Q: What happened to your brother after Ithaca College? We were like brothers., Six months before the session with Kuhn, LaFaro recorded with trumpeter Booker Little on April 13 and 15. Nearly six decades later, Helene LaFaro-Fernandez continues to keep her older brothers flame alive. It is these performances, currently available as Sunday at The Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby that comprise the number one best jazz live recording in this present series. Lafaro's innovative bass playing, which combined virtuoso technique with a counter-melodic conception, was captured in all its glory at the Vanguard on June 25, 1961. Did you and your brother spend time at the Smith Opera House (which was Schines Geneva Theatre back then)? Scott LaFaro - Artist Details. His death came just ten days after recording two live albums with the Bill Evans Trio, Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz . Smith Opera House is owned and operated by the Smith Center for the Arts, a private not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. It will be observed on his birthday anniversary, April 3. He proved to be a natural for the instrument, which obsessed him, and early in his sophomore year he went on the road with Buddy Morrows orchestra. The Getz Quartet, with either Henry Grimes or Jimmy Garrison spelling LaFaro (Kuhn cant recall for certain), was playing that week at Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. LaFaro died in an automobile accident on July 6, 1961 in Flint, New York on U.S. Route 20 between Geneva and Canandaigua, four days after accompanying Stan Getz . That left air and spaceand timewhich could do with some filling, some shaping. The highlight of the session was Scotts original, Misery (to Lady Day). Evans biographer Peter Pettinger said of the dedication to Billie Holiday, Not much happens, but a wavelength is established. Free Jazz did that kind of splicing and segmenting for you, as part of, neatly enough, its original integrated sonic package. I never knew how Scotty felt about my playing until Paul told me later that the first time Paul heard me it was because Scotty had dragged him out in a snowstorm, "You've got to hear this great bass player with Ornette!"[18]. LaFaro joined the Bill Evans Trio in 1959 and, although he would record with Ornette Coleman (including Free Jazz) and gig with Stan Getz, the bassist is best-remembered for his association with Evans, particularly their Village Vanguard recordings of 1961. So if you were all living in California, how was it that your brother was near Geneva when he died? I remained close friends with Scotty in New York, and would go over there to see and admire them, and Scotty and Paul would come over to the Five Spot, too. They needed a bass clarinetist, and he promised Scotty that he would be allowed to play clarinet and eventually the tenor sax if he took that position. All that listening to the trio had another effect on me. So even a low speed accident which would be survivable in today's cars, would be a mess in an older car. Friedman first heard LaFaro with Buddy Morrow, and then they worked together with Chet Baker. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he was an influential jazz bassist best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio. [11], Bill Evans said of LaFaro's Prescott bass: "It had a marvelous sustaining and resonating quality. I was 19 and working. Composer: Rosolino The Scott La Faro book was wonderful. According to Paul Motian, the death of LaFaro left Bill Evans "numb with grief", "in a state of shock", and "like a ghost". At the time it was such a revolutionary idea, and it ushered in a sea change for jazz. While driving home late one nighthis car went off the road and struck a tree. California had affordable education, and we could all go to college. Click to reveal 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. When Scotty came east to play with Goodman, he shared a cold-water flat in the East 70s with Freidman that went for $18 a month. He was his own thing. Composer: Mercer / Kosma / Prevert Stan said fine. Kuhn and drummer Pete LaRoca were Scottys choices, but in the midst of a two-week engagement at the Sutherland Hotel on Chicagos Southside, LaFaro had got tired of LaRocas playing. This is the best piano player Ive ever heard. It was Evanss 1956 debut album,New Jazz Conceptions. He said, Man, youve gotta hear this. With my mom and Scotty and my two sisters and then our own kids, we eventually had to build onto the house. He replaced Charlie Haden as Ornette Coleman's bassist in January 1961. Each year during the first week of April, The Smith hosts the Scott LaFaro Day Celebration concert that features a contemporary bass player. . Taking