SCOTT LaFARO

Rocco Scott LaFaro (April 3, 1936 – July 6, 1961) was an influential jazz bassist, perhaps best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio.

Biography

Born in Newark, New Jersey, LaFaro grew up in a musical family (his father played in many big bands). He started on piano while in elementary school, began on the bass clarinet in junior high school, changing to tenor saxophone when he entered high school in Geneva, NY. He only took up the double bass at 17 in the summer before he entered college, when he learned a string instrument was required for music education majors. About three months into his studies at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, LaFaro decided to concentrate on bass. He often played in groups at the College Spa and Joe's Restaurant on State Street in downtown Ithaca.

He entered college to study music but left during the early weeks of his Sophomore year, when he joined Buddy Morrow and his big band.[4] He left that organization in Los Angeles after a cross country tour and decided to try his luck in the Los Angeles music scene. There, he quickly found work and became known as one of the best of the young bassists. In 1959, after many gigs with such luminaries as Chet Baker, Percy Heath, Victor Feldman, Stan Kenton, Cal Tjader [5], and Benny Goodman, LaFaro joined Bill Evans, who had recently left the Miles Davis Sextet. It was with Evans and drummer Paul Motian that LaFaro developed and expanded the counter-melodic style that would come to characterize his playing. Ornette Coleman also collaborated with him around this time.

Death

LaFaro died in an automobile accident in the summer of 1961 in Flint, New York on US 20 between Geneva and Canandaigua, two days after accompanying Stan Getz at the Newport Jazz Festival. His death came just ten days after recording two live albums with the Bill Evans Trio, Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby, albums considered among the finest live jazz recordings.

Although he performed for only six years (1955-1961), LaFaro's innovative approach to the bass redefined jazz playing bringing an "emancipation" introducing "so many diverse possibilities as would have been thought impossible for the bass only a short time before" , and inspired a generation of bassists who followed him.

LaFaro played a double bass made in 1825 in Concord, New Hampshire by Abraham Prescott. The top of the instrument is a three-piece plate of slab-cut fir; the back is a two-piece plate of moderately flamed maple with an ebony inlay at the center joint; the sides are made of matching maple. It has rolled corners on the bottom and very sloped shoulders on the top, making it easier to get in and out of thumb position

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Rocco Scott LaFaro (1936-1961) was a musician of the first order, who found his 'voice' in jazz in the mid-1950s. His played the double bass violin, better known today as the acoustic bass to differentiate this instrument from the electric (or electronic) bass. His life was cut short in an automobile accident in the summer of 1961 near Geneva, New York, his home town. Although he performed for only six years (1955-1961), his innovative approach to the bass astounded his contemporaries, and to this day his recorded performances continue to surprise and delight.  
Those who have found the Bill Evans Jazz Resource on the Internet know of the profound interplay among Paul Motian, Scott LaFaro and Bill Evans in a jazz trio that for many musicians to this day remains a model of sonority, complexity, and swing. Scott LaFaro's bass playing 'alchemy' (to borrow from an Ornette Coleman recording on which LaFaro performed) propelled Bill Evans to meet the artistic challenge of balance in a jazz trio. 
The trios of Art Tatum, Nat Cole, and Oscar Peterson feature the pianist. Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian were of one voice. The Evans trios that followed in the wake of the tragic death of Scott LaFaro in 1961, continued the search for balanced interplay but, notwithstanding the contributions of Chuck Israels and Larry Bunker, Gary Peacock, Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell and Elliot Zigmund, Marc Johnson and Joe LaBarbera, musicians with technical facility and swing, the pianist's voice remained dominant.
The post-LaFaro trios of Bill Evans achieved maturity and polish, the result of many years of playing together. Evans and LaFaro and Motian played (and recorded) as a trio less than two years, from December 1959 to June 1961. It is the sense of harmonic exploration and discovery, challenge and response, time's ebb and flow, that draws one to listen again and again to Portrait in Jazz, Explorations, Sunday at the Village Vanguard, and Waltz For Debby. These recordings are as fresh today as when they were first made, and together serve as an archetype of the jazz piano trio. 
Scott LaFaro's mastery of his chosen instrument began after his 1954 graduation from high school. Although he played bass only six years, LaFaro remains a beacon for jazz bassists.

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Jazz Legends: Scott LaFaro  

Born on April 3, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey 
Died on July 6, 1961 in Flint, New York 

He never recorded as a leader, appeared on less than twenty albums, and had just two regular gigs, the most famous for barely a year. Yet Scott LaFaro is probably the most influential bassist of the past 50 years. He took the bass away from its role as a strict timekeeper, and made it a more melodic instrument. Plucking his notes from the strings’ underside, he produced more volume than had been possible. He concentrated on the instrument’s high end, for a sound that was, in the words of critic Joe Goldberg, "as though he were playing a large guitar." It was when LaFaro joined his group that Bill Evans devised his theory of "simultaneous composition" – a style that not only influenced all subsequent Bill Evans trios, but also affected the trio format as a whole. Possibly no other musician has made such impact on his instrument at such a young age. 

