Talmage Holt Farlow, known as Tal Farlow, was an influential American jazz guitarist born on June 7, 1921, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He began playing guitar at the age of 22, teaching himself by using a mandolin tuned like a ukulele. Farlow's unique style involved using the higher four strings for melody and chord structure, while the two bottom strings were used for bass counterpoint, played with his thumb. His career in music was inspired by Charlie Christian, and he even made his own electric guitar due to financial constraints.

Farlow gained public attention in 1949 as part of a trio with Red Norvo and Charles Mingus. He later joined Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five in 1953 and formed his own trio in 1955. After marrying in 1958, he partially retired and returned to sign painting, though he continued to play locally. In 1962, Gibson Guitar Corporation released a "Tal Farlow" model guitar with his involvement. He resumed recording in 1976, and a documentary about him was released in 1981.

Known for his large, quick hands, Farlow was nicknamed "The Octopus." His style was characterized by incredible speed, long, weaving lines, rhythmic excitement, and a highly developed harmonic sense. He died of esophageal cancer on July 25, 1998, in New York City at the age of 77.