Art Farmer & Gigi Gryce - When Farmer Met Gryce

1994 CD reissue.

Art Farmer (1928-1999) and Gigi Gryce (1927-1983) had a special relationship going in the mid-Fifties. They had been bandmates in the Lionel Hampton orchestra that visited France and Sweden in 1953, the band that included Clifford Brown, Jimmy Cleveland, et al., and discovered a natural musical camaraderie. Back in New York they further developed this affinity as Manhattan neighbors and musical partners. It was a specific association that lasted into 1956.

On the first of the two dates here, Art and Gigi are backed by the Prestige house rhythm section of the time–Horace Silver, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke. It is a hot blowing session.

with Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke, Freddie Redd, Addison Farmer, Arthur Taylor