Impulse Virtuoso Series

[Teasing the Korean]

My copy of "The October Suite" by Gary McFarland and Steve Kuhn says "The Virtuoso Series" over the logo on the front cover. On the back, it says that this album is "...the first in a series..." combining classical and jazz.

Did this series ever take off?

[Teasing the Korean]

I guess not, judging by the lack of replies.

Edited January 30, 2013 by Teasing the Korean

[Head Man]

I guess not, judging by the lack of replies.

That would be my reading too!

[mjzee]

Is it mentioned in Ashley Kahn's book?

[jazztrain]

I found the following on line as part of a review of "The October Suite" (see here: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/steve_kuhn/the_october_suite/) but can't vouch for its accuracy:

>>>

The October Suite is something of a rare gem, a little-known, underrated oddity. It was released as the first (and only) album in Impulse's obscure "Virtuoso Series", which was probably the label's attempt to participate in the "Third Stream" and fuse jazz with classical elements. Contrary to the numerous embarrassing examples of the genre, it actually works. McFarland's compositions are strong, his arrangements foreground the music and care little about accessibility, and pianist Steve Kuhn, together with a string quartet and a dependable rhythm section (featuring Ron Carter), play a challenging, tasteful, and thoroughly enjoyable set.

>>

[Teasing the Korean]

Interesting, as I'd surmised. Thanks for sharing. I do love this album.

[mikeweil]

McFarland is very underrated, IMHO. One of the greatest arrangers of his generation who knew how to write music that is sophisticated but at the same time very easy to listen to.

[Ted O'Reilly]

McFarland is very underrated, IMHO. One of the greatest arrangers of his generation who knew how to write music that is sophisticated but at the same time very easy to listen to.

I'll go along with that, Mike.

Someone who was a very big fan of McFarland's was another great arranger, Rob McConnell. He had lots of McFarland's albums, and if one was playing in the background while you chatted with him, Rob could suddenly jump in with something like "Did you hear that! How did he make that work?!?" and run over to the piano to find just what McFarland had done.

I think it's because they were both mostly self-taught as arrangers, and didn't always do what was 'right and proper'. Sort of like Ellington in that respect.

[Bill Nelson]

A follow-up to 'the Virtuoso Series' might have been Mal Waldron's 'Sweet Love Bitter' (Impulse 9142, 1967).

There's a chamber-like quality consistently maintained for this soundtrack composed by Waldron.

While there are moments the trumpet, alto, and tenor cut loose and swing, they otherwise stick to the score.

That it was released six albums after 'October Suite' makes one curious why it didn't get the 'Virtuoso' tag.

Perhaps because the date was a one-shot by the free-spirited Waldron, who was headed to Europe?

[Teasing the Korean]

I have that soundtrack, but it's been years since I spun it. I'll check it out.

Incidentally, when I picked up McFarland's soundtrack to Eye of the Devil a.k.a 13, I was surprised to find that a passage from the first track on October Suite was used as the film's main theme.

[JSngry]

Is it mentioned in Ashley Kahn's book?

Why yes, it is, on pp 170-171. It gets one of the "album spotlight" (or whatever) profiles that run throughout the book.

Yes, it was the only item in the series. As to how the series came to be, here's Kuhn, as quoted by Kahn:

The October Suitewas going to be the first in a series of recordings that sort of went beyond the traditional jazz format...There was a gentleman named Norman Schwartz who was managing both Gary and me at the time. Norman was very friendly with Bob Thiele and suggested a new series on Impulse - trying to get in what you would call the Third Stream. I hate that term. I think the album succeeded because Gary wasn't trying to synthesize the two musics...

So evidently/essentially, it was a business deal suggested by a manager. McFarland was working a lot with Thiele in those days, so it was a good fit for everybody. Once.

[sgcim]

I have that soundtrack, but it's been years since I spun it. I'll check it out.

Incidentally, when I picked up McFarland's soundtrack to Eye of the Devil a.k.a 13, I was surprised to find that a passage from the first track on October Suite was used as the film's main theme.

Check out the harp solo in "Eye Of The Devil", one of my faves.

I still can't find the documentary on him anywhere. Has anyone seen it?

The musicians back then loved him. Clark Terry talks about how much he loved his music in his recent autobio, "Clark", bemoaning the fact that he was poisoned. Thankfully, the sicko that (inadvertently, he claimed) poisoned him is rotting in hell.

I've worked with two musicians who recorded with him- Gerry Sanfino, double wind player on "October Suite" and Joe Cucuozzo, and they get all choked up when remembering him.

[Teasing the Korean]

I have that soundtrack, but it's been years since I spun it. I'll check it out.

Incidentally, when I picked up McFarland's soundtrack to Eye of the Devil a.k.a 13, I was surprised to find that a passage from the first track on October Suite was used as the film's main theme.

Check out the harp solo in "Eye Of The Devil", one of my faves.

I still can't find the documentary on him anywhere. Has anyone seen it?

The musicians back then loved him. Clark Terry talks about how much he loved his music in his recent autobio, "Clark", bemoaning the fact that he was poisoned. Thankfully, the sicko that (inadvertently, he claimed) poisoned him is rotting in hell.

I've worked with two musicians who recorded with him- Gerry Sanfino, double wind player on "October Suite" and Joe Cucuozzo, and they get all choked up when remembering him.

Yes, the track with the harp solo is the one I'm talking about. It is in track 1 of October Suite.

I saw the documentary. It was very good. Great 8mm home movie footage of McFarland's wedding - Gabor Szabo and Lalo Shifrin are both there.