"His approach to the bass...it was a beautiful thing to see...He was a constant inspiration." - Bill Evans

Scott LaFaro was one of the twentieth century’s most influential jazz musicians. 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. Best known for his landmark recordings with Bill Evans, LaFaro played bass a mere seven years before his life and career were cut short by an automobile accident when he was only 25 years old, his sudden death causing a major shock to the jazz world.

Listening to this album is like taking a quantum leap in time. It’s like eavesdropping on a New York apartment in 1961 and hearing someone playing his bass with total conviction sometimes alone, sometimes with others, resonating from where he lives. This time we hear Scotty on a recording session with Don Friedman on piano and Pete LaRoca on drums. These performances have the raw feel of a jam session and you can sense this group hasn’t benefited from a season of playing regularly together, yet there are inspired moments, from each musician. It’s another fascinating look into a ‘day-in-the-life’ of a great musician who sadly left us with too few days to travel back to again.

LaFaro has always been praised for his adventurous solos and his forays on Pieces of Jade are no exception.
The album includes a 1966 interview in which Bill Evans speaks very movingly about his late bandmate. A great tribute.
- Jazz Times

The greatness of LaFaro is re-established here as he once more excels in the trio format. In this context, it's possible to further appreciate LaFaro's improvisational skill and full bass sound, as he rhythmically marches through Friedman's "Sacre Bleu" and frames his buoyant solo on "Green Dolphin Street."
- Allaboutjazz.com

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

For the 2xHD transfer of this recording, the original 1/4”, 15 ips NAB master tape was played on a Nagra-T?modified?with?high-end?tube playback electronics, wired with OCC?silver cable from the playback head direct to a Telefunken EF806 tube. The Nagra T has one of the best transports ever made, having four direct drive motors, two pinch rollers and?a?tape tension head.
We did an analog transfer for each high-res sampling and A & B comparisons were made with the original LP, using the KRONOS turntable with a BLACK BEAUTY tone arm.

Each format (96kHz, 192kHz, DSD2.8mHz and DSD5.6mHz) was created using Merging Horus/Hapi A/D converter, calibrated to the required format, and a dCS Vivaldi clock
2xHD was created by producer/studio owner Andre Perry and audiophile sound engineer Rene Laflamme.