Monte Easter (ldr), Monte Easter (t, v), Earl Sims (as), Hubert Allen (ts), Martha Potts (p), Addison Farmer (b), Charles Blackwell (d)

The recording date is unknown but must have been some time in 1945. That was the year that Sterling 103 and 104 were issued. These 78s were mentioned in the December 15, 1945 issue of Billboard. Sterling 107 was mentioned in the September 7, 1946 issue of Billboard.

According to the liner notes for Blue Moon 6053, Sterling 106 (“St. Louis Blues,” “Time for Jookin’”), featuring vocalist Judy Canova, does NOT involve the Monte Easter band despite the information shown in many sources.

Ensemble vocals are heard on tracks a, c and e.

Charlie Parker (ldr), Miles Davis (t), Charlie Parker (as), Joe Albany (p), Addison Farmer (b), Chuck Thompson (d)

The timings shown do not include announcements or applause.

Howard McGhee (ldr), Howard McGhee (t), Charlie Parker (as), Hampton Hawes (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d)

In 1947 and 1948, Dean Benedetti recorded Charlie Parker live using equipment available at the time. The recordings were ONLY of Parker’s solos, so what is present in this box set are a large number of fragments of performances. Those with Addison Farmer (under Howard McGhee’s leadership} were recorded during the first half of March 1947. The track identification is arcane and will not be reproduced here.

Howard McGhee (ldr), Howard McGhee (t), Charlie Parker (as), Hampton Hawes (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d)

Howard McGhee (ldr), Howard McGhee (t), Sonny Criss (as), Teddy Edwards (ts), Hampton Hawes (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d)

Sonny Criss (as) on a, c.

The timings shown include announcements and applause.

Teddy Edwards (ldr), Benny Bailey (t), Teddy Edwards (ts), Duke Brooks (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d)

Benny Bailey (t) on a-g; Teddy Edwards (ts) on a, c-h.

The versions of tracks f and g that I have been able to audition on YouTube are slightly cut off at the beginning. Some of the “original” compositions are contrafacts on well-known standard. For example, track f is based on “After You’ve Gone” and track g on “Back Home in Indiana.”

Jay McShann (ldr), Art Farmer, James Ross (t), Frank Sleet (as), Pete Peterson (ts), Milburn Newman (bar), Jay McShann (p), Addison Farmer (b), Robert Brady (d), Lois Booker (v)

Lois Booker (v) on a-b, d.

The liner notes to Night Train 7021 place track a in another session in 1949, on which Art Farmer was not present. The Lord discography indicates it is part of this session. Swing Time 148 definitely contains a version of “Black Train Blues” but I can’t confirm it’s the same one as on the Night Train CD.

Pete Johnson, Joe Turner (ldr), Art Farmer, James Ross (t), Frank Sleet (as), Pete Peterson (ts), Milburn Newman (bar), unknown (g), Pete Johnson (p), Addison Farmer (b), Robert Brady (d), Joe Turner (v)

The ensemble is basically Jay McShann’s band at the time with Pete Johnson on piano. Why the matrix numbers have gaps is unknown. The Lord discography indicates that track a (but not track i) was recorded at a separate session. The recording date shown is found in the Lord discography and the liner notes to Classics CD 1094 but Arhoolie CD 333 indicates only 1948/1949. The master take of “B & O Blues” is apparently the shorter (faster tempo) version although Down Beat/Swing Time 152 has not been auditioned to confirm this. The liner notes to Arhoolie F 1012, which includes the shorter version, state: “An alternate master of B & O Blues can be heard on the album R 2004: Jumpin’ the Blues by Joe Turner and Pete Johnson.” The version on Arhoolie R 2004 and CD 333 is the longer one.

Roy Porter (ldr), Art Farmer, James Metlock, Eddie Preston, Bob Ross (t), Danny Horton, Jimmy Knepper, William 'Wiggie' Wiginton (tb), Eric Dolphy, Leroy 'Sweetpea' Robinson (as), Joe Howard, Clifford Solomon (ts), Clyde Dunn (bar), Ben White (g), Joe Harrison (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d), Alvy Kidd (cng), Paul Sparks (v)

Paul Sparks (v) on b-d.

This session is listed in the discography section of Roy Porter’s autobiography, “There and Back.” The date is given as “1948/9.” Could this have been a rehearsal for the Savoy sessions of January and February 1949? None of these tracks has been auditioned.