Rocco Scott LaFaro was born in New Jersey in 1936; the family moved to Geneva, New York when he was five. Scott’s father was a violinist who had played for Paul Whiteman and the Dorsey Brothers; in Geneva he was the leader of a supper-club band. At the age of ten, LaFaro began piano lessons; when he entered high school in 1950, he was playing tenor sax and bass clarinet. Playing in the school band, he asked bassist Gail Brown if he could see her instrument. She taught Scott the chord positions, but he remained with the sax … until a basketball injury in 1953 hurt his embouchure. Later that year he heard Leroy Vinnegar play in a local club; this revived his interest in the bass. By the time he graduated in 1954, LaFaro was already playing the area nightclubs, sometimes on tenor, sometimes on bass. After a short stay at Ithaca College, Scott joined the band of Buddy Morrow, and remained with him until September of 1956. A few weeks later he joined up with Chet Baker, where he started a friendship with the drummer Larance Marable. "I found out so much from Larance, a lot of it just from playing with him." 

When the Chet Baker group played New York in early 1957, Scott’s playing impressed Victor Feldman; about a year later, LaFaro would play on Feldman’s first American album. When he left Baker, Scott moved to Los Angeles and studied with Herb Geller for several months. ("I couldn’t find enough work, and besides, I definitely needed the practice.") His fortune turned in 1958: his performance on the album The Arrival of Victor Feldman led to sessions with Hampton Hawes and Stan Getz. He spent a short time with Paul Bley (it was the first time Scott played with Ornette Coleman) and sat in with Thelonious Monk on a couple of occasions. By the time he joined Bill Evans in late 1959, LaFaro was improvising at all times – not just on his solos. Evans listened closely, reacted to Scott, who responded in kind … an approach was born. If this gig established the reputation of Scott LaFaro, it also enhanced the standing of Bill Evans. 

Scott first recorded with Evans on the various-artists album Dedications; their first full album together was Portrait in Jazz. Ornette Coleman used him for his 1960 album Ornette!; two days later he was in the studio with Evans, making the eloquent Explorations. He also got the chance to play a live date with John Coltrane, on a day when Steve Davis was late to the club. The following year was Scott’s busiest, juggling the projects of Getz, Evans, and Ornette. On June of 1961 the Evans trio had a memorable week at New York’s Village Vanguard; the final day of the engagement, June 25th, was taped in its entirety. On July 3, he played Newport with Stan Getz; it would be the final performance of Scott LaFaro. On July 5 he visited his mother in Geneva, and stayed until it was very late. He was invited to spend the night, but said no; he had to get back to New York. In the early hours of July 6, Frank Ottley and Scott LaFaro died when Scott’s car left the road, hit a tree, and caught fire. Bill Evans was so distraught he did not perform publicly for nearly a year; LaFaro’s bass style has been adopted by Eddie Gomez and many musicians since. 

People who influenced him: Leroy Vinnegar 

People whom he influenced: Bill Evans, Eddie Gomez, Charlie Haden, Dave Holland 

Played with: Chet Baker, Paul Bley, Willie Bobo, Conte Candoli, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Buddy DeFranco, Eric Dolphy, Bill Evans, Victor Feldman, Tommy Flanagan, Herb Geller, Stan Getz, Jimmy Giuffre, Vince Guaraldi, Charlie Haden, Hampton Hawes, Roy Haynes, Billy Higgins, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, Hank Jones, Thad Jones, Richie Kamuca, Wynton Kelly, Barney Kessel, Steve Kuhn, Harold Land, Mel Lewis, Booker Little, Thelonious Monk, Paul Motian, Marty Paich, Frank Rosolino, Bobby Timmons, Cal Tjader 

Quotes by Scott LaFaro: 
"I don’t like to look back, because the whole point in jazz is doing it now." 

Quotes about Scott LaFaro: 

Recommended Reading: 
Martin Williams, "Introducing Scott LaFaro", The Jazz Review, August 1960. 

Recommended Recordings: 
As sideman: 
Ornette Coleman – Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation by the Ornette Coleman Double Quartet (Atlantic, 1961) Not the first free-jazz recording, but the one which named the genre, and established the style. Scott plays on the left speaker with Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard, and Billy Higgins; Coleman’s regular group is on the right speaker. Everyone plays wildly, without changes or meter – within a structured (yet simple) framework. A major influence on the jazz avant-garde, from John Coltrane to Albert Ayler. 

Bill Evans – Explorations (Riverside, 1960) With a faster pace than usual for him, Evans excels, on the second album with his classic trio. He sounds like he’s racing on "Beautiful Love", trying to get all his ideas stated; "Israel" is forceful, compact, and poignant. The presence of LaFaro seemed to make Evans work harder. 

Bill Evans – Sunday at the Village Vanguard (Riverside, 1961) Choice excerpts from Scott’s final recording; he would die about two weeks later. Tunes were selected to highlight the bass – as a result, there’s less piano than most albums by Evans. Some of LaFaro’s best solos are here: a lovely bounce on "Alice in Wonderland", the breezy joy of "Gloria’s Step", and the slow drone of "Jade Visions", Scott’s own composition. 

Bill Evans – Waltz for Debby (Riverside, 1961) Something of a ballad album, this has the remaining tracks from the Village Vanguard session. Scott has some solos, but the main attraction is Evans, with some of the slowest, most beautiful piano you have ever heard. Highlights include "Detour Ahead" (in two lovely takes), the first full-length version of "Waltz for Debby", and "Some Other Time", which is the basis for "Peace Piece". If you’ve never heard Bill Evans, this would be a great introduction. 

Victor Feldman – The Arrival of Victor Feldman (Contemporary, 1958) Feldman, best known as a pianist, here spends much of his time on the vibes. "Waltz" has a breathless spiral of notes, and "Chasing Shadows" has a good dose of blue piano. (Orrin Keepnews once compared Feldman to Wynton Kelly.) LaFaro sounds more conventional than his later efforts, but is starting to stretch – check out his solo on "S’posin’". 