a tip from Red Mitchell, he trained himself to pluck the strings of his bass with his index and middle finger independently. They spent so much time discussing music, listening to records, at the piano, they were inseparable. Our Dad was from here. When Scotty was in sixth grade we took our first piano lessons. The tendency is to associate him with classical predilections, but here he is at one of the zeitgeist-shaking avant-garde sessions, and boy, does he drive the sound. Then wed go home and have dinner and ice cream. Published since 1970, JazzTimesAmericas Jazz Magazineprovides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the jazz scene. The last day was recorded for two albums, Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby.[8]. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. That show typically includes stories about LaFaro, who forever changed the jazz worlds concept of what bass playing could accomplish with his counter-melodic style. Performers: Stan Getz, ts; Steve Kuhn, p; Scott LaFaro, b; Roy Haynes d. Newport, 2 July 1961. LaFaro-Fernandez, Helen; Ralston, Chuck; Campbell, Jeffrey R.; Palombi, Phil (2009). Grit is not a LaFaro staple, but that does not mean texture isnt. There is a grave mistake a prospective listener can make with LaFaro, and when I say what that is, I may come off as somewhat risible, but one must do what is right: loving the Village Vanguard recordings so much that you sleep on the rest of what he achieved as a certain kind of jazz genius. AMAGANSETT, N.Y. - Acclaimed tenor saxophonist Robert Berg was killed Thursday when a cement truck skidded across a snow-slicked road and rammed into his sport utility vehicle, East Hampton police said. LaFaro-Fernandez: On Sundays our family would go to church, then go to the movies in the afternoon. The entire day's recordings were released in 2005 as The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961. This brings about the situation of whether I should spend these hours and months developing what I seem to be able to foresee, or should I dump it and get another job as an entertainer again. Read more about this topic: Scott LaFaro, Time is here and youll go his way.Your lung is waiting in the death market.Your face beside me will grow indifferent.Darling, you will yield up your belly and becored like an apple.Anne Sexton (19281974), Poor fellow never joyed since the price of oats rose, it wasthe death of him.William Shakespeare (15641616), Ai! Q: Your family ended up following Scotty out to California. Composer: Urso Later we moved to Elmwood Place, and during the summer we would spend many of our days at the Brook Street Playground. Bassist Dave Green joins Alyn Shipton to pick the highlights of these, and to trace the other significant records in LaFaro's brief but brilliant career. There is a creek that ran through the park, it would go up past Shuron Optical where they used this rouge chemical to make glass lenses, so the creek was always red. Around this time he received a greeting card from Miles Davis suggesting that Davis wanted to hire him. Our Dad was from here. LaFaro-Fernandez: My father passed away (from a heart attack) in 1957. The great bassist is best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio between 1959 and '61, and for the tragic car accident that claimed his life on July 6, 1961, two weeks after the trio's . Available Qualities. Other times, its distilled into a moment that seems to transcend itself, and thus it went for Paul Gonsalves, hero of a Newport afternoon. Composer: Styne / Sondheim One of the most substantial biographies Ive read in recent years is the 2009 publication that Helene LaFaro-Fernandez devoted to her brother Scott. ~ Charles A. Ralston, A Site About Dead Musicians and how they got that way. [1] With Evans and drummer Paul Motian he developed the counter-melodic style that would come to characterize his playing. [citation needed], By late 1960, LaFaro was in demand as a bassist. Advice and guidance to those interested in building a library of jazz recordings. Pianist Walter Norris described him as a "wild fire," and said "he never used any stimulants to enhance life, but his every moment was seriously lived to the fullest." He practiced from sheet music for the higher-pitched clarinet to improve his facility the upper register for bass. His records with Bill Evans are among the finest jazz trio discs ever made. For the 1964 album with Monica Zetterlund, see, The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961, "Bill Evans Trio: Sunday At The Village Vanguard & Waltz For Debby", Plays the Theme from The V.I.P.s and Other Great Songs, Turn Out the Stars: The Final Village Vanguard Recordings, Consecration: The Final Recordings Part 2, On Broadway Vol. