Joe Farnsworth, City of Sounds Review

Joe Farnsworth is a highly regarded jazz drummer that was born in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Farnsworth was raised in a musical family as his father was a music educator and he has four older brothers that are musician too, two of whom became professional musicians. He studied with Alan Dawson and Arthur Taylor before attending and graduating from William Patterson College in New Jersey. After graduating, Farnsworth began playing with saxophonist Eric Alexander and guitarist Peter Bernstein. When Farnsworth moved to New York City, he led the weekend jazz combos at Augie’s (now Smoke Jazz & Supper Club) and performed with Junior Cook, Cecil Payne, John Ore, Big John Patton, Harold Mabern, Eddie Henderson, John Jenkins, and his brothers, John and James. Farnsworth’s career includes recording over 100 CDs as a leader and sideman. As well as performing at jazz festivals and world tours with Pharaoh Sanders, Horace Silver, Harold Mabern, McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton, Diana Krall, Benny Golson, George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Lou Donaldson, Benny Green, Barry Harris, Curtis Fuller to name a few. He was the drummer for McCoy Tyner and a member of the Pharaoh Sanders Quartet, Harold Mabern Trio, and is a founding member of the renowned One for All Quintet. Farnsworth is releasing City of Sounds via the Smoke Sessions label.

Bottom Line:  City of Sounds was recorded during a live performance at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club with a superb trio featuring legendary pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Peter Washington. Farnsworth explains, “I’ve learned so much from this city,” Farnsworth declares. “Then the city got rocked, so I wanted to try to give back. One of the ways I could do that was by staying here and playing whenever and however I could to keep the sounds alive.” “New York Attitude” is the opening track and sets the tone and theme of the whole project. The up-tempo swing feel is buoyant and vibrant, with an active melody and accented hits. This Barron original was initially recorded on the pianist’s 1996 album of the same name and is dedicated to the toughness and tenacity of the New York City’s jazz mecca’s steadfast musical community. Farnsworth explains the mood, “People ask all the time if it’s still relevant to come to New York anymore,” Farnsworth concludes. “Without a doubt, if you were to spend a year here, you would be a better musician. Why? Charlie Parker’s not here, but you still feel him. Monk’s not here, but you still feel him. Their presence flows through the streets. It flows through the people. It’s the ultimate power source.” “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” is a well-known jazz vehicle and gives us a chance to really hear the trio’s approach to the standard repertoire. Barron is nimble and melodic as usual, with Washington and Farnsworth building a swinging texture. Farnsworth’s drumming is filled with subtle snare hits and more obvious fills. “Kenny suggested that tune,” Farnsworth says. “Everybody was so worried about the future at that point. We were constantly talking about taking things day by day. That’s all you heard during the pandemic, but it’s something you should hear every day. So ‘Softly’ is a reminder that today is a new day.” Overall, City of Sounds is a delight for the straight-ahead jazz fan. The trio is in sync, and the playing is conversational and speaks with the language from New York City’s jazz lineage. That’s the short of it!

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