Jazz Articles about Bill McFarland

Bill McFarland and the Chicago Horns: Fire Horns

by Jack Bowers
July 1, 1999

Hard–hitting is the word that springs immediately to mind when listening to trombonist Bill McFarland’s Chicago Horns. Although McFarland and his companions aren’t mired in a time warp, their highly rhythmic, no–nonsense approach often recalls the dynamic hard–bopping groups led by Art Blakey, Horace Silver and others during the swinging ’50s, ’60s and beyond. They are carrying on the tradition, and that is good. What the Horns don’t have — and this is not meant to disparage their competence — ...