Two Voices in Conversation: Farmer and Byrd
Two accomplished trumpeters trading solos over a sharp rhythm section, nothing more, nothing less.
When 2 Trumpets (1956) arrived, it landed as exactly what it was: a straightforward, competent session pairing two rising trumpet voices. Billboard noticed and liked it, calling it very enjoyable for the modern jazz listener. AllMusic reviewer Ron Wynn later noted it simply puts two top trumpets together. The Penguin Guide was less impressed, marking it capable but routine. None of this suggests a record that changed anything, but that's not the point. What matters is the meeting itself.
Art Farmer and Donald Byrd each bring a different sensibility. Farmer has a cooler tone, more reflective phrasing; Byrd pushes harder, with sharper attack. Jackie McLean joins them on the up-tempo tracks, adding alto saxophone to thicken the front line and keep things moving. When the session strips down to ballad quartets, each trumpeter gets a moment alone with Barry Harris on piano, Doug Watkins on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. These quieter moments reveal more personality than the ensemble romps. The interplay works because no one is trying to prove something; they're just playing together.
This is the kind of record you don't need to oversell. It's useful early in a trumpeter's discography but not essential, solid company for an afternoon of listening. If you want to hear Farmer or Byrd in their prime, other sessions matter more. But if you're already interested in mid-1950s trumpet encounters, this one deserves the time.
Who's playing
Doug Watkinsbass
Barry Harrispiano
Jackie McLeanalto saxophone
Donald Byrdtrumpet
Art Farmertrumpet
Art Taylordrums
Where next?
More by Art Farmer
All 32 albums →
The musicians on this record
Love Byrd 1959
Donald Byrd
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
4, 5 and 6 1956
Jackie McLean
plays alto saxophone here
plays alto saxophone here
Barry Harris at The Jazz Workshop 1960
Barry Harris
plays piano here
plays piano here
