Customer Reviews

When Farmer Met Gryce

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Art Farmer and Gigi Gryce's "When Farmer Met Gryce" is one of the best pre-Jazztet recordings by the great, late trumpeter. Originally released as two 10-inch LPs, "When Farmer Meets Gryce" is actually two sessions. The first four tunes are from a May 19, 1954 performance featuring the rhythm trio of Horace Silver, Percy Heath and Kenny Clarke, and tracks 5-8 are from a May 26, 1955 date with Freddie Redd, Art's brother Addison and Art Taylor. Of course, Art plays trumpet and Gigi Gryce is on alto sax on both sessions. All eight of the disc's compositions were penned by Gryce, who along with Farmer's future Jazztet co-founder Benny Golson, was one of Prestige's (and the late 50s jazz scene in general) best writer/arrangers. "When Farmer Met Gryce" was truly a momentous event.

You just can't beat this sound and feeling. Art Farmer and Gigi Gryce are a perfect match. They are an ideal tonal and stylistic compliment to each other, and conceptually are so in their element on "Farmer Met Gryce".

"A Night At Tony's" gives a great example of the essence of Gigi Gryce's composition and outlook on music - brilliantly jubilant, direct, innovative and yet not beyond the ear's reach. "Blue Lights" is a delightful minor blues; fans of "Blues and the Abstract Truth" should check that out. "The Infant's Song" is a wonderful show of arranging techinque - Gigi Gryce's counterline doesn't interfere with the tender melody played by Art Farmer - a difficult feat at a slow, exposed tempo. A must-listen for any alto/trumpet frontline.

Two 10 inch Lp's on 1 CD with suprisingly good sound quality for the early '50s. Believe what the other reviewers say. It's a good one,as is EVENING IN CASABLANCA with Duke Jordan on piano. For more Gigi see Mal Waldron- MAL 1- with Idrees Sullieman on trumpet. Check out- MAL 2-while your at it. Hear Jackie McLean blow Coltrane away on Falling in Love with Love.--Art Farmer is at his brassiest best on the Gerry Mulligan pianoless quartet session WHAT IS THERE TO SAY. Art may blow Chet away this once, but Mulligan's deep almost Adams like tone is a good counter part.

When Farmer Met Gryce is a flawless jazz recording. Delivering clean, well crafted solos and playing perfectly together with their superb sidemen, Gigi Gryce and Art Farmer made truly, great modern music that is at once refreshingly accessible and completely void of cliche.

"When Farmer Met Gryce" is the classic pairing of two astounding jazz masters: trumpeter Art Farmer and alto saxophonist/composer Gigi Gryce. They are backed either by Horace Silver or Freddie Redd on piano, Percy Heath on bass, and Art Taylor or Kenny Clarke on drums. This is bebop at it's finest played by some of the best in business. You won't be disappointed if you dig bebop. Highly recommended.

Special recommendations if you dig this recording: "The Art Farmer Quintet (featuring Gigi Gryce), "Gigi Gryce And The Jazz Lab Quintet," and anything that involved Gigi Gryce. This alto saxophonist/composer didn't stay on the jazz scene that long, but he his body of work is remarkable.

Every song a knockout. I never tire of any composition. Hear these songs in random play on my ipod shuffle and I'm always astounded by the kick I get out of each song. This compilation of Gigi Gyce and Art Farmer is a must for every classic jazz collection.