Stan Getz – Stan Getz/Cal Tjader Sextet (Fantasy, 1958) A light-hearted swing session, Stan plays strongly on Latin-flavored backgrounds. Vince Guaraldi is the pianist, and leads them through "Ginza Samba", a ten-minute jam session. It’s hardly earth-shattering, but it makes for great listening. 

Hampton Hawes – Bird Song (Original Jazz Classics, 2000) Hiding in a tape box for 40 years, this trio session was apparently made on the same date as For Real! Scott is heard more prominently here, mixing with Hawes on a great program of standards. The album also includes a different trio session with Paul Chambers and Larance Marable. 

Hampton Hawes – For Real! (Contemporary, 1959) Hawes’ first album with a horn would be his last for five years, until John Kennedy pardoned him from a drug sentence. On tenor is Harold Land, a forceful and underrated voice; highlights are an explosive version of "Crazeology" and a tender "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams".

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Biography 

Born: April 3, 1936; Died: July 6, 1961 

Rocco Scott LaFaro (1936-1961) was a musician of the first order, who found his 'voice' in jazz in the mid-1950s. His played the double bass violin, better known today as the acoustic bass to differentiate this instrument from the electric (or electronic) bass. His life was cut short in an automobile accident in the summer of 1961 near Geneva, New York, his home town. Although he performed for only six years (1955-1961), his innovative approach to the bass astounded his contemporaries, and to this day his recorded performances continue to surprise and delight.

Those who have found the Bill Evans Jazz Resource on the Internet know of the profound interplay among Paul Motian, Scott LaFaro and Bill Evans in a jazz trio that for many musicians to this day remains a model of sonority, complexity, and swing. Scott LaFaro's bass playing 'alchemy' (to borrow from an Ornette Coleman recording on which LaFaro performed) propelled Bill Evans to meet the artistic challenge of balance in a jazz trio.

The trios of Art Tatum, Nat Cole, and Oscar Peterson feature the pianist. Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian were of one voice. The Evans trios that followed in the wake of the tragic death of Scott LaFaro in 1961, continued the search for balanced interplay but, notwithstanding the contributions of Chuck Israels and Larry Bunker, Gary Peacock, Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell and Elliot Zigmund, Marc Johnson and Joe LaBarbera, musicians with technical facility and swing, the pianist's voice remained dominant.

The post-LaFaro trios of Bill Evans achieved maturity and polish, the result of many years of playing together. Evans and LaFaro and Motian played (and recorded) as a trio less than two years, from December 1959 to June 1961. It is the sense of harmonic exploration and discovery, challenge and response, time's ebb and flow, that draws one to listen again and again to Portrait in Jazz, Explorations , Sunday at the Village Vanguard, and Waltz For Debby. These recordings are as fresh today as when they were first made, and together serve as an archetype of the jazz piano trio.

Scott LaFaro's mastery of his chosen instrument began after his 1954 graduation from high school. Although he played bass only six years, LaFaro remains a beacon for jazz bassists.

Source: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=8537

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Biography by Scott Yanow

During his tragically short life, Scott LaFaro quickly developed into one of the most advanced bassists around, competing with Charlie Haden and Charles Mingus. He emphasized high notes, could play with great speed, and his interplay with Bill Evans in their trio was mutually stimulating and influential. LaFaro originally played clarinet and tenor before settling on bass while in college. He was with Buddy Morrow's band (1955-1956), toured with Chet Baker (1956-1957), and worked during the next few years with Ira Sullivan, Barney Kessel, Cal Tjader, and Benny Goodman, among others. LaFaro joined the Bill Evans Trio in 1959 and, although he would record with Ornette Coleman (including Free Jazz) and gig with Stan Getz, the bassist is best-remembered for his association with Evans, particularly their Village Vanguard recordings of 1961. The 25-year-old Scott LaFaro's death in a car accident shortly after was a major shock to the jazz world.

Source: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:41dqoa9abijz

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Scott LaFaro Discography

1955 (The age of 19)
Buddy Morrow And His Orchestra
Buddy Morrow (tb, ldr) Bill Haverman or Dave McKenna (p) Scott LaFaro or Chuck Sagle or Dave Poshonka (b) Bob McKee (d) Jimmy Randolph (vo -3) unidentified orchestra 
NYC, December 20, 19551. W340 Tippity Top Wing W 90047 
2. W341 Georgia Bop Dance Wing MGW 12006 
3. W342 A Band Of Angels Wing W 90047 

* Buddy Morrow - Music For Dancing Feet (Wing MGW 12006; Mercury MG 20210)
* Buddy Morrow - Tippity Top c/w A Band Of Angels (Wing W 90047, W 90047x45) 
1956 (The age of 20)
Chet Baker Quintet
Chet Baker (tp) Phil Urso (ts) Francy Boland (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Lawrence Marable (d) 
television broadcast, "Tonight Show", Los Angeles, CA, late 1956 Intro Philology (It) 214W 13 
 Extra Mild - 
 C.T.A. - 

* Clifford Brown/Chet Baker - Trumpet Geniuses Of Fifties: Black And White Series, Vol. 1 (Philology (It) 214W 13) 
Buddy Morrow And His Orchestra
Buddy Morrow (tb, ldr) Scott LaFaro (b) unidentified orchestra, and others 
Chicago, IL, 1956 Day By Day Standard Radio Transcription Services ST 1039 
 Don't Worry About Me - 
 They Didn't Believe Me - 
 Little Girl Blue - 
 If There's Someone Lovelier Than You - 
 Somebody Somewhere - 
 Blue Suede Shoes - 
 My Blue Heaven - 
 April In Paris - 
 Main Title - 

