Art Farmer, born Arthur Stewart Farmer on August 21, 1928, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was a distinguished American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player, also known for playing the flumpet, a unique trumpet-flugelhorn hybrid designed for him. Raised in a musically inclined family, Farmer began his musical journey with the piano and later transitioned through several instruments before settling on the trumpet at age 13. He and his identical twin brother, Addison Farmer, a double bassist, started playing professionally during their high school years in Los Angeles.

Farmer's career took off in the early 1950s, during which he became known for his lyrical and emotionally impactful improvisational style. He initially gained attention with his composition "Farmer's Market" in 1952. Moving from Los Angeles to New York, he collaborated with prominent musicians such as Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, and Gigi Gryce, establishing himself primarily as a bebop player. Over time, Farmer expanded his musical repertoire, working with innovative composers like George Russell and Teddy Charles, and joined Gerry Mulligan's quartet. He co-founded the Jazztet with saxophonist Benny Golson, a significant collaboration in his career.

In the 1960s, Farmer transitioned from the trumpet to the warmer-toned flugelhorn, helping establish it as a solo instrument in jazz. His quest for an ideal sound led him to adopt the flumpet in the 1990s. In 1968, he relocated to Vienna, Austria, to join the Austrian Radio Orchestra, where he continued to perform and record with European musicians such as Fritz Pauer and Harry Sokal.

Throughout his career, Art Farmer was celebrated for his ability to collaborate effