Tal Farlow
The Guitarist That Came and Went
Many persons think that to be a great jazz guitarist you must live only to play. Tal Farlow lived a full life and did justice to two careers, one as a
musician the other as a sign painter. A hot item in the fifties Tal started to play less and paint more in about 1958. In 1969 he released an album
entitled 'The Return Of Tal Farlow. His 1977 recording 'A Sign Of The Times' spoke about his sign painting in the liner notes. A flurry of recordings
have followed. 'Chromatic Palette' recorded in 1981 was another thinly veiled reference to his sign painting activities.
So what's the deal? Why did Tal Farlow come and go from the world of jazz guitar so frequently? Well it certainly wasn't because he couldn't cut it. He was noted for being extraordinarily fast and clean yet tasteful. Gibson created a Tal Farlow model in the early sixties feeling, no doubt, that he was a player of lasting significance.
So often, aspiring guitarists have the impression that they are only a success if they make their living exclusively from playing. Most jazz guitarists are talented versatile persons with a broad range of interests, interests that deserve to be pursued. Tal Farlow was a success in music and a success in an unrelated field and no doubt has had a richer life as a result. Johnny Smith is another man who has led a life rich in variety and experience. All musicians can benefit from these experiences. It is possible to be a great musician and still have a rich life apart from your musical interests. Tal Farlow was proof.
As this is written, there has been a recent story in a major financial journal describing professions that are experiencing a downward trend. Entertainers were at the top of the list. It would seem that the concept of being a full-time professional musician may become a rarity. Tal Farlow may have left a useful example of how to deal with the future of the music business.