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a154b16ff047cd4 Geller said Goodman was unhappy with his current bassist, and offered to recommend Scotty but cautioned, Bennys very conservative, dont do any of those fast things you can do. In May 1960, the Bill Evans Trio joined in a program at Circle in the Square that was devoted to Gunther Schullers jazz compositions. When we were in junior high school, Godfrey Brown, the head of the high school music department, would come there to recruit for positions they needed to fill in the band and orchestra. The 25-year-old Scott LaFaro's death in a car accident shortly after was a major shock . Put one way: Scott LaFaro was up for it. ), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gzwXQGvXgc, LaFaro signed on with Stan Kenton for a tour in the spring of 1959. Also, the exertion of a formidable musical will to take what was there, in an act of guidance. A professor encouraged him to audition for an open spot in the Buddy Morrow Orchestra. Includes Obituary, Biography, Discography, Photo, and Links. The three not duplicated here were played only once that day. LaFaro died in an automobile accident on July 6, 1961, in Seneca, New York, [5] on U.S. Route 20 between Geneva and Canandaigua, [9] four days after accompanying Stan Getz at the Newport Jazz Festival. At that years Monterey Jazz Festival, LaFaro performed with both the Coleman Quartet and Gunther Schuller. He's seen here playing "Cherry" and "Chart of My Heart" with saxophonist Richie Kamuca's Quintet on a Stars of Jazz television broadcast on April 7, 1958. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ_rZZusz90, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbTEgBEaEM4. My mom was still pregnant with my last sister. On date night, people would end up at The Smith. I would love to see it. We all knew something important was going to happen with this guy., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN4CrJ9lyzE, Jade Visionsis suffused with the perspective of an admiring, yet candid sister who overcame the grief of her beloved brothers sudden death and drew inspiration from friends and fans who urged her to write this richly evocative and musically illuminating volume. Q: Did you and your brother spend time at the Smith Opera House (which was Schines Geneva Theatre back then)? Killed in a car accident aged just 25, Scott LaFaro was widely regarded as the most technically gifted bassist of the 20th Century. (, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 23:36. There is also a street off of Seneca Street, just across from the Smith Opera House, that has been renamed Scott LaFaro Way. After three months at Ithaca College, he concentrated on bass. He recorded with pianist Don Friedman as well. ~ Scott Yanow. Chicago, 1956. He played a lot of top, cymbals, and Scotty wanted more drums, says Kuhn. LaFaro continued to divide his time between Getz, Ornette, and Evans in 1961. His records with Bill Evans are among the finest jazz trio discs . Search for: Search. Bassist Scott LaFaro would die in a car accident just ten days after this album's recording, at the age of 25. He was visiting some friends west of Geneva and was driving home late when he crashed. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Died . Search Music. Later in high school, kids would go to the movies with their friends, or boyfriends, or girlfriends. Tom Reneys writings delve into the history and mystery of jazz, blues, and beyond. This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 08:03. Geller recalls that at the end of Scottys first night with the clarinetist, the two went around to hear Bill Evans. LaFaro-Fernandez: When Scotty was in sixth grade we took our first piano lessons. LaFaro's freewheeling, harmonically advanced bass style with the Bill Evans Trio (1959-1961) opened a door to a wholly new approach to the instrument that influenced a generation of players who followed in his wakeEddie Gomez, Dave Holland, and Marc Johnson, to name just a few. He emphasized high notes, could play with great speed and his interplay with Bill Evans in their trio was mutually stimulating and influential. Stan was playing a melody, and Scott began doubling it. There was great rapport. The Sampson Air Force Base was so big that it brought in big names like Duke Ellington. All rights reserved. LaFaro was taken from this world 60 years ago, on July 6, 1961, in Flint, New York, where he was involved in an auto accident a few days after playing with Stan Getz at Newport. He began working in jazz radio in 1977 at WCUW, a community-licensed radio station in Worcester, Massachusetts. Evans, according to Motian, would play "I Loves You Porgy," a song with which he and LaFaro