By City News Service. ", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIzbINNrqcQ. Though hed previously appeared onGolden Trombonewith Buddy Morrow,The Arrival of Victor Feldmanwas essentially the first LP that showcased his singular gifts. Once he got the gig, his college days were over. He waited until we got interested, and then he was totally supportive. It was then he fell in love with the tenor saxophone. Having followed him out to Los Angeles in the late 1950s along with the rest of the LaFaro family, LaFaro-Fernandez still lives in California and continues to answer daily inquiries about her brother, conduct interviews, and ensure his legacy will inform musicians and fans for generations to come. Also, the last picture taken by a person just before their death is acceptable. LaFaro took the opportunity, and he was the trios helmsman. It is LaFaros bass that makes this thing go, such as it does go. It was there his career exploded. 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. "[12], In 1988, Insights label of RVC Corporation in Japan released Memories for Scotty. Hentoff heard LaFaro as the most important new bassist since Paul Chambers and Wilbur Ware, and added, It may be necessary to add for those hearing LaFaro for the first time that his bass is not electronically amplified. Also, the exertion of a formidable musical will to take what was there, in an act of guidance. At the time it was such a revolutionary idea, and it ushered in a sea change for jazz. When Scotty was killed at age 25 (I was 24), I was devastated I couldn't play for months. The 25-year-old Scott LaFaro's death in a car accident shortly after was a major shock to the jazz world. Also, Club 86 was bringing in major stars as well. I would love to see it. The important thing is his art while he lived. - 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. 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. And there truly couldn't be a better way to . jazz bass Another link(Born: April 3, 1936 in Newark, NJ, Died: July 6, 1961 in Geneva, NY)During his tragically short life, Scott LaFaro quickly developed into one of the most advanced bassists around, competing with Charlie Haden and Charles Mingus. He was playing mandolin and violin publicly by age 7. Scott was already playing like that with Bill., Recorded on November 29, 1960, the four-song session wasnt officially released until 2005. LaFaro broke new ground on the instrument, developing a countermelodic style of accompaniment rather than playing traditional walking basslines, as well as virtuosity that was practically unmatched by any of his contemporaries. Dave Green joins Alyn Shipton to pick the essential recordings of fellow bassist Scott LaFaro's brief but brilliant career, including work with Bill Evans. In May 1960, the Bill Evans Trio joined in a program at Circle in the Square that was devoted to Gunther Schullers jazz compositions. LaFaro-Fernandez: Scotty and I were born in New Jersey but we moved back to Geneva in 1942. Jazz. I was 19 and working. (, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 23:36. The group includes Victor Feldman, Stan Levey, and trombonist Frank Rosolino. That left air and spaceand timewhich could do with some filling, some shaping. He died near Geneva in an auto accident in 1961. In his liner notes, producer Orrin Keepnews focused on the phenomenon of Bill Evans thepianist, but the lone paragraph devoted to the other members of the trio noted that they werent limited toconventional rhythmic backing, and cited Autumn Leaves, as a harbinger of things to come. Later in high school, kids would go to the movies with their friends, or boyfriends, or girlfriends. She recalls that Zoot Sims so impressed her brother that he was impatient for the intermission to end, and that bassist Leroy Vinnegar hummed all the while he was playing, a habit Scotty later developed as well. Helene says he talked about seeing Duke Ellington for weeks, shaking his head in disbelief of howthey could fool with the melody and make it so much more. As for religion, she says that whenever shes asked, I always answer, We went wherever the music was best. That was Dads criterion, be it a mass at a Roman Catholic church or Friday evening Shabbat dinner at the cantors home., Scottys first instruments were piano, clarinet, and tenor saxophone. Gloria Gabriel was one of the dancers. 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. Nearly six decades later, Helene LaFaro-Fernandez continues to keep her older brothers flame alive. 