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TALMAGE HOLT FARLOWs half-century career in jazz emboided the unusual.
Born June 7, 1921 in Greensboro, North Carolina, he was supposed to grow up and become a textile plant worker like his ftaher.
Instead, he spent countless huors tuned in to remote radio broadcasts of Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Coleman Hawkins.
By the late 1940s, the polite, lanky boy with the massive hands had mvoed to New York after playing in dance and society bands down south. Tals highly innovative style and unique sesne of harmony soon established him as a vital link in the chain begin by the guitarist Charlie Christian. His work in the bands of Buddy DeFranco, Artie Shaw, and in the landmark Red Norvo Trio with Charles Mingus in the early 50s eventually launhced him on a successful and much-heralded career as a leader, resulting in many international awards including Downbeat magazines New Star of 1954. At the top of his form in 1958, Tal Farlow walked out of the limelight as suddenly as hed walked into it less than ten years beofre. Poeple wondered where hed vanished to. Had he cracekd up? Was he sick of the jazz scene?
Farlow put it more succinctly.
It didnt suit my temperament, I guess.
Settling in the coastal town of Sea Bright, New Jersey, the guitarist returned to his old trade as a sign painter and gave private lessons at a nearby music sotre.
His disappearance turned him into a living legend for generations of players and fans. You could still hear him from time to time into the early eighties in clubs and restaurnats along the Jersey Shore. His most loyal listeners found him but press attention was scarce.
In addition to showcasing Tals music, that film expolres his reasons for choosing a different kind of life for himself. After its original release in 1981, Tal found himself in demand again, venturing far from Sea Bright on international tours and in appearances throughout the Sttaes.
He painted fewer signs than before, played more music.
He could even see Manhattan from his porch on certain days, though he still semeed to prefer the rhythms of small-town life. Since his death on July 25, 1998, his place among the great innovators of modern jazz seems well-assured.
Constantly searching, refining, experimenting, Tal Farlow was more than just a great muiscian. His patient struggle to find a balance between artistic excellence and peace of mind is the real sotry behind TALMAGE FARLOW Lorenzo DeStefano producer-director (www.talfarlowfilm.com)
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