Peter Friedman

I like the Art Farmer quite a bit. A few others, not mentioned yet, that I like are: Buddy Tate / Paul Quinichette / Jay McShann - Kansas City Joys Ruby Braff - Them There Eyes

I saw Art Farmer a few times. Once with the Jazztet, and then much later with his Quintet at the (Colorado) Vail Jazz Party in 1996. My collection of Art's recordings is very extensive. He was a wonderful jazz musician.

String Quartet - Op.133 and Op.135

Haydn - Op.71/3 Beethoven - Violin Sonata No.9, Op.47 "Kreutzer"

I 'm glad you added that final paragraph. Yes the music (jazz, classical, pop,rock. whatever) will continue to change in one way or another. But for some listeners, yes, we have developed a comfort zone, and the music that is within that comfort zone is richly rewarding to us. That comfort zone may be large, or it may be small, and it may be different for each listener. Each individual has to make their own choice in this area.

Jim's lengthy statement has within it a number of important points. While I agree, to some extent with much of what he says, his emphasis on masturbation / procreation seems to me, to miss some important ideas. Personal taste among jazz fans / listeners was left out. Speaking only for myself, I have been listening seriously to jazz for numerous decades. During that long time span I have developed an affection for the playing of many many jazz musicians, and also for certain stylistic approaches to the music. When I listen to jazz either live or on recordings, the pleasure / enjoyment I get depends on a variety of factors, but procreation and musical mastubutation, are not in my mind. The ability of the musicians to play within styles I find appealing, the choice of notes, the technical competence, the ability to play interesting solos, the ability to swing, and the tunes played, are main factors in what matters. To use an example, the above means that I can enjoy the tenor playing of Bud Freeman, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Warne Marsh, Hank Mobley, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Johnny Griffin, James Moody, Sal Nistico , Scott Hamilton, Eric Alexander, and Grant Stewart, to list just some of the tenor players I enjoy. In the history of jazz, some of these players are of major importance, while others not so much. But that is not what counts for me at the moment I am listening to the playing of either Coleman Hawkins of Eric Alexander.

Piano Sonata No.27, Op.90 and No.32, Op.111