Backgrounder: Art Farmer and Hal McKusick, 1956-58

Two of the prettiest and most sophisticated players in the 1950s were trumpeter Art Farmer and alto saxophonist Hal McKusick. They recorded often throughout the decade in big bands and ensembles but they only recorded 19 tracks in the quintet format—two albums in all.

In the years before Hal died, in 2012, we spoke often by phone and saw each other in Sag Harbor, N.Y., where he lived. Hal intuitively understood the importance of what I was doing with JazzWax—documenting jazz legends' stories and providing readers with a learning experience. As a pilot, woodworker, teacher and a dozen other things requiring precision and craft, he sensed that the web was vital and forever. 

Listening to his horn again on this collection of Farmer quintet collaborations, I teared up. I always could instantly identify the sound of his alto saxophone (and clarinet and about six other reed instruments), so hearing it again made him feel near. As the music played, I was reminded of the early years of this blog when I could pick up the phone at any reasonable time of day or evening and reach him for a solid chat on subjects I was exploring for a post and include his first-hand insights. He would often do the same to chat.

Here's the Hal McKusick Quintet featuring Art Farmer, without ad interruptions...