* Buddy Morrow - Shorty-Tunes (Standard Radio Transcription Services ST 1039) 

Walt Stewart (tp) Dick Johnson (as) replaces others 
same location, date13306 Theme From "The Proud Ones" Wing W 90079 
13307 Paradise Lost - 
13308 Laura Mercury MG 20167, MG 20221 
13309 Portrait Of Jennie Mercury MG 20221 

* Various Artists - Sweet And Solid (Mercury MG 20167)
* Buddy Morrow And His Golden Trombone (Mercury MG 20221)
* Buddy Morrow - Theme From "The Proud Ones" c/w Paradise Lost (Wing W 90079, W 90079x45) 
Buddy Morrow And His Orchestra
same personnel 
NYC, 195613422 My Foolish Heart Mercury MG 20221 
13423 Symphony - 
13424 There Will Never Be Another You - 

* Buddy Morrow And His Golden Trombone (Mercury MG 20221) 
Buddy Morrow And His Orchestra
Walt Stewart (tp) Buddy Morrow (tb, ldr) Dick Johnson (as) Scott LaFaro (b) unknown (vocal group -5) unidentified orchestra 
Universal Recorders, Chicago, IL, 19561. 14035 The Song Is You Mercury MG 20221 
2. 14036 Cerise - 
3. 14037 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To - 
4. 14038 This Is Autumn - 
5. 14585 The Trolley Song unissued 
6. 14580 Pink Lady Mercury MG 20396 
7. 14581 I'll Close My Eyes Mercury MG 20221, MG 20396 
8. 14582 With A Song In My Heart Mercury MG 20221, EP 1-4040, MG 20396 
9. 14583 Rib Joint Mercury 71024, MG 20396 
10. 14584 With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair Mercury MG 20221, MG 20396, MG 20795 

* Buddy Morrow And His Golden Trombone (Mercury MG 20221)
* Buddy Morrow - Night Train (Mercury MG 20396, SR 60009)
* Various Artists - Spring Is Here (Mercury MG 20795, SR 60795)
* Buddy Morrow And His Orchestra (no details) (Mercury EP 1-4040, 71024) 
1957
Beverly Kelly With Pat Moran Trio
Pat Moran (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Gene Gammage (d) Beverly Kelly (vo) 
NYC, late 1957 Lover Come Back To Me Audio Fidelity AFLP 1874 
 The Man I Love - 
 I Get A Kick Out Of You - 
 I Wish I Knew - 
 You Don't Know What Love Is - 
 I'm Glad There Is You - 
 Sometimes I'm Happy - 
 You And The Night And The Music - 
 But Not For Me - 
 This Love Of Mine - 
 Embraceable You - 
 Spring Is Here - 

* Beverly Kelly Sings With The Pat Moran Trio (Audio Fidelity AFLP 1874) 
Pat Moran Trio
Pat Moran (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Gene Gammage (d) 
NYC, maybe December, 1957 Making Whoopie Audio Fidelity AFLP 1875 
 In Your Own Sweet Way - 
 Onilisor - 
 Stella By Starlight - 
 Someone To Watch Over Me - 
 Come Rain Or Come Shine - 
 Blackeyed Peas - 
 I Could Have Danced All Night - 
 Farewells - 
 Yesterdays - 
 Blues - 

* This Is Pat Moran (Audio Fidelity AFLP 1875, AFSD 5875) 
1958
Victor Feldman Trio
Victor Feldman (vib, p) Scott LaFaro (b) Stan Levey (d) 
Los Angeles, CA, January 21 & 22, 1958 Serpent's Tooth Contemporary C 3549 
 Waltz (Frederic Chopin) - 
 Chasing Shadows - 
 Flamingo - 
 S'posin' - 
 Bebop - 
 There Is No Greater Love - 
 Too Blue - 
 Minor Lament - 
 Satin Doll - 

* The Arrival Of Victor Feldman (Contemporary C 3549, S 7549; Fantasy OJC 268, OJCCD 268-2) 
Stan Getz - Cal Tjader Sextet
Stan Getz (ts) Cal Tjader (vib) Vince Guaraldi (p) Eddie Duran (g) Scott LaFaro (b) Billy Higgins (d) 
San Francisco, CA, February 8, 1958 Ginza Samba Fantasy LP 3266; Prestige PR 24019 
 I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face - 
 For All We Know - 
 Crow's Nest - 
 Liz-Anne - 
 Big Bear - 
 My Buddy - 

* Stan Getz/Cal Tjader Sextet (Fantasy LP 3266, LP 8005, LP 3348, F 8348, OJC 275, OJCCD 275-2)
= Stan Getz With Cal Tjader (America (F) 30 AM 6069)
* Stan Getz - Five Brothers (Prestige PR 24019) 
Hampton Hawes Quartet
Harold Land (ts) Hampton Hawes (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Frank Butler (d) 
Los Angeles, CA, March 17, 1958 Hip Contemporary M 3589; Prestige PRCD 11015-2 
 Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams Contemporary M 3589 
 Crazeology - 
 Numbers Game - 
 For Real Contemporary M 3589; Prestige PRCD 11015-2 
 I Love You Contemporary M 3589 

