Gary McFarland was dubbed an "adult prodigy" by critic Gene Lees and initially made a major impression in the jazz world during the early '50s, though a turn toward instrumental pop left his contributions somewhat overlooked by the time of his still unsolved murder in 1971.
Mark Masters presented a concert of
McFarland's music featuring baritone saxophonist
Gary Smulyan in 2002 and arranged 11 of his works for this release, featuring
Smulyan, pianist
Steve Kuhn (who worked with
McFarland), multi-reed player Gary Foster, and trumpeter
Tim Hagans, among others. Three of the pieces were written for Gerry Mulligan & the Concert Jazz Band: the breezy, lighthearted "Weep" and the upbeat "Kitch" (featuring Foster on alto sax), along with the
Duke Ellington-influenced "Chuggin'," which showcases
Smulyan. Perhaps the most striking work is "Gary's Waltz," a melancholy work recorded on numerous occasions by Bill Evans during the last few years of his life. But after
Kuhn's opening piano solo,
Masters transforms this piece into a rich tapestry for the ensemble, gradually increasing its tempo and discarding its somber mood, spotlighting
Hagans' outstanding trumpet solo. The perfect balance of
Masters' charts and the intimate sound captured by engineer Talley Sherwood combine to make this an essential CD. Perhaps
Mark Masters' thoughtful exploration of
Gary McFarland's compositions will stir additional interest in the late vibraphonist's work, which has been unjustly neglected. ~ Ken Dryden