Art Farmer (b. 1928 - d. 1999) was one of
jazz
music's steadiest
trumpters,
performing and teaching from his early years up until
his death. He had a very
melodic, and I'd say
introspective style. In his solos he
eschewed
some of the more fiery
licks of many contemporary
trumpeters in favor of well-constructed and
intellectual lines.
Farmer began his career in big bands led by Jay
McShann and Benny Carter. His famous collaboration
with Benny Golson began in 1959 with the formation
of the Jazztet, which included Curtis Fuller on the
trombone and Farmer's twin Addison Farmer on bass.
During this time Farmer also switched to playing the mellow-toned flugelhorn. The Jazztet disbanded
after a few years, but then reformed in 1982 with
Golson and Fuller and a young rhythm section.
In these later years Farmer was most pleased with
his tone on the flumpet, a crossbreed of the
trumpet and flugelhorn.
In 1968 Farmer moved to Vienna where he was
able to find more work. He received a music Ph.D.
and was a very successful trumpet teacher.