Roy Porter (ldr), Kenny Bright, Art Farmer, Ruben McFall, Bob Ross (t), Danny Horton, Jimmy Knepper, William 'Wiggie' Wiginton (tb), Eric Dolphy, Joe Maini (as), Hadley Caliman, Joe Howard (ts), Bob Gordon (bar), Harold Grant (g), Russ Freeman (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d), Alvy Kidd (cng)

The personnel and date are uncertain. Track b is called “Everything’s Cool.” Track c has not been auditioned.

Monette Moore (ldr), Tee Davis (ts), Ginger Smock (vn), Jerome Tyrone Parsons (p), Nina Russell (or), Addison Farmer (b), Freddie Baker-Jackson (d), John J. Erby (dir), Monette Moore (v)

AB Fable XABCD1-X025 is a CD with very limited distribution, available only by contacting jazz string expert Anthony Barnett, the owner of AB Fable Records. These are the only tracks on which Addison Farmer performs.

Jerome Tyrone Parsons (ldr), Ginger Smock (vn), Jerome Tyrone Parsons (p, v), Tee Davis (cel), Addison Farmer (b), Freddie Baker-Jackson (d)

Tee Davis (cel) on b.

Roy Porter (ldr), Kenny Bright, Art Farmer, Ruben McFall, Bob Ross (t), Danny Horton, Jimmy Knepper, William 'Wiggie' Wiginton (tb), Eric Dolphy, Joe Maini (as), Hadley Caliman, Joe Howard (ts), Anthony Ortega (bar), Harold Grant (g, v), Russ Freeman (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Porter (d), Mike Pacheco (per, bo, cng)

Harold Grant (v) on b.

According to the Bob Gordon Discography, Gordon is the baritone saxophonist and not Ortega. That source also indicates this session took place in Spring of 1949. The information shown comes from Roy Porter’s autobiography, “There and Back.” It is uncertain whether tracks a and b were ever issued. All of the Knockout masters were destroyed in a fire, according to Porter. This session took place after a serious automobile accident that occurred when the band was traveling through New Mexico injuring Porter, Farmer and Clyde Dunn, all of whom required hospitalization and extended recovery.

Linda Hopkins (ldr), Ray Preasley (tb), George Johnson (ts), Fletcher Smith (p), Addison Farmer (b), Booker Hart (d), Linda Hopkins (v)

The identities of the trombonist, tenor saxophonist and drummer are uncertain.

Saunders King (ldr), Eddie Walker (t), Curtis Lowe (as), Jerome Richardson (ts), Saunders King (g, v), Cedric Haywood (p), Addison Farmer (b), Earl Watkins (d)

Gerald Wilson (ldr), John Anderson, Louis Grey, Allen Smith, Clark Terry (t), Isaac Bell, Atlee Chapman, John Ewing, Britt Woodman (tb), Jerry Dodgion (as), Teddy Edwards, Paul Gonsalves, Frank Haynes (ts), Bill Green (bar), unknown (f, per, v), Cedric Haywood (p), Addison Farmer (b), Gus Gustafson (d)

unknown (f) on b-c, e, (per) on a-b, (v) on e.

Solos:
a - Bill Green (bar)
b - unidentified flutist (could be Jerry Dodgion or Bill Green)
c - unidentified flutist (could be Jerry Dodgion or Bill Green)
d - no solos
e - unidentified vocalist
f - Jerry Dodgion (as), trombone (Woodman?), Paul Gonsalves (ts)
g - trumpet (?)
h - trumpet (?)

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Wynton Kelly (p), Addison Farmer (b), Herb Lovelle (d)

Track f is not listed on the Solar Records compilation but is the first track on the first CD of that collection. See the note to the session of January 20, 1954 above.

Track f is listed as being track 12 on the 2002 Past Perfect CD 220306-203 (Soft Shoe), but this is incorrect. Track 12 on the CD is actually “Soft Shoe” from the January 20, 1954 session above.

Anthony Ortega (ldr), Anthony Ortega (as, ts, bar, cl, bcl, f), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

Anthony Ortega (ts) on a, d-e, (bar) on a, d-e, (cl) on c, (bcl) on b, e, (f) on b, h.

Most sources indicate this session was recorded in 1961; however, the Herald LP was issued in 1956 and the session mentioned in DownBeat Magazine, Dec. 14, 1955, p. 7.

Ortega uses multi tracking on several of the performances, often simulating a saxophone or woodwind section. The instrument assignments shown above are a best guess.

