Tal Farlow

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tal Farlow

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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Talmage Holt Farlow
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Born = June 7, 1921
Died = July 25, 1998 (aged 77), New York City, New York
Origin = Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Instrument = Guitar
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Genre = Mainstream jazz, bebop, cool jazz
Occupation = Guitarist
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Associated_acts = Red Norvo, Artie Shaw
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Talmage Holt Farlow (June 7, 1921 – July 25, 1998) was a jazz guitarist

He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1921. Nearly as famous for his reluctance to perform publicly as for his outstanding abilities, Tal did not take up the instrument until he was already 21, but within a year was playing professionally and in 1948 was with Marjorie Hyams' band. While with the Red Norvo Trio (which originally included Charles Mingus) from 1949–1953, Farlow became famous in the jazz world. His huge hands and ability to play rapid yet light lines, which earned him the nickname "Octopus", made him one of the top guitarists of the era. After six months with Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five in 1953, Farlow put together his own group, which for a time included pianist Eddie Costa. In 1958, Farlow retired from full-time performing and settled in Sea Bright, New Jersey, returning to a career as a sign painter. He continued to play occasional dates in local clubs, however.DeStefano, Lorenzo. [http://www.talfarlowfilm.com/home.htm Talmadge Farlow] . Accessed July 3, 2008.] His fame endured and in 1962 the Gibson Guitar Corporation, with Farlow's participation, produced the "Tal Farlow" model in their prestigious Artist Model line. This guitar can be seen in the picture at right. He only made one record as a leader during 1960–1975, but emerged a bit more often during 1976–1984, recording for Concord fairly regularly before largely disappearing again. He was profiled in the documentary film, "Talmage Farlow", made in 1980/81. The guitarist can be heard on his own records for Blue Note (1954), Verve, Prestige (1969), and Concord. He died of cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City on July 25, 1998 at the age of 77. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9800EFDF1638F93BA15754C0A96E958260 "Tal Farlow, 77, Jazz Guitarist Rooted in Bop"] , "The New York Times", July 28, 1988. Accessed July 3, 2008.]

elect Discography

* "The Tal Farlow Quartet (1954; Blue Note)
* "The Tal Farlow Album (1954; Norgran)
* "The Artistry of Tal Farlow (1955; Norgran)
* "The Interpretations of Tal Farlow (1955; Norgran)
* "A Recital by Tal Farlow (1955; Norgran)
* "Swing Guitars (1955; Norgran)
* "Tal (1956; Norgran)
* "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow (1957; Verve Records)
* "This is Tal Farlow (1958; Verve)
* "The Guitar Artistry of Tal Farlow (1960; Verve)
* "Tal Farlow plays the music of Harold Arlen (1960; Verve)
* "The Return of Tal Farlow (1969; Prestige Records)
* "Tal Farlow Guitar Player (1974; Prestige)
* "Trinity (1976; CBS Sony)
* "Fuerst Set (1977; Xanadu Records)
* "Second Set (1977; Xanadu Records)
* "A Sign of the Times (1977; Concord Records)
* "Tal Farlow '78 (1978; Concord Records)
* "On Stage (1981; Concord Records)
* "Chromatic Palette (1981; Concord Records)
* "Cookin' on all Burners (1983; Concord Records)
* "Poppin' and Burnin' (1984; Verve)
* "The Legendary Tal Farlow (1985; Concord Records)
* "All Strings Attached (1987; JazzVisions)
* "Standards Recital (1993; FD Music)
* " (1993; Evidence Records)
* "Jazz Masters 41 Tal Farlow (1995; Verve)
* "Tal Farlow (1996; Giants of Jazz)
* "Chance Meeting (1997; Guitarchives TAL FARLOW & LENNY BREAU - MUSIC FROM THE SOUNDTRACK OF "TALMAGE FARLOW".)
* "Live at the Public Theatre (2000; Productions A-Propos THE TAL FARLOW TRIO (w/ Tommy Flanagan & Red Mitchell - MUSIC FROM THE SOUNDTRACK OF "TALMAGE FARLOW".)
* "Tal Farlow's Finest Hour (2001; Verve)
* "Tal's Blues (2002; Past Perfect)
* "Two Guys with Guitars (2004; Frozen Sky Records)
* "The Complete Verve Tal Farlow Sessions (2004; Mosaic)

References

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jifixqt5ld0e Tal Farlow page] at Allmusic
* [http://www.talfarlowfilm.com "Tal Farlow" film site]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13362282 "Tal Farlow"] at Find A Grave