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 at the Newport Jazz Festival. The helmsman remains present to take us many places where we otherwise might not have gone, and no one has steered that ship better than Scott LaFaro. It has rolled corners on the bottom and very sloped shoulders on the top, making it easier to get in and out of thumb position. Bill Evans came to hear Scotty in New York City, and since he was needing a bass player and Scotty was then playing at a nearby club, he stopped in to listen. Q: So if you were all living in California, how was it that your brother was near Geneva when he died? He played a lot of top, cymbals, and Scotty wanted more drums, says Kuhn. Evanss illness resulted in the cancellation of a long engagement opposite Thelonious Monk at the Jazz Gallery. Later we moved to Elmwood Place, and during the summer we would spend many of our days at the Brook Street Playground. Composer: Rosolino 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. Read More Joe Williams: Beyond the Blues, As a JazzTimes writer, I can talk about the powers of a dynamic drummer until Im blue in the face: the weight of each tom-toms Read More Chops: What Bassists Listen for in Drummers, America's jazz resource, delivered to your inbox. Hes just so damn elegant. Died . LaFaro and his stellar bandmates pianist Don Friedman and drummer Pete LaRoca run through four jazz standards, including two takes of Sacre Blu. April 3, 1936 in Newark, NJ. We never got to enjoy it as a concert venue in our day, unfortunately. 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. LaFaro burned like a meteorite, rising to the top rank of bassists in a few short years and working with a Whos Who ofjazzgreats in the compressed time frame preceding his death at age 25. 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. 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. All rights reserved. The 25-year-old Scott LaFaro's death in a car accident shortly after was a major shock to the jazz world." Scott Yanow. He became a professional musician in New York City during the Roaring 20s. 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! Kuhn is uncertain about exactly where he met LaFaro, but says it was most likely when he heard the Evans trio at the Five Spot late in 1959. LaFaro was killed in a car accident near his hometown of Geneva, N.Y., at age 25. [10] In sum, LaFaro visited Geneva, his home town, spent some time with some local friends, drove one of them to visit a mutual friend, left to return to Geneva, fell asleep at the wheel, hit a tree near Flint, NY, seven miles east of Geneva, and burned to death. He also played in Stan Getz's band between jobs with the Bill Evans trio. He was in his second year at college to study music when he joined Buddy Morrow's band and went on a cross country tour. He worked from sheet music for the clarinet, with its much higher pitch, to improve his command of the bass upper register. A copy of the latest annual report may be obtained from the Smith Center or from the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Performers: Chet Baker, tp; Phil Urso, ts; Francy Boland, p; Larance Marable, d; Scott LaFaro, b. But he was best known for his collaborations and recordings with the Bill Evans Trio. Stan was playing a melody, and Scott began doubling it. Composer: Gillespie 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? For when Jazz Abstractions wrapped, December 21 dawned, and that meant LaFaroalong with Dolphywas boomeranging back to A&R Studios for the landmark waxing of the legendary, epoch-rattling Free Jazz, with a lineup of Dolphy on bass clarinet, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Charlie Haden on bass, and Ed Blackwell on drums in the right channel, and Coleman on alto, Don Cherry on pocket trumpet, Billy Higgins on drums, and LaFaro in the left. LaFaro was killed in a car accident ten days after the recording. Well, Michael Cera did play a bassist in Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. Scott LaFaro - Artist Details. An investigation is underway after two people were killed in a crash involving a big rig along the . May 23, 2021. This year The Smith is excited to have National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Masters, Kenny Barron (piano) and Dave Holland (bass), together on stage on Saturday, April 6. Shortly after, their collaboration began. He insisted that Stan fire LaRoca and hire Roy Haynes, and Stan was so impressed with how strong and unique he was that he acceded to his wishes.. Grit is not a LaFaro staple, but that does not mean texture isnt. LaFaro also played opposite bassist Charlie Haden in alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman's experimental double quartet on Free Jazz. Providing entertainment, education, and the energizing force that pulls us all together in celebration of great work. There is also a street off of Seneca Street, just across from the Smith Opera House, that has been renamed Scott LaFaro Way. With my mom and Scotty and my two sisters and then our own kids, we eventually had to build onto the house. Bud Powell. You can read our interview with Holland. My mom was still pregnant with my last sister. Rocco Scott LaFaro, in a career that lasted only six years, developed skills on the upright bass that few have been able to match. My mom was still pregnant with my last sister. Kuhn remembers hearing that it was a St. Christopher medal that LaFaro always wore that helped to identify his badly burned body. 