ART FARMER
Farmer's Market (Original Jazz Classics)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Farmer's Market, by the wonderful trumpet player Art Farmer, is one of those recordings where everything clicks. The solos are excellent, the song selection inspired, and the arrangements interesting. Farmer was joined for this 1956 session by the great Hank Mobley on tenor saxophone, Kenny Drew on piano, his brother Addison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. This is one all-star quintet that actually delivered what it promised.

Farmer had a lyrical style on trumpet that never lacked for musical inspiration. His imagination and daring produced wonderful and to-the-point solos. On this recording Farmer cooked, displaying both a wistful sound on ballads and a masterful approach on the uptempo numbers. Hank Mobley, as always, flat out smoked as he reeled off several solos that demonstrated he was at the top of his game. His solos were both vibrant yet versatile, passionate yet tender. The rhythm section played first class all the way.

My favorite tracks are two songs involving the full quintet, the opening number "With Prestige" and the title tune "Farmer's Market." In addition, "Reminiscing" where Mobley drops out leaving Farmer as the only horn, is another great ballad. Art Farmer led the session for Farmer's Market was when he was 28 years old and finally hitting his stride. Farmer would shortly go on to produce several classic bop recording, including Meet The Jazztet and Portrait Of Art Farmer. This session is a can't miss purchase for lovers of great, straight ahead jazz. All the musicians are on the same page, producing ebullient music that has stood the test of time.

© 2001 - Ron Saranich