Betty St. Claire (ldr), Barry Galbraith (g), Ed Swanston (p), Addison Farmer (b), Herb Lovelle (d), Betty St. Claire (v)

Art Farmer, Gigi Gryce (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Gigi Gryce (as), Freddie Redd (p), Addison Farmer (b), Arthur Taylor (d)

Gene Ammons (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Lou Donaldson (as), Gene Ammons (ts), Freddie Redd (p), Addison Farmer (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

Track a is an “I Got Rhythm” contrafact. Track b is a blues in F. Track b was presumably edited to fit on both sides of a single 45. Although Gene Ammons has been credited as composer of “Woofin’ and Tweetin’, the legal composer of this tune is Art Farmer according to U.S. Copyright Office and BMI records.

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Gigi Gryce (as), Duke Jordan (p), Addison Farmer (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)

Track a is called "Forecast." The same line was later recorded by its composer, Duke Jordan, using the title "Table Chess."

Art Farmer, Bennie Green (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Bennie Green (tb), Cliff Smalls (p), Addison Farmer (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)

Gene Ammons (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Jackie McLean (as), Gene Ammons (ts), Duke Jordan (p), Addison Farmer (b), Arthur Taylor (d), Candido Camero de Guerra (cng)

Track b is based on the chord sequence of “Fine and Dandy.” Track d is based on the chord sequence of “What Is this Thing Called Love.”

Teddy Charles (ldr), Jon Eardley (t), Don Butterfield (tu), Gigi Gryce (as), Hal Stein (ts), George Barrow (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Barry Galbraith (g), Hall Overton (p), Addison Farmer (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d), David Broekman (con)

David Broekman (con) on f.

Tapes of this Voice of America broadcast are held at the Library of Congress. The improvisations on track a are based on a 40-bar (16+16+8) form. The improvisations on track e are based on the chord sequence of “Sweet Georgia Brown.”

Teddy Charles (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Eddie Bert (tb), Jim Buffington (frh), Don Butterfield (tu), Hal Stein (as), Bob Newman (ts), George Barrow (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Hall Overton (p), Addison Farmer (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d)

Eddie Bert (tb) on a; Jim Buffington (frh) on a.

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Hank Mobley (ts), Kenny Drew (p), Addison Farmer (b), Elvin Jones (d)

Hank Mobley (ts) on c-f.

Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, Idrees Sulieman (ldr), Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, Idrees Sulieman (t), Hod O'Brien (p), Addison Farmer (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

Track b is based on the chord structure of “I Got Rhythm.” Track is based on “You Stepped out of a Dream.” Track e involves improvisations on the chord structure of “Cherokee” with no theme stated.

Joe Holiday (ldr), Art Farmer, Thad Jones (t), Eddie Bert (tb), Joe Holiday (ts), Cecil Payne (bar), Duke Jordan (p), Addison Farmer (b), Carmen Pepe (d)

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Jim Buffington (frh), Romeo Penque (f), Arnold Eidus, Julius Held, Harry Lookofsky, Gene Orloff, Leonard Posner (vn), David Mankowitz, Walter Trampler (vl), George Ricci (vc), Tommy Kay (g), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Osie Johnson (d), Quincy Jones (con)

Farmer’s solos are generally very close to the melody of the title issued.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Idrees Sulieman (t), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Idrees Sulieman (t) on a, c-f.

January 17, 1957 has also been given as the date of this session.

Soloists:
Track a - Segal (intro), Charles, Sulieman, Waldron
Track b - Charles
Track c - Charles, Sulieman, Waldron
Track d - Charles, Sulieman
Track e - Sulieman, Charles, Waldron
Track f - Farmer (walking), Charles, Waldron, Sulieman, Charles/Sulieman (4-bar exchanges with Segal), Charles/Sulieman (4-bar exchanges)

Idrees Sulieman (t), John Jenkins (as), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

John Jenkins (as) on a-e.

This ensemble was the Prestige Jazz Quartet augmented by Sulieman and Jenkins.

Soloists:
Track a - Jenkins, Charles, Sulieman, Waldron, Segal
Track b - Charles, Sulieman, Waldron, Jenkins, Charles/Sulieman/Jenkins (4-bar exchanges with Segal)
Track c - Waldron, Jenkins, Sulieman, Charles
Track d - Segal (intro), Jenkins, Charles, Sulieman, Waldron, Sulieman/Jenkins (4-bar exchanges)
Track e - Charles/Sulieman/Jenkins (4-bar exchanges), Charles, Sulieman, Jenkins, Waldron
Track f - Sulieman

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Donald Corrado (frh), Sal Amato (f), Arnold Eidus, Harry Lookofsky, Leonard Posner, Harry Urbont (vn), Howard Kay, David Mankowitz (vl), George Ricci (vc), Barry Galbraith (g), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Sol Gubin (d), Quincy Jones (con)

Bruyninckx incorrectly lists track a as “What's Good About You.” Raben incorrectly lists track d as “Tangerine” as does HMV 7EG 8382. Farmer’s solos are generally very close to the melody of the songs recorded.

