Despite having recorded a number of great albums for Verve and Impulse! in the 1960s and working with stars like Bill Evans, Stan Getz and Anita O’Day, vibist/composer/arranger Gary McFarland (pictured) remains a forgotten name in jazz. That’s unfortunate. McFarland’s skills on the vibes were considerable. And he wrote clever, emotional music that deserves far more recognition than it has received.
Perhaps a few heads will be turned on to McFarland’s sound this Sunday night when Newark, N.J. radio station WGBO-FM (88.3) spotlights the vibist on their “Jazz From the Archives” program. The hour-long show begins at 11 p.m. and will also be broadcast from www.wbgo.org so that those outside the Newark area may enjoy it as well.
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