The Jazztet

The Jazztet
The Jazztet in 1985
The Jazztet in 1985
Background information
OriginUnited States
Genres
Years active1959–1962; 1982–late 1980s[1]
Past members
  • Art Farmer
  • Benny Golson
  • Curtis Fuller
  • Mccoy Tyner
  • Addison Farmer
  • Dave Bailey

The Jazztet was a jazz sextet, co-founded in 1959 by trumpeter Art Farmer and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, always featuring the founders along with a trombonist and a piano-bass-drums rhythm section. In its first phase, the Jazztet lasted until 1962, and helped to launch the careers of pianist McCoy Tyner and trombonist Grachan Moncur III. Farmer and Golson revived the group in 1982 and it again toured extensively.[2] Each generation of the group recorded six albums, which were released on a variety of labels.

The Jazztet was "famous for nicely structured, precise yet soulful pieces and a swinging style".[3] It benefitted from having a set of strong compositions by Golson, including "I Remember Clifford", "Whisper Not", "Blues March", "Killer Joe" and "Five Spot After Dark".[4] While Golson also provided many of the arrangements, Farmer took the largest share of the soloing responsibilities.[5]

  1. ^ Koch, Lawrence "Jazztet" In Kernfeld, Barry (ed.), The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2nd ed.) Grove Music Online / Oxford Music Online. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  2. ^ Feather, Leonard & Gitler, Ira (2007) The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz, p. 261. Oxford University Press.
  3. ^ Wynn, Ron "The Jazztet: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  4. ^ Wilson, John S. (July 1, 1982) "Jazztet's Reunion Mixes the Old and the New" New York Times.
  5. ^ Morgan, Alun. In McCarthy, Albert; Morgan, Alun; Oliver, Paul; and Harrison, Max (1968) Jazz on Record: A Critical Guide to the First 50 Years: 1917–1967, p. 99. Hanover Books.