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Biography
Infobox musical artist| name = Tal Farlow| image = Tal_Farlow_5.jpg| caption =| image_size =| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist| birth_name = Talmage Holt Farlow| alias =| Born = June 7, 1921| Died = July 25, 1998 (aged 77), New York City , New York | origin = Greensboro, North Carolina , United States|USA | instrument = Guitar | genre = Mainstream jazz , bebop , cool jazz | occupation = Guitarist , Sign Painter| years_active =| label =| associated_acts = Red Norvo , Artie Shaw | website =| current_members =| past_members =| notable_instruments = Talmage Holt Farlow (June 7, 1921 & ndash; July 25, 1998) was an United States|American jazz guitar ist. Nicknamed the "Octopus", for his extremely large hands spread over the fretboard as if they were tentacles, he is considered one of the all-time great jazz guitarists. Where other similar players of his day combined rhythmic chords with linear melodies, Farlow preferred placing single notes together in clusters, varying between harmonically richened tones based on a startling new technique.
Biography
Farlow was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1921. Nearly as famous for his reluctance to perform publicly as for his outstanding abilities, he did not take up the instrument until he was 21, (actually, his father introduced him to the mandolin , which is tuned in fifths instead of fourths, where he showed Tal a few basic chords. from here he was self taught. He switched the a full size guitar as a teenager, around the time he started working as a sign painter(a fall back source of cash for many years). but within a year (by which is meant, after several years of working as a part time giging musician in his home town) was playing professionally and in 1948 was with Margie Hyams|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. Talmadge Farlow. Accessed July 3, 2008. In 1962 the Gibson Guitar Corporation , with Farlow's participation, produced the "Tal Farlow" model in their prestigious Artist Model line. The guitar seen in the picture at right is a prototype model. The production model has a mandolin-style scroll at the top of the body.
Farlow only made one record as a leader during 1960–1975, but emerged a bit more often during 1976–1984, recording for Concord Records|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 records for Blue Note (a 10" LP in 1954), Norgran (later Verve Records|Verve , 1954–60), and Prestige Records|Prestige (1969), aa well those for Concord. He died of cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City on July 25, 1998 at the age of 77. "Tal Farlow, 77, Jazz Guitarist Rooted in Bop", The New York Times , July 28, 1988. Accessed July 3, 2008.
Discography
The Tal Farlow Quartet (1954; Blue Note )
The Tal Farlow Album (1954; Norgran Records|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)
'' Poppin' and Burnin' (1955; Verve Records|Verve )
Guitar Player (Tal Farlow album)|Guitar Player (1974; Prestige Records|Prestige )
Project G-5: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery (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 (with 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 Records|Mosaic )
References
Reflist
External links
Allmusic|class=artist|id=p6485|pure_url=yes Tal Farlow page at Allmusic
Tal Farlow film site
Tal Farlow at Find A Grave
Persondata | NAME =Farlow, Tal | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =June 7, 1921 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH =July 25, 1998 | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Farlow, Tal Category:American jazz guitarists Category:Bebop guitarists Category:Cool jazz guitarists Category:Mainstream jazz guitarists Category:People from Monmouth County, New Jersey Category:Musicians from New Jersey Category:People from Greensboro, North Carolina Category:Musicians from North Carolina Category:Verve Records artists Category:Prestige Records artists Category:Inner City Records artists Category:Xanadu Records artists Category:Blue Note Records artists Category:1921 births Category:1998 deaths
