Articles by Jon Block

Art Farmer: Work of Art

by Jon Block
April 2, 2023

My favorite (jazz) album is The Art Farmer Septet (1956 Prestige PRLP 7031 of 1953-54 sessions previously released on 10" disks). It features the arrangements and compositions of Art Farmer, Gigi Gryce and Quincy Jones. It still makes me move and groove, from the first clave click on the steaming hot Afro-Cuban “Mau Mau" all the way through to Gryce's equally toe-tapping “Tiajuana," the playing is absolutely stellar. In addition to Art, Quincy and Gigi, the album offers a rich ...