Personnel:
Art Farmer (tp, flh), Grachan Moncur III, Tom McIntosh (tb), Benny Golson (ts), Harold Mabern, Cedar Walton (p), Herbie Lewis, Tommy Williams (b), Roy McCurdy, Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d), John Lewis (arr)
Reference: FSRCD 755
Bar code: 8427328607551
Art Farmer-Benny Golson Jazztet was a talent-studded little band, among the finest groups of its time (1959-1962), able and willing to try anythingnotice the sextets exuberant romping on these two albums Here and Now, and Another Git Togetherrecorded in 1962. They feature only the co-leaders of the original band, but the replacementstrombonist Grachan Moncur III and a Harold Mabern Herbie LewisRoy McCurdy rhythm sectionmaintained the pungent blend of zest, relaxation, control and creativity that characterised the Jazztet at its best.
Crucial to this were Golsons beautifully crafted arrangements. Making deft use of the textures and colours supplied by the three-horn front line, they provided structure and stimulation in equal measure. The players responded brilliantly, with Farmer exceptional, echoing Rex Stewarts affecting horn on Ellingtons Rue Prevail and turning in some luminous, lyrical flugelhorn on Domino. Golsons tenor had a more assertive edge than before, notably on Station and Git Together, offering an effective contrast to the more reflective Farmer. And Moncurs burry warmth and direct approach made for further variety in a swinging, thoroughly satisfying group.
The Jazztet and John Lewis, was recorded earlier with a previous Jazztet lineup which, with the two leaders, included Tom McIntosh, trombone, Cedar Walton, piano, Thomas Williams, bass, and Albert Heath. John Lewis arranged his own compositions, mostly familiar Lewis pieces, and conducted the band in a reflective collection distinguished by consistently thoughtful work by Farmer and Golson.
-Here & Now:
"The Jazztet had been in existence for two years when they recorded what would be their final LPs, Here and Now and Another Git Together. The personnel, other than the two co-leaders, flugelhornist Art Farmer and tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson, had completely changed since 1960 but the group sound was the same. The 1962 version of The Jazztet included trombonist Grachan Moncur III, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Roy McCurdy. It is remarkable to think that this talent-filled group wasn't, for some reason, snapped up to record even more albums together. Highlights of their excellent out-of-print LP include Ray Bryant's "Tonk," "Whisper Not," "Just in Time," and Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear." A classic if short-lived hard bop group."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
-The Jazztet & John Lewis:
"The idea of the Jazztet playing arrangements by John Lewis written especially for them is intriguing. According to Gene Lees' liner notes, Art Farmer first approached Lewis about writing something for the sextet, to which the composer replied that he'd rather score an entire record. Even though the Jazztet and Lewis' own group, the Modern Jazz Quartet, are dissimilar in many ways, the marriage is a successful one. Still a fairly new band at the time, the Jazztet had already undergone a total change in personnel, except for the two co-founders, Art Farmer and Benny Golson. Trombonist Tom McIntosh, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Thomas Williams, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath round out the group. While the overall feeling is a little more conservative than typical recordings by the Jazztet, the free-flowing interpretation of "Django" (with a spirited solo by Golson) and the bluesy "2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West" (showcasing Farmer's brilliant solo) are more than ample proof of the value of this Argo LP. Long out of print, it was finally reissued."
Ken Dryden -All Music Guide