Teo Macero (ldr), Teo Macero (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Charles, Waldron, Macero
Track b - Charles (intro), Charles, Macero, Charles
Track c - Macero, Waldron, Charles
Track d - Macero, Charles, Waldron, Macero
Track e - Charles, Waldron, Macero
Track f - Waldron, Macero, Charles

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Sal Amato, Gerald Sanfino, Stan Webb (f), Harry Lookofsky, Gene Orloff, Leonard Posner, Alvin Rudnitsky, Sol Shapiro (vn), Burt Fisch, Howard Kay (vl), Maurice Brown (vc), Betty Glamann (hrp), Barry Galbraith (g), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Sol Gubin (d), Quincy Jones (con)

Farmer’s solos are generally very close to the melody of the songs recorded.

Curtis Fuller (ldr), Curtis Fuller (tb), David Amram, Julius Watkins (frh), Sahib Shihab (as), Teddy Charles, Hampton Hawes (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Teddy Charles (p) on d; Hampton Hawes (p) on a-c, e-f.

This session was originally released as half of a 16 rpm LP. Teddy Charles was the supervisor and presumably arranged all of his compositions. Similarly, Torrie Zito most likely arranged his two compositions and Amram, “Five Spot.”

On the OJC CD reissue, the liner notes and back cover have "Lyriste" and "Five Spot" interchanged. "Lyriste" is the 4th track on the CD, not the 5th.

Sahib Shihab (ldr), John Jenkins (as), Clifford Jordan (ts), Sahib Shihab (bar), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Dannie Richmond (d)

Prestige Jazz Quartet (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Soloists:
Track a - Charles, Waldron, Farmer, Segal
Track b - Charles, Waldron
Track c - Charles, Waldron, Charles, Waldron, Farmer, Charles, Charles/Waldron (4-bar exchanges with Segal)

Prestige Jazz Quartet (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Soloists: Waldron, Charles, Farmer (walking), Segal

Stan Getz (ldr), Stan Getz (ts), Mose Allison (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

b, c  performed as medley

Stan Getz (ldr), Stan Getz (ts), Mose Allison (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Tracks d (key of C major) and e (key of B-flat major) are improvisations on 12-bar blues with minimal if any themes.

Sam Most (ldr), Sam Most (ts, cl, f), Isadore Cohen, unknown (vn), Walter Trampler (vl), Charles McCracken (vc), Jimmy Raney (g), Hall Overton (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Haynes (d), Teddy Charles (con)

Sam Most (ts) on b, (cl) on f, (f) on a-e; Jimmy Raney (g) on a-b; Hall Overton (p) on a-b; Addison Farmer (b) on a-b, d-f; Roy Haynes (d) on a-b.

The fourth string player on this session remains unidentified but Teddy Charles remembered his first name as Lenny.

Soloists:
Track a - Raney, Most (f)
Track b - Overton (intro), Most (ts), Overton, Raney
Tracks c-e - Most (f)
Track f - Most (cl), Farmer

Mose Allison (ldr), Mose Allison (t, p, v), Addison Farmer (b), Nick Stabulas (d)

Mose Allison (t) on h, (p) on a-g, i-j, (v) on i-j.

Mose Allison (ldr), Mose Allison (t, p, v), Addison Farmer (b), Nick Stabulas (d)

Mose Allison (t) on j, (p) on a-i, (v) on d-e, i.

Mose Allison (ldr), Mose Allison (p, v), Addison Farmer (b), Ronnie Free (d)

Mose Allison (v) on h.

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Haynes (d)

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Hank Jones (p), Addison Farmer (b), Roy Haynes (d)

Track d may be from the April 19, 1958 session.

Lambert Hendricks & Ross (ldr), Kenny Burrell (g), Nat Pierce (p), Addison Farmer (b), Osie Johnson (d), Jon Hendricks, Dave Lambert, Annie Ross (v)

Mose Allison (ldr), Mose Allison (p, v), Addison Farmer (b), Ronnie Free (d)

Mose Allison (v) on h-i.

Art Farmer (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Benny Golson (ts), Bill Evans (p), Addison Farmer (b), Dave Bailey (d)

While unconfirmed, it is likely that Gryce was present in the studio to direct his arrangement.

Mal Waldron (ldr), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Kenny Dennis (d)