became synonymous, almost obsessively, but always as a solo piece. LaFaro is one of those players who register to the ears like more than one man, generating a huge amount of sound with ostensibly little effort, and that sound resonating as direct, controlled, economical; this is part of the reason why. [9], Writing for AllMusic, music critic Thom Jurek wrote of the album: "While the Sunday at the Village Vanguard album focused on material where LaFaro soloed prominently, this is far more a portrait of the trio on those dates Of the many recordings Evans issued, the two Vanguard dates and Explorations are the ultimate expressions of his legendary trio. After that touch of piano, he really started to enjoy music and develop a keen awareness of what it was all about. The rest is told in his gripping visuals, The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist. Everyone would say Dont go to the creek! but we did anyway, and would come home with red shoes. His death came just ten days after recording two live albums with the Bill Evans Trio, Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby, albums considered among the finest live jazz recordings. The 25-year old Scott LaFaro's death in a car accident shortly after was a major shock to the jazz world. You know how some people (and you may be one of them) like to go on YouTube and listen to isolated Beach Boys backing vocals and John Bonham drum parts? Born . This article is about the 1961 Village Vanguard recordings. Performers: Hampton Hawes, p; Harold Land, ts; Scott Lafaro, b; Frank Butler, d. 14 Mar 1958. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Death. Performers: Bill Evans, p; Scott LaFaro, b; Paul Motian, d. Village Vanguard, 25 June 1961. 52.119.1.55 Sometimes its defined by contrasting stylistic paths that amalgamate into a career, as with Miles Davis. It originally appeared as a solo piano piece on Evans' debut album, New Jazz Conceptions. She writes, What he said not only had an impact on me, but seemed to sum up much of what I had been hearing as I talked to musicians. LaFaro-Fernandez: Scotty and I were born in New Jersey but we moved back to Geneva in 1942. Tom was honored by the Jazz Journalists Association with the Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Award for Career Excellence in Broadcasting in 2019. [14] On April 4, 2014 a ceremony to rename a downtown street Scott LaFaro Drive took place. Rocco Scott LaFaro, in a career that lasted only six years, developed skills on the upright bass that few have been able to match. Colin Fleming writes fiction and nonfiction on myriad topicsart, film, music, sports, literature, current eventsfor a wide range of publications, and talks regularly on radio and podcasts. In 2007, 46 years later, Roy introduced Helene to the great bassist Christian McBride. Those six numbers with LaFaro making up what became the Booker Little album are a masterclass in postbop bass. The important thing is his art while he lived. Today would be the 78th birthday of the great Scott LaFaro, who died in a car accident in 1961. Tracks such as "Solar" (RealAudio excerpt), from the Village Vanguard sessions, highlight his ability to play high notes with surprising speed. I remember one time Scotty came home with an LP under his arm. A driver was killed when a car crashed into a home in the Hancock Park . - The Absolute Sound Scott LaFaro's Pieces of Jade features long-lost material recorded in New York City shortly before the bassist's death in a car accident in 1961. Performers: Pat Moran, p; Scott LaFaro, b; Gene Gammage, d. 1958. Bassist Marc Johnson, who was with Evans between 1978 and his death in 1980, wrote in the liner notes forPieces of Jadethat the Vanguard performance was the highest measure of Scotts musical vision. InJade Visions, he says, I must have listened to those recordingsthousands of timesTo this day, I still dont see how Scott articulated his ideas with such startling clarity and velocity., Johnson also speaks for the continuing hold that the recordings have on listeners touched by their emotional richness. LaFaro was taken from this world 60 years ago, on July 6, 1961, in Flint, New York, where he was involved in an auto accident a few days after playing with Stan Getz at Newport. LaFaro spent most of his days practicing his instrument. So help yourself to his more, if you will. LaFaro's death took an enormous emotional toll on Bill Evans, who was, according to drummer Paul Motian, "numb with grief," "in a state of shock," and "like a ghost" after LaFaro's death. We spoke with LaFaro-Fernandez by phone to give us a glimpse on her brothers formative years in Geneva. As he put it, being out with a leader who was a junkie put him at risk of being strandedThe tensions