The Gary
McFarland Legacy Ensemble is dedicated to the preservation of the music of
composer, arranger, and vibraphonist Gary McFarland. McFarland was a significant
force in the jazz world in the 1960s. He was considered an “adult prodigy” by
former Downbeat magazine editor Gene Lees as Gary did not start any formal
studies until he was in his late twenties. After winning a Downbeat scholarship
to the Berklee School of Music in 1959, McFarland spent just one semester of
study there before moving to New York City.
Through his connection with
trombonist/composer Bob Brookmeyer, McFarland wrote his first professional
arrangements for Gerry Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band. The rest, as they say, was
history. McFarland would go on to be one of the most important jazz forces of
the 1960’s with his compositions, arrangements, recordings, and film and stage
scores. He was also a prolific producer and part owner of the SKYE record label
along with Cal Tjader and Gabor Szabo. McFarland was also one of the first jazz
musicians to include pop and rock material in his recordings and performances.
His recording, America the Beautiful, combined elements of jazz, rock and
orchestral writing that would prove to be one of the most seminal works of the
1960s. McFarland died in 1971 just after his 38th birthday. His career lasted
just a little over ten years but his music is timeless.
Percussionist
Michael Benedict has studied, performed and recorded McFarland’s music ever
since meeting Gail McFarland, Gary’s widow, in 1979. Michael and Gail were
married in 1981 for twenty-five years until Gail’s death in 2007. Michael and
his stepdaughter, Kerry McFarland, continue to promote Gary’s music to this
day.
This first
recording focuses on McFarland’s most recorded material as well as more obscure,
unrecorded selections.The
recording features Bruce Barth on piano, Joe Locke on vibes, Sharel Cassity on
saxophones, Mike Lawrence on bass and Michael Benedict on drums. The music is
arranged by Bruce Barth. The recording is produced by Thomas Bellino and issued
on the Planet Arts Recordings label.
Future
recordings will focus on McFarland’s big band compositions and arrangements
including an arrangement of Straight No Chaser that was commissioned by the
Downbeat Jazz Festival and an arrangement of C-Jam Blues that was slated to
feature Stan Getz.
~ CD Universe
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