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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLaFARO, Scott(b 3 April 1936, Newark NJ; d 6 July 1961 in a car crash near Geneva NY) Bassist, one of the finest of his generation. He started on reeds as a child, then played bass at Ithaca Conservatory and went on the road with the Buddy Morrow dance band when he was still a teenager. He played with Chet Baker on the West Coast, with Ira Sullivan in Chicago, then back out west with Sonny Rollins and others including appearances at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach; then with Benny Goodman briefly, then with a Bille Evand trio (with Paul Motian) until he died. He was only 23 when he won a New Star Award in down beat critics' survey; his ability to keep time and also invent free melodies influenced Steve Swallow, Gary Peacock, and others who came after him. Recordings with Evans included Portrait In Jazz '59, Explorations '61, Sunday At The Village Vanguard, Waltz For Debby, all on Riverside; More From The Vanguard on Mainstream, last three all from the same '61 session. Also recorded with Victor Feldman on Contemporary, Pat Moran (pianist, b Helen Mudgett, 10 December 1934, Enid OK) on Audio Fidelity, Booker Little '60 on Time/Bainbridge/Island (The Legendary Quartet Album); also Gunther Schuller's Abstractions, Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz and Ornette, all '60-1 on Atlantic. |