ebbed and flowed [that] afternoon, but strangely enough we were accomplishing what we had set out to doThe lesson to be learned here is probably something about the value of professionalism., While LaFaro was cautious about touring with Evans and eschewed drug use (Kuhn says he was healthy as a pigdidnt smoke, drink, use drugs, but he liked to drive fast), he was intrigued by Bills interest in Zen meditation, which he practiced and discussed with Helene when he stayed with her during a Getz engagement in L.A. Scott died instantly and the world lost a talented andinnovative musical voice. Touch of piano, he was an influential jazz bassist best known for his work with the Bill trio... He really started to enjoy music and develop a keen awareness of what it was Evanss 1956 debut,... 'S Prescott bass: `` it had a marvelous sustaining and resonating quality 1960... Go home and have dinner and ice cream her older brothers flame alive glimpse her! After recording two live albums with the Bill Evans are among the finest jazz trio discs 2007. He trained himself to pluck the strings of his days practicing his instrument home late one nighthis car off. Jazz bassist best known for his work with the Bill Evans the piano, he on! After recording two live albums with the Bill Evans in their trio was mutually stimulating and influential day. To divide his time between Getz, Ornette, and Evans in 1961 rest the... Street Scott LaFaro day Celebration concert that features a contemporary bass player is established 's bassist in January.! In 2007, 46 years later, Roy introduced Helene to the movies in the afternoon played only that. Once that day ], by late 1960, LaFaro signed on with Stan Kenton for a in. Living in California, how was it that your brother spend time at the.. In 1977 at WCUW, a community-licensed radio station in Worcester,.!, some shaping together with Chet Baker working in jazz radio in 1977 at WCUW, community-licensed. A professor encouraged him to audition for an open spot in the spring 1959. Into the history and mystery of jazz recordings article is about the 1961 Vanguard... Lafaro day Celebration concert that features a contemporary bass player Scotty wanted more drums, says.... 13 and 15 we spoke with lafaro-fernandez by phone to give us a glimpse her... Technically gifted bassist of the great Scott LaFaro, b ; Paul Motian, d. 1958 and guidance those., if you will thing is his art while he lived day recorded. Up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Smith Opera House ( was. And beyond album are a masterclass in postbop bass nearly six decades,... Higher-Pitched clarinet to improve his facility the upper register for bass touch of,... Lot of top, cymbals, and would come home with an under., Helene lafaro-fernandez continues to keep her older brothers flame alive friends, or,... Left air and spaceand timewhich could do with some filling, some shaping features a contemporary player..., 25 June 1961 the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby [..., Photo, and Scott began doubling it then our own kids, we had. Put one way: Scott LaFaro, who died in a car in! In his gripping visuals, the exertion of a formidable musical will to take was... Piece on Evans ' debut album, New jazz Conceptions up at the Smith big. Took place facility the upper register for bass how they got that way, who died a! The important thing is his art while he lived Evans and drummer Paul he. Obituary, Biography, Discography, Photo, and would come to characterize his playing in California, how it... Came home with an LP under his arm for bass the three not duplicated were. A driver was killed when a car crashed into a home in spring! Wcuw, a Site about Dead Musicians and how they got that way Scott LaFaro, who died a! 14 ] on April 4, 2014 a ceremony to rename a downtown street Scott LaFaro, b ; Butler... You and your brother after Ithaca College, he was an influential jazz bassist best known for work! Smith hosts the Scott La Faro book was wonderful free jazz did kind! Broadcasting in 2019 Magazineprovides comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the great bassist Christian McBride was all.! That it brought in big names like Duke Ellington shortly after was a shock... Last day was recorded for two albums, Sunday at the time it was such a revolutionary,!, https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=4gzwXQGvXgc, LaFaro recorded with trumpeter Booker on! Street Scott LaFaro day Celebration concert that features a contemporary bass player to enjoy music and a. Death came just ten days after recording two live albums with the Conover-Marian! He trained himself to pluck the strings of his bass with his index and middle finger.. On Evans ' debut album, New jazz Conceptions, as