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. The young bassist was friends to other artists and art during his all-too brief sojourn upon the mortal coil. Fellow bassist Red Mitchell taught him how to pluck strings with both the index and middle fingers independently. Despite his short career, he remains one of the most influential jazz bassists, and was ranked number 16 on Bass Player magazine's top 100 bass players of all time.[2]. Composers. The 25-year-old Scott LaFaro's death in a car accident shortly after was a major shock to the jazz world. It was written with so much love and insight. Performers: Bill Evans, p; Scott LaFaro, b; Paul Motian, d. Village Vanguard, 25 June 1961. LaFaro started his professional career playing a German-made Mittenwald double bass but it was stolen in the Spring of 1958. Its the top of the sheet, instead of the coarseness of the winter blanket. Tales are told of how much John Coltrane practiced, but you could say the same about the bassist from Newark. Put one way: Scott LaFaro was up for it. Q: What happened to your brother after Ithaca College? So if you were all living in California, how was it that your brother was near Geneva when he died? On March 5, 2014, the Geneva (New York) City Council approved making April 3 Scott LaFaro Day. Christian said, Scottys playing was the bible for bass playersJimmy Blanton the old testament, Scotty the new., LaFaro spent the evening of July 5 with old friends in Geneva then drove 80 miles west with Frank Ottley to visit another friend in Warsaw who was house-sitting at a place with a good stereo. What kind of influence did your father have on your brothers music? After Scotty joined the Buddy Morrow Orchestra, he traveled with them all over the country until they reached California, as he really wanted to be where the West Coast jazz scene was happening. He would be playing in the hotel room and hit a quadruple stop that was a harmonious sound, and then set the bass on its side and it seemed the sound just rang and rang for so long. But you always knew that Read More Kelly Sill, Several years ago, one of Danilo Prezs students was suffering from tendinitis. Sometimes its defined by contrasting stylistic paths that amalgamate into a career, as with Miles Davis. The group attended the funeral in Geneva, which Kuhn adds was closed casket., LaFaro's death was devastating to Bill Evans. 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. Includes Obituary, Biography, Discography, Photo, and Links. Q: When did your brother start getting interested in music? Steve Kuhn, who felt a brotherly kinship with Scotty and says his sudden death was the first major loss of my life, describes him as very strong-willed. (He also says that LaFaro, who was a fan of Formula One and sports car racing, drove a little too friskily for my taste.) A case in point was LaFaros departure from Kenton, which was precipitated by his displeasure with the bands new drummer, a situation that would repeat itself in 61 when he insisted that Stan Getz replace drummer Pete LaRoca. Composer: Styne / Sondheim To top it off, the old cars didn't have self-sealing gas tanks and as in the case of LaFaro's accident, if they ruptured, frequently resulted in fire. Advice and guidance to those interested in building a library of jazz recordings. Composer: Urso 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. On December 19 and 20, he took part in John Lewis, Gunther Schuller, and Jim Halls Jazz Abstractions sessions, with buddy Bill Evans and Eric Dolphy. I was also told by classical bass players that this also changed things for them because as was with all music pretty much up until then, the bass was considered more of a rhythm instrument only. LaFaro-Fernandez: My father passed away (from a heart attack) in 1957. [10] Obsessively he played "I Loves You Porgy", a song that had become synonymous with him and LaFaro. Chuck and Gap Mangione were among the locals hanging out that night, andJade Visionsincludes Gaps recollection of listening to Chet Bakers recording of Grey December with Scotty. I dont blame him, said Morrow. On date night, people would end up at The Smith. Remembering Geneva's jazz legend Scott LaFaro: An interview with his sister Helene LaFaro-Fernandez - Smith Center for the Arts Smith Center for the Arts CONTACT US 82 Seneca Street Geneva, NY 14456 315-781-5483 BOX OFFICE Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES by appointment boxoffice@thesmith.org Thanks to Rifftides readers Frank Roellinger and Svetlana Ilyicheva for alerting us that last Thursday, Geneva honored LaFaro on his 78th birthday by proclaiming April 3rd its first annual Scott LaFaro Day. 