And how can man die better

Than facing fearful odds, 

For the ashes of his fathers,

And the temples of his gods?

 

 

13 years ago this week A Celebration of the Musical Life of Art Farmer was held at Saint Peter's Church in New York City. It was a beautiful event at which few words were spoken, but much music was played…Read more

"If you're good at something,
never do it for free!"
—The Joker

"Don't ask for what the next guy gets.
As for what you think you're worth."
—Art Farmer

"People don’t pay you as long as you’re
… Read more

"Always do right.
This will gratify some people
and astonish the rest."
—Mark Twain

"Be careful of your actions.
You never know when
you're creating a memory."
—Rickie Lee Jones

"Just do your best.… Read more

So much of what we live goes on inside–

The diaries of grief, the tongue-tied aches

Of unacknowledged love are no less real
For having passed unsaid. What we conceal

Is always more than what we…Read more

On This Day
August 5, 1996

Art Farmer Live At Stanford Jazz Workshop
Concert & Recording
Stanford, California

In case you missed it, here's my recent radio interview,
discussing the Sound of the Flugelhorn with Blaise Lantana
on the Phoenix NPR affiliate KJZZ 91.5 FM.

"Art Farmer is real good, but he has to get his tone together."
—Miles Davis
Downbeat Magazine
November 2, 1955

"I’m no hero. I’m nice to people where it pays me to be nice.
I do it enough on the outside. Don’t expect me to do it in my own office."
—Sidney Falco

"Heroes in the real world… Read more

"When you try to make the changes, you lose momentum.
Don't try. Don't think. Just listen and play what you hear."
—Art Farmer

"Don't think you are, know you are!
Stop trying to hit me and hit… Read more

"Enjoyment is not such a constant in music as some people think. It's not that I actually enjoy what I do every night, or every set, or every song. I enjoy the quest — but the attainment is a very…Read more

In order for me to be consistent as a trumpet player, I try to practice every day, for at least two or three hours. Oh, I’ve been in certain grooves when I said: “Well, I don’t need to practice”,… Read more

"I don't have any great love for Chicago.
What the hell, a childhood around Douglas Park isn't very memorable.
I left Chicago a long time ago."
—Benny Goodman

"The desert is so pretty, especially at sunset.
… Read more

"Exponential growth looks like nothing is happening.
Then suddenly you get this explosion at the end."
—Ray Kurzweil

"We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution."
—Bill Hicks

"Practice your long tones."
—Art Farmer

"The code of the road is: if there is anything to eat, eat;
if there is a place to sit, sit; if there is a restroom, go."
—Jessica Savitch

"The one thing I regret was that my work… Read more

"You're only as good as your last picture."
—Humphrey Bogart

"You're only as good as your last envelope."
—Silvio Dante

"You're only as good as your last rhythm section."
—Art Farmer

THIS is a terrific example of my mentor's beautiful flugel sound and brilliant approach to improvisation. From the Creed Taylor film Rhythmstick -- Art Farmer, Romero Lubambo and Airto perform "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise," with an introduction by…Read more