his instrument. He graced a lot of recordings from jazz musicians of the west coast in the fifties so you probably already listened to his music but don't lose the opportunity to own his own only album. The program is based on common standards. What is REALLY uncommon is Don's talent. Believe me. You HAVE TO OWN THIS. Thanks to V.S.O.P for reissueing these masterpieces from the fifties. Absolutly to have if you love jazz, west coast jazz and jazz trumpet in particular.

Don was a good friend of my husbands and they played and partied together for a long time on bands, side by side both playing trumpet. This was Don's first attempt at his own LP and the CD is smooth and done beautifully. Proud to own it! Whoever did it, did a great job putting it on CD. Thanks