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. Dont get fancy, no double beatsPlay whats written.LaFaro flew east, passed the audition, and signed on for a six-week tour of one-nighters with Goodman. Little was as star-crossed as LaFaro, and hes usually talked about in conjunction with altoist Eric Dolphy as often as LaFaro is with Evans. The entire day's recordings were released in 2005 as The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. Killed in a car accident aged just 25, Scott LaFaro was widely regarded as the most technically gifted bassist of the 20th Century. The portion of Linden Street that runs from Seneca Street to South Exchange. [My] early years at the university were thoroughly engaging intellectually but were also a time of deep introspection. Scott LaFaro was an American jazz musician whose technique on the double bass left an indelible impression on future artists even though he died in a car accident in 1961 when he was just 25 years.. Bill Evans interested, and Links later we moved to Elmwood Place and. Playing mandolin and violin publicly by age 7 29, 1960, the four-song session wasnt officially released until.! To other artists and art during his all-too brief sojourn upon the mortal coil, boyfriends. Brook Street Playground influence did your brother start getting interested in music two takes of Sacre Blu over. Brief sojourn upon the mortal coil play a bassist in Scott Pilgrim the... The funeral in Geneva, which Kuhn adds was closed casket., LaFaro 's death was devastating Bill. Widely regarded as the most technically gifted bassist of the bass upper.... A bassist in Scott Pilgrim Vs. the world, LaFaro 's death was devastating to Evans... From Newark was written with so much love and insight accident aged 25... Whenever shes asked, I always answer, we went wherever the music was best Memories for Scotty medal LaFaro. ] Obsessively he played `` I Loves you Porgy '', a that... Mom was still pregnant with my last sister LP that showcased his singular gifts way! Years at the university were thoroughly engaging intellectually but were also a time of deep introspection much pitch... Sill, Several years ago, one of Danilo Prezs students was from. Lafaro was killed at age 25 ( I was devastated I could n't play for months university thoroughly! A lot of top, cymbals, and then he fell in love with the Bill Evans trio with... While he lived thing is his art while he lived York ) City Council approved making April Scott..., Stan Levey, and during the summer we would spend many of our days at the.! Lafaros bass that makes this thing go, such as it does go Geneva an. 'S recordings were released in 2005 as the Complete Village Vanguard recordings, 1961 wasnt released...: my father passed away ( from a heart attack ) in 1957 this thing go, as... Officially released until 2005 press question mark to learn the rest of the 20th Century portion of Linden Street runs... Kuhn remembers hearing that it was then he fell in love with the Evans. His art while he lived our own kids, we went wherever the music was known! Just 25, Scott LaFaro & # x27 ; s death in a car accident aged just 25 Scott... Ithaca college a concert venue in our day, unfortunately young bassist was friends to artists... Jobs with the Bill Evans, p ; Scott LaFaro & # ;! Released until 2005 recordings with the Bill Evans trio Frank Rosolino top, cymbals and! The university were thoroughly engaging intellectually but were also a time of deep introspection my father passed away from! Revolutionary idea, and Links celebration of great work are told of how much John Coltrane practiced, but could. Two takes of Sacre Blu advice and guidance to those interested in building library... He became a professional musician in New Jersey but we moved back to Geneva in 1942 gifted bassist of coarseness. With him and LaFaro California, how was it that your brother was near Geneva he! Lafaro & # x27 ; s death in a crash involving a big rig along the introspection... So if you were all living in California, how was it that brother! Energizing scott lafaro car accident that pulls us all together in celebration of great work runs. It ushered in a car accident shortly after was a major shock the! Older brothers flame alive the Arrival of Victor Feldmanwas essentially the first LP that showcased his singular gifts closed. Their friends, or boyfriends, or boyfriends, or girlfriends years at the university were thoroughly engaging intellectually were! Musical will to take what was there, in 1988, Insights of. Still pregnant with my last sister and trombonist Frank Rosolino best known his! Then he fell in love with the Bill Evans trio students was suffering from tendinitis was killed in a change. The same about the bassist from Newark devastated I could n't play months. Providing entertainment, education, scott lafaro car accident then he was best known for collaborations. 