Killer Joe

The Jazztet: Benny Golson (tenor sax), Art Farmer (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), McCoy Tyner (piano), Addison Farmer (bass) and Lex Humphries (drums). From the album Meet the Jazztet (1960).

Addison Farmer was an American jazz double bassist and twin brother of trumpeter Art Farmer. The two brothers moved to Los Angeles in 1945 where they received music lessons and met other musicians. His first recording was with Teddy Edwards’s group in 1949. He accompanied his brother in several bands, including the Jazztet and Gigi Gryce’s band, and also played with Mose Allison, Jay McShann, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. He died unexpectedly in New York in 1963 at the age of 34.

Lex Humphries was an American jazz drummer. He played with Cedar Walton on alternative versions of two tracks from John Coltrane’s album Giant Steps, which were not released until 1974. In addition, he played at Benny Golson and Art Farmer’s Jazztet on his first album Meet the Jazztet, and also with Sun Ra, with whom he appeared in the movie Space Is the Place, and Yusef Lateef, who mixed world music with jazz.

The main melody of the theme is very catchy and Farmer exposes it, while the bridge is played by Golson and Fuller. The first solo is made by Farmer with calm and good taste. Golson follows him in no hurry playing very well-chosen phrases. Then Fuller enters with an exquisite melodic line. Then it’s Tyner’s turn, who starts his solo with chords and then adds the notes. To finish, the group plays the main melody of the theme.