* Hampton Hawes - For Real! (Contemporary M 3589, S 7589; Fantasy OJCCD 713-2)
* Hampton Hawes - Blues The Most (Prestige PRCD 11015-2) 
Hampton Hawes Trio
Hampton Hawes (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Frank Butler (d) 
Contemporary Records' Studio, Los Angeles, CA, March, 1958 What's New? Fantasy OJCCD 1035-2 
 I'll Remember April - 
 Blue 'N' Boogie - 

* Hampton Hawes - Bird Song (Fantasy OJCCD 1035-2) 
Buddy DeFranco And His Septette
Herbie Mann (fl, ts, bcl) Buddy DeFranco (cl) Pete Jolly (p, accor) Victor Feldman (p, vib) Barney Kessel (g) Scott LaFaro (b) Frank De Vito (d) 
Los Angeles, CA, April 4, 195822200-4 Oh, Lady Be Good! Verve MGV 8383 
22201-3 Satin Doll Verve MGV 8383, VSP 21 
22202 Lullaby In Rhythm unissued 
22203-7 My Funny Valentine Verve MGV 8383 
22204-7 Blues For Space Travelers - 
22205-4 Ballad Medley: I'm Glad There Is You / There's No You / These Foolish Things - 
22206-1 Tin Reeed Blues - 
22207-4 Crazy Rhythm - 

* Buddy DeFranco And His Septette - Live Date! (Verve MGV 8383, MGVS 6166)
* Herbie Mann - Big Band Mann (Verve VSP 21) 
Richie Kamuca Quintet
Frank Rosolino (tb) Richie Kamuca (ts) Scott LaFaro, Carl Perkins (b) Stan Levey (d) Ruth Price (vo -3,4) 
KABC Studios, Los Angeles, CA, April 7, 19581. Cherry Vantage NLP 5007 
2. Deep In A Dream - 
3. You Are Lucky Star unissued 
4. Until The Real Thing Comes Along - 
5. Chart Of My Heart Vantage NLP 5007 
6. (blues exit) unissued 

* Richie Kamuca/Victor Feldman/Cal Tjader - Kamuca - Feldman - Tjader: Featuring Scott LaFaro (Vantage NLP 5007) 
Victor Feldman Quartet
Ritchie Kamuca (ts) Victor Feldman (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Stan Levey (d) 
"Lighthouse Club", Hermosa Beach, CA, September, 1958 It Could Happen To You (It Could Happen To Me) Fresh Sound (Sp) FSCD 1030 
 Bass Blues - 

* Joe Gordon/Scott LaFaro - West Coast Days (Fresh Sound (Sp) FSCD 1030) 
Victor Feldman Trio
Victor Feldman (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Stan Levey (d) 
November 10, 1958 There's No Greater Love Vantage NLP 5007 
 Flamingo - 
 Be Bop - 

* Richie Kamuca/Victor Feldman/Cal Tjader - Kamuca - Feldman - Tjader: Featuring Scott LaFaro (Vantage NLP 5007) 
1959
Marty Paich And His Orchestra
Frank Beach (tp) Stu Williamson (tp, vtb) George Roberts, George Roberts (tb) Bob Enevoldsen (vtb, ts) Vince DeRosa (frh) Jimmy Giuffre (cl, bars) Art Pepper (as) Bill Perkins (ts) Victor Feldman (vib, per) Marty Paich (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Mel Lewis (d) 
Los Angeles, CA, January, 1959 Too Close For Comfort Warner Bros. WB 1296 
 Yonger Than Spring Time / Surrey With The Fringe On Top - 
 I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face - 
 It's All Right With Me - 
 I Love Paris - 
 Lazy Afternoon - 
 Just In Time - 
 If I Were A Bell - 
 I've Never Been In Love Before - 

* Marty Paich - The Broadway Bit (Warner Bros. WB 1296, WS 1296)
= Marty Paich - The New York Scene (Discovery DS 844)
= Marty Paich - Moanin' (Discovery DSCD 962) 
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Bud Brisbois, Joe Burnett, Rolf Ericson, Frank Huggins, Roger Middleton (tp) Archie Le Coque, Jimmy Knepper, Kent Larsen (tb) Jim Amlotte, Bill Smiley (btb) Lennie Niehaus (as) John Bonnie, Bill Trujillo (ts) Billy Root, Sture Swenson (bars) Stan Kenton (p, arr, cond) Scott LaFaro (b) Jerry McKenzie (d) 
Ukiah, CA, February 26, 1959 How Deep Is The Ocean Status (E) STCD 109 
 Walking Shoes - 
 The Nearness Of You - 
 Lullaby Of Broadway - 
 Where Or When - 
 The End Of A Love Affair - 
 On The Street Where You Live - 
 The Way You Look Tonight - 
 Jersey Bounce - 
 My Funny Valentine - 
 Tenderly - 
 That Old Feeling - 
 More Than You Know - 
 I Remember You - 
 When I Fall In Love - 
 They Didn't Believe Me - 
 So In Love - 
 All Of You - 
 Closing Medley: Eager Beaver / Painted Rhythm / Dynaflow / Opus In Chartreuse / Jump For Joe / Artistry In Rhythm - 

* Stan Kenton At Ukiah 1959 (Status (E) STCD 109) 
Victor Feldman Tentet
Conte Candoli (tp) Frank Rosolino (tb) Walter Benton (ts) Victor Feldman (vib) Vince Guaraldi (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Stan Levey (d) Mongo Santamaria (cga) Armando Peraza (bgo) Willie Bobo (tim) 
Los Angeles, CA, March 2, 1959 Poinciana Contemporary C 5005 
 Spain - 
 Cuban Love Song - 
 Woody'n You - 

