Muted Art
During the years in which Art Farmer (1928-1999) played trumpet as his main horn, his muted work was a pleasure to hear. After he switched to flugelhorn in the early 1960s, his playing took on greater lyricism and depth, but because there were no flugelhorn mutes, a satisfying aspect of his sound went by the wayside. Then, in the late '70s he found a technician who was able to convert a trombone mute so that the flugel could accommodate it. Here's Farmer on muted flugelhorn in 1982 with a superb rhythm section: Fred Hersch, piano; Dennis Irwin, bass; Billy Hart, drums.
I have posted this video before—but not for a couple of years—and no doubt will again. We play favorite records often. Why not favorite videos? Art's ending cadenza alone would be worth the return visit.
For the previous “Blue Monk" appearance, other Art Farmer videos and reflections on his importance, go here.
