Search - Don Fagerquist :: Eight by Eight

Don Fagerquist: Not forgotten!

Phillip Moore | NJ | 04/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Years ago, my high school Band Director introduced me to the talents of Don Fagerquist as he played a Les Brown record where Don did an exquisite solo on "Love Is Here To Stay". I was immediately impressed by the many facets of his artistry: great tone, sensitive & expressive styling, flawless technique, nimble agility, a wealth of ideas from which to draw, etc. All of this was enhanced by an underlying creativity that produced clear melodic ideas that were beautifully turned into highly unified streams of lyricism. Listen to Don's solos--they always make sense! In addition, Don has a way of elaborating the melody with delightful little turns and inflections that really add a tasty quality without losing sight of the tune. I continued to try to follow his playing as much as I could--catching glimpses of him on various jazz albums or on the Danny Kaye show studio orchestra. Fortunately, there have been recent reprints on CD of these wonderful recordings like this one so we can continued to listen and learn from these great jazz artists. For this recording, Don chose some wonderful company in the likes of Marty Paich (piano & arranger), Herb Geller (alto), Ronnie Lang (bari), Mel Lewis (drums), and Ed Leddy (trumpet, of Stan Kenton fame). These players also get ample opportunity to display their skills. Though he is gone, Don will never be forgotton. I hope younger players will listen and emulate him."

Don Fagerquist: Breathtaking Jazz trumpet.A true legend!

jj@cconnect.net | New Bern, North Carolina | 02/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a host on a radio Jazz show. Have collected all of Don Fagerquist's work. His talent was underrated. His breath control was awesome. His taste impeccable. Ranks as among the finest lyrical players in the history of Jazz. This album proves how versatile he was. His vibrato work on slow tunes brings meaning to a song. Most memorable...and the man can swing with the best. Fagerquist was notable for his phrasing; filled with a creation of notes that go unchallenged. This album gets my highest recommendation !!"

Yet Another Forgotten Virtuoso

pat judycki | Chicago | 11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don Fagerquist came up the hard way. The big bands and long bus rides were his conservatory. The discipline required is extraordinary, but if one keeps his ears open and listens to his section mates, he learns as much about music as any aspirant studying at the feet of Schnabel or Solti. To this we must add talent, of course. And in Fagerquist we find an extremely talented, trained musician able to play almost anything. That he chose jazz as his primary vehicle of expression demands good taste if one is to be a major player. When you listen to FQ, you hear a musician's musician playing what the music--not the audience--demands. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and especially its last eight bars, is a perfect example of the sublime. There are many others on this recording, but that is the one that comes to mind immediately. Bravura playing? With Fagerquist, technical virtuosity serves the music. He was a musician who happened to be a trumpeter. And, unfortunately, this is the only example of his playing recorded under his name that is in print. What a pity!"