* Victor Feldman - Latinsville! (Contemporary C 5005, S 9005, CCD 9005-2) 
Victor Fedman Octet
Conte Candoli (tp) Walter Benton (ts) Victor Feldman (vib) Vince Guaraldi (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Mongo Santamaria (cga) Armando Peraza (bgo) Willie Bobo (tim) 
Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1959 The Gypsy Contemporary C 5005 
 In A Little Spanish Town - 

* Victor Feldman - Latinsville! (Contemporary C 5005, S 9005, CCD 9005-2) 
Stan Kenton Orchestra
Bud Brisbois, Joe Burnett, Rolf Ericson, Frank Huggins, Roger Middleton (tp) Archie Le Coque, Jimmy Knepper, Kent Larsen (tb) Jim Amlotte, Bill Smiley (btb) Lennie Niehaus (as) John Bonnie, Bill Trujillo (ts) Billy Root, Sture Swenson (bars) Stan Kenton (p, arr, cond) Scott LaFaro (b) Jerry McKenzie (d) Mike Pacheco (per) 
Burbank, CA, March, 1959 Theme And Variations Hindsight HCD 612 
 Fearless Finlay - 
 I Concentrate On You - 
 My Old Flame - 
 Intermission Riff - 
 La Suerte De Los Tontos - 
 Bernie's Tune - 
 Street Scene - 
 Out Of This World - 

* The Stan Kenton Orchestra In Concert (Hindsight HCD 612) 
Herb Geller Quintet With Barbara Long
Thad Jones (tp) Herb Geller (as) Hank Jones (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Elvin Jones (d) Barbara Long (vo -1,2) 
NYC, June 9, 19591. 3542 Mama's Talkin' Soft Atco LP 33-109 
2. 3543 Everything's Coming Up Roses - 
3. 3544 Together Wherever We Go - 

* Herb Geller And His All Stars Play Selections From Jule Styne And Stephen Sondheim's Music For "Gypsy" (Atco LP 33-109, SD 33-109) 
Herb Geller Quintet With Barbara Long
Thad Jones (tp) Herb Geller (as) Billy Taylor (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Elvin Jones (d) Barbara Long (vo -1) 
NYC, June 10, 19591. 3545 Small World Atco LP 33-109 
2. 3546 Some People - 
3. 3547 You'll Never Get Away From Me - 
4. 3548 Little Lamb - 
5. 3549 Cow Song - 

* Herb Geller And His All Stars Play Selections From Jule Styne And Stephen Sondheim's Music For "Gypsy" (Atco LP 33-109, SD 33-109) 
Tony Scott Quartet
Tony Scott (cl) Bill Evans (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
NYC, October 28, 1959 Misery (To Lady Day) Sunnyside SSC 1015 
 Requiem For "Hot Lips" Page - 
 Blues For An African Friend - 

* Tony Scott - Sung Heroes (Sunnyside SSC 1015) 
Tony Scott Trio
Tony Scott (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
NYC, October 28, 1959 Remembrance Of Art Tatum Sunnyside SSC 1015 

* Tony Scott - Sung Heroes (Sunnyside SSC 1015) 
Bill Evans Trio
Bill Evans (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
NYC, December 28, 1959 Come Rain Or Come Shine (take 4) Riverside RCD 30678 
 Come Rain Or Come Shine (take 5) Riverside RLP 12-315, RLP 1162; Prestige P 24052 
 Autumn Leaves (take 9) (mono take) Riverside RLP 12-315; Milestone M 47034; Fantasy OJCCD 088-2; Riverside RCD 30678 
 Autumn Leaves (stereo take) Riverside RLP 1162 
 Witchcraft Riverside RLP 12-315, RLP 1162 
 When I Fall In Love - 
 Peri's Scope Riverside R 45435, RLP 12-315, RLP 1162 
 What Is This Thing Called Love? - 
 Spring Is Here Riverside RLP 12-315, RLP 1162 
 Someday My Prince Will Come - 
 Blue In Green (take 3) - 
 Blue In Green (take 1) Riverside RCD 30678 
 Blue In Green (take 2) Fantasy OJCCD 088-2; Riverside RCD 30678 

* Bill Evans - Portrait In Jazz (Riverside RLP 12-315)
* Bill Evans - Portrait In Jazz (Riverside RLP 1162; Fantasy OJC 088, OJCCD 088-2; Riverside RCD 30678)
= Bill Evans - Spring Leaves (Milestone M 47034)
* Various Artists - Piano Giants (Prestige P 24052)
* Bill Evans - Peri's Scope c/w What Is This Thing Called Love? (Riverside R 45435) 
1960
Bill Evans Trio
Bill Evans (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
"Birdland", NYC, March 12, 1960 Autumn Leaves (March 12th On The Books) Alto AL 719; Cool & Blue C&B CD 106 
 Our Delight (Fingerology) - 
 Beautiful Love (Ides Of March) / Five (theme) - Evans - A Rare Original (Alto AL 719)
* Bill Evans - The 1960 Birdland Sessions (Cool & Blue C&B CD 106) 
Bill Evans Trio
same personnel 
"Birdland", NYC, March 19, 1960 Autumn Leaves (March 19th On The Books) Alto AL 719; Cool & Blue C&B CD 106 
 Come Rain Or Come Shine / Five (theme) - 

* Bill Evans - A Rare Original (Alto AL 719)
* Bill Evans - The 1960 Birdland Sessions (Cool & Blue C&B CD 106) 
Booker Little Quartet
Booker Little (tp) Tommy Flanagan (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Roy Haynes (d) 
NYC, April 13, 1960 Opening Statement Time M 52011 
 Minor Sweet - 
 The Grand Valse - 
 Who Can I Turn To? - 