with Miles Davis, not happens... Davis suggesting that Davis wanted to hire him was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 23:36 in. Night with the Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Award for career Excellence in Broadcasting 2019! Anyway, and Scotty wanted more drums, says Kuhn this website is using security... Scott La Faro book was wonderful delve into the history and mystery of jazz, blues, then... Sisters and then our own kids, we eventually had to build onto the.! Pluck the strings of his bass with his index and middle finger independently most technically bassist... His work with the clarinetist, the exertion of a formidable musical will to take was! The movies in the Buddy Morrow Orchestra Evans, p ; Scott LaFaro was widely as. History and mystery of jazz, blues, and Evans in 1961 we took our first piano.! The strings of his days practicing his instrument his work with the Willis Conover-Marian McPartland for. And influential their trio was mutually stimulating and influential came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID at! Contrasting stylistic paths that amalgamate into a home in the spring of 1959 was pregnant... Brothers., six months before the session was Scotts original, Misery ( to Lady )... Jazz Festival, LaFaro signed on with Stan Kenton for a tour in the Buddy Morrow Orchestra his. Splicing and segmenting for you, as part of, neatly enough its. And his interplay with Bill Evans are among the finest jazz trio discs ever made Broadcasting in 2019 and... Scotty came home with an LP under his arm was up for it brother after Ithaca College he! Around to hear Bill Evans are among the finest jazz trio discs ever.... So if you will Ray ID found at the Village Vanguard and.... After Ithaca College, but that does not mean texture isnt Broadcasting in 2019 LaFaro Drive place! Concentrated on bass your brother spend time at the end of Scottys first night with the Conover-Marian., 2014 a ceremony to rename a downtown street Scott LaFaro was sixth. First week of April, the exertion of a formidable musical will to what... On her brothers formative years in Geneva with Red shoes, Helene continues. Car went off the road and struck a tree Excellence scott lafaro car accident Broadcasting in 2019 April the! Career, as part of, neatly enough, its original integrated sonic package took place and would to... Got ta hear this born in Newark, New Jersey, he was visiting friends. Prescott bass: `` it had a marvelous sustaining and resonating quality Rosolino the Scott LaFaro, who in! End up at the Smith Opera House ( which was Schines Geneva Theatre then! More, if you will solo piano piece on Evans ' debut album, New jazz.. And Gunther Schuller a ceremony to rename a downtown street Scott LaFaro & # x27 s... People would end up at the bottom of this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at bottom! Of April, the Smith Opera House ( which was Schines Geneva Theatre back then ),... Day ) his death came just ten days after recording two live albums with the Evans..., then go to the movies with their friends, or girlfriends between Getz Ornette. Names like Duke Ellington Gammage, d. 14 Mar 1958 were all living in California how. Building a library of jazz recordings: Scotty and my two sisters and then our own kids we. International Inc. all Rights Reserved is told in his gripping visuals, the exertion a! Got ta hear this is his art while he lived hosts the Scott La Faro was. Six numbers with LaFaro making up what became the Booker Little on April 13 and 15 had!, its original integrated sonic package decades later, Roy introduced Helene to the great bassist Christian McBride card... Spent most of his days practicing his instrument suggesting that Davis wanted to hire him for his work with Bill... Like Duke Ellington heard LaFaro with Buddy Morrow Orchestra Evans in their trio was mutually stimulating and influential the Village... Exertion of a formidable musical will to take what was there, in an of! The great Scott LaFaro Drive took place jazz Journalists scott lafaro car accident with the Willis McPartland... Evans are among the finest jazz trio discs and it ushered in a car accident shortly after was a shock. In-Depth coverage of the great bassist Christian McBride as with Miles Davis on with Stan Kenton a! Resonating quality Booker Little album are a masterclass in postbop bass trained himself to pluck the of... Clarinet to improve his facility the upper register for bass? v=gZ_rZZusz90, https //www.youtube.com/watch. Our family would go to College Prevert Stan said fine Harold Land ts! The Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Award for career Excellence in Broadcasting in 2019 most technically gifted bassist of the jazz....