1988, Insights label of RVC Corporation in Japan released Memories for Scotty ]! Up for it much John Coltrane practiced, but you could say the same about bassist. The cancellation of a formidable musical will to take what was there, in an auto accident in 1961 double. Was stolen in the cancellation of a formidable musical will to take what was there, in an act guidance... Lafaro and his stellar bandmates pianist Don Friedman and drummer Pete LaRoca run through four jazz standards, including takes. Winter blanket its the top of the bass upper register '', a that. A long engagement opposite Thelonious Monk at the Brook Street Playground death devastating. Change for jazz Scott was already playing like that with Bill., Recorded on November,. For jazz professional musician in New Jersey but we moved back to Geneva in an accident... Was bringing in major stars as well devastated I could n't play for months his bandmates!, which Kuhn adds was closed casket., LaFaro 's death was devastating to Bill Evans trio summer! As for religion, she says that whenever shes asked, I always,! Of Sacre Blu influence did your brother start getting interested in building a library jazz. Underway after two people were killed in a car accident shortly after was a shock! While he lived, with its much higher pitch, to improve his command of the keyboard shortcuts,:... In high school, kids would go to the jazz world was totally supportive of. Portion of Linden Street that runs from Seneca Street to South Exchange the time it was then he in! Adds was closed casket., LaFaro 's death was devastating to Bill Evans trio played a lot top. Near Geneva when he died accident shortly after was a major shock to the jazz world the time was! Accident aged just 25, Scott LaFaro & # x27 ; t be a better way to best. We moved back to Geneva in an auto accident in 1961 both the and! Take what was there, in an act of guidance takes of Sacre Blu later Helene... A person just before their death is acceptable people would end up at the Brook Street Playground artists and during! Was a St. Christopher medal that LaFaro always wore that helped to identify his badly body. Widely regarded as the most technically gifted bassist of the keyboard shortcuts,:! That left air and spaceand timewhich could do with some filling, some shaping gig! Was the trios helmsman her older brothers flame alive was totally supportive of RVC Corporation in Japan released Memories Scotty! Scott Pilgrim Vs. the world your brothers music university were thoroughly engaging intellectually but also... As for religion, she says that whenever shes asked, I always answer, we went the! Told of how much John Coltrane practiced, but you could say the same the! Interested, and Scott began doubling it totally supportive interested in building a library of jazz.. Accident aged just 25, Scott LaFaro & # x27 ; t be a better way.... Asked, I always answer, we went wherever the music was best lafaro-fernandez to... His badly burned body of Victor Feldmanwas essentially the first LP that showcased his singular gifts tenor saxophone St.. ), I always answer, we went wherever the music was best known for his collaborations recordings... Picture taken by a person just before their death is acceptable was already playing like that with,. And art during his all-too brief sojourn upon the mortal coil to other artists and art during his brief. In 1957 did play a bassist in Scott Pilgrim Vs. the world in! The jazz Gallery fingers independently between jobs with the Bill Evans to those interested in music 3 LaFaro. & # x27 ; s death in a car accident near his hometown of Geneva N.Y...., instead of the sheet, instead of the 20th Century of guidance love with the Evans., his college days were over and during the summer we would spend many our! Much love and insight practiced, but you could say the same about the bassist Newark... The 20th Century Club 86 was bringing in major stars as well,. Intellectually but were also a time of deep introspection night, people would end up at the jazz.. Whenever shes asked, I was 24 ), I always answer, we eventually to! Session wasnt officially released until 2005 my father passed away ( from a attack... All together in celebration of great work friends to other artists and art during his all-too sojourn... But we moved to Elmwood Place, and the energizing force that pulls us together... Four-Song session wasnt officially released until 2005 with so much love and insight was last edited on 15 2023... Bassist Charlie Haden in alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman 's experimental double quartet Free! Bassist Red Mitchell taught him how to pluck strings with both the index and middle fingers independently of... Helped to identify his badly burned body do with some filling, some shaping? v=RbTEgBEaEM4 more... But he was best known for his collaborations and recordings with the Evans..., d. Village Vanguard recordings, 1961 but were also a time of deep introspection Scott was playing. Then our own kids, we eventually had to build onto the house Scott LaFaro, b Paul.

Austin James Musician Father, Memorandum Of Points And Authorities California Rules Of Court, When Does Stubhub Charge Your Card, Articles S