* Booker Little (Time M 52011, S 2011) 
Booker Little Quartet
Booker Little (tp) Wynton Kelly (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Roy Haynes (d) 
NYC, April 15, 1960 Bee Tee's Minor Plea Time M 52011 
 Life's A Little Blue - 

* Booker Little (Time M 52011, S 2011) 
Bill Evans Trio
Bill Evans (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
"Birdland", NYC, April 30, 1960 Come Rain Or Come Shine (Billie Bounces Light) Session Disc 113; Cool & Blue C&B CD 106 
 Nardis / Blue In Green (Billie Bounces Light) Alto AL 719; Cool & Blue C&B CD 106 
 Autumn Leaves Session Disc 113; Cool & Blue C&B CD 106 

* Hooray For Bill Evans Trio (Session Disc 113)
* Bill Evans - A Rare Original (Alto AL 719)
* Bill Evans - The 1960 Birdland Sessions (Cool & Blue C&B CD 106) 
Bill Evans Trio
same personnel 
"Birdland", NYC, May 7, 1960 All Of You Session Disc 113; Ozone 20; Cool & Blue C&B CD 106 
 Come Rain Or Come Shine - 
 Speak Low - 

* Hooray For Bill Evans Trio (Session Disc 113)
* John Handy Quintet - Bill Evans Trio (Ozone 20)
* Bill Evans - The 1960 Birdland Sessions (Cool & Blue C&B CD 106) 
John Lewis - Gunther Schuller - Jim Hall Orchestra plus The Contemporary String Quartet
Ornette Coleman (as -1) Charles Libove, Roland Vamos (vln) Harry Zaratzian (vla) Alfred Brown (vla -2) Joseph Tekula (vlc) Jim Hall (g) Scott LaFaro (b) Alvin Brehm (b -1) Sticks Evans (d -1) Gunther Schuller (comp, arr, cond) 
NYC, December 19, 19601. 5232 Abstraction Atlantic LP 1365 
2. 5233 Piece For Guitar And Strings - 

* John Lewis/Gunther Schuller/Jim Hall - Jazz Abstractions (Atlantic LP 1365, SD 1365) 
John Lewis - Gunther Schuller - Jim Hall Orchestra plus The Contemporary String Quartet
Robert DiDomenica (fl) Eric Dolphy (fl -1, as, bcl, fl -2) Ornette Coleman (as -2) Charles Libove, Roland Vamos (vln) Harry Zaratzian (vla) Joseph Tekula (vlc) Eddie Costa (vib) Bill Evans (p) Jim Hall (g) George Duvivier, Scott LaFaro (b) Sticks Evans (d) Gunther Schuller (arr, cond) 
NYC, December 20, 19601. 5235 Variants On A Theme Of John Lewis (Django): Variant I / Variant II / Variant III Atlantic LP 1365 
2. 5236 Variants On A Theme Of Thelonious Monk (Criss Cross): Variant I / Variant II / Variant III / Variant IV - 

* John Lewis/Gunther Schuller/Jim Hall - Jazz Abstractions (Atlantic LP 1365, SD 1365) 
Ornette Coleman Octet
Don Cherry (pocket tp) Freddie Hubbard (tp) Eric Dolphy (bcl) Ornette Coleman (as) Charlie Haden, Scott LaFaro (b) Ed Blackwell, Billy Higgins (d) 
NYC, December 21, 19605247-1? The First Take (Free Jazz (alt. take)) Atlantic SD 1588 
5247 Free Jazz, Pt. 1 Atlantic LP 1364 
- Free Jazz, Pt. 2 - 

* Ornette Coleman - Twins (Atlantic SD 1588, SD 8810)
* Ornette Coleman - Free Jazz (Atlantic LP 1364, SD 1364) 
1961 (The age of 25)
Ornette Coleman Quartet
Don Cherry (cor) Ornette Coleman (as) Scott LaFaro (b) Ed Blackwell (d) 
NYC, January 31, 19615316 Untitled Atlantic unissued 
5317 W.R.U. Atlantic LP 1378 
5318 Check Up Atlantic SD 1588 
5319 T&T Atlantic LP 1378 
5320 C&D Atlantic LP 1378, SD 1558 
5321 R.P.D.D. Atlantic LP 1378 
5322 The Alchemy Of Scott LaFaro Atlantic SD 1572 
 Proof Readers Rhino R2 71410 

* Ornette Coleman - Ornette! (Atlantic LP 1378, SD 1378)
* Ornette Coleman - Twins (Atlantic SD 1588, SD 8810)
* The Best Of Ornette Coleman (Atlantic SD 1558)
* Ornette Coleman - The Art Of The Improvisers (Atlantic SD 1572)
* Ornette Coleman - Beauty Is A Rarething (Rhino R2 71410) 
Bill Evans Trio
Bill Evans (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
NYC, February 2, 1961 Israel Riverside RLP 351 
 Haunted Heart - 
 Beautiful Love (take 2) - 
 Elsa Riverside R 45462, RLP 351 
 Nardis Riverside RLP 351 
 How Deep Is The Ocean? Riverside R 45462, RLP 351 
 I Wish I Knew Riverside RLP 351 
 Sweet And Lovely - 
 Beautiful Love (take 1) Fantasy OJCCD 037-2 
 The Boy Next Door Milestone M 47034; Fantasy OJCCD 037-2 

* Bill Evans - Explorations (Riverside RLP 351; Fantasy OJC 037, OJCCD 037-2)
= Bill Evans - Spring Leaves (Milestone M 47034)
* Bill Evans - Elsa c/w How Deep Is The Ocean? (Riverside R 45462) 
Stan Getz Quartet
Stan Getz (ts) Steve Kuhn (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Pete LaRoca (d) 
Chicago, IL, February 21, 196123486-3 Baubles, Bangles And Beads unissued 
23487-1 Little Old Lady - 
23488-1 I Remember Clifford - 
23489-2 For You, For Me, Forevermore - 
23490-3 Airegin Verve 815 239-1 
23491-4 Speak Low unissued 
23492-4 Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most - 

* Stan Getz - Stan The Man (Verve 815 239-1) 
Bill Evans Trio
Bill Evans (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Paul Motian (d) 
"Village Vanguard", NYC, matinee 1, June 25, 1961 Gloria's Step (take 1) Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3 
 Alice In Wonderland (take 1) Milestone M 9125; Fantasy OJCCD 140-2 
 My Foolish Heart Riverside RLP 399 
 All Of You (take 1) Milestone M 9125, MCD 9235-2 

* Bill Evans - More From The Vanguard (Milestone M 9125)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (Riverside RLP 399; Fantasy OJC 210, OJCCD 210-2)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Fantasy OJCCD 140-2)
* Bill Evans - On Green Dolphin Street (Milestone MCD 9235-2) 
Bill Evans Trio
same personnel 
"Village Vanguard", NYC, matinee 2, June 25, 1961 My Romance (take 1) Riverside RLP 399 
 Some Other Time - 
 Solar Riverside RLP 376 

* Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (Riverside RLP 399; Fantasy OJC 210, OJCCD 210-2)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RLP 376; Fantasy OJC 140, OJCCD 140-2)
= Bill Evans Live At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RS 3006)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3) 
Bill Evans Trio
same personnel 
"Village Vanguard", NYC, soiree 1, June 25, 1961 Gloria's Step (take 2) Riverside RLP 376 
 My Man's Gone Now - 
 All Of You (take 2) - 
 Detour Ahead (take 1) Milestone M 9125; Fantasy OJCCD 210-2 

* Bill Evans - Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RLP 376; Fantasy OJC 140, OJCCD 140-2)
= Bill Evans Live At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RS 3006)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - More From The Vanguard (Milestone M 9125)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (Fantasy OJCCD 210-2) 
Bill Evans Trio
same personnel 
"Village Vanguard", NYC, soiree 2, June 25, 1961 Waltz For Debby (take 1) Milestone M 9125; Fantasy OJCCD 210-2 
 Alice In Wonderland (take 2) Riverside RLP 376 
 (I Loves You,) Porgy Milestone M 47002; Fantasy OJCCD 210-2; Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3 
 My Romance (take 2) Milestone M 9125; Fantasy OJCCD 210-2 
 Milestones Riverside RLP 399 

* Bill Evans - More From The Vanguard (Milestone M 9125)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RLP 376; Fantasy OJC 140, OJCCD 140-2)
= Bill Evans Live At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RS 3006)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (Riverside RLP 399; Fantasy OJC 210, OJCCD 210-2)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3) 
Bill Evans Trio
same personnel 
"Village Vanguard", NYC, soiree 3, June 25, 1961 Detour Ahead (take 2) Riverside RLP 399 
 Gloria's Step (take 3) Milestone M 9125; Fantasy OJCCD 140-2 
 Waltz For Debby (take 2) Riverside RLP 399 
 All Of You (take 3) Milestone M 9125; Fantasy OJCCD 140-2 
 Jade Visions (take 1) - 
 Jade Visions (take 2) Riverside RLP 376 
 (...a few final bars) Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3 

* Bill Evans - Waltz For Debby (Riverside RLP 399; Fantasy OJC 210, OJCCD 210-2)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - More From The Vanguard (Milestone M 9125)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3)
* Bill Evans - Sunday At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RLP 376; Fantasy OJC 140, OJCCD 140-2)
= Bill Evans Live At The Village Vanguard (Riverside RS 3006)
= Bill Evans - The Village Vanguard Sessions (Milestone M 47002)
= Bill Evans - The Complete Live At The Village Vanguard 1961 (Riverside (J) VICJ 60951/3) 
Stan Getz Quartet
Stan Getz (ts) Steve Kuhn (p) Scott LaFaro (b) Roy Haynes (d) 
"Newport Jazz Festival", Newport, RI, July 3, 1961 Baubles, Bangles And Beads Raretone (It) FC 5010 
 Where Do You Go? - 
 Airegin - 

* Stan Getz Special, Vol. 1 (Raretone (It) FC 5010) 
Others
Victor Feldman Ensemble
Conte Candoli (tp) Frank Rosolino (tb) Walter Benton (ts) Victor Feldman (vib, p) Vince Guaraldi, Andy Thomas (p) Scott LaFaro, Al McKibbon, Tony Reyes (b) Willie Bobo, Stan Levey, Nick Martinis (d) Mongo Santamaria (cga) Frank Guerrero, Armando Peraza, Ramon Rivera (per) 
unknown location, date Poinciana Contemporary CCD 9005-2 
 Pancho - 
 The Breeze And I - 
 Bullues Bullose - 
 Lady Of Spain - 

* Victor Feldman - Latinsville! (Contemporary CCD 9005-2)

Source: http://www.jazzdisco.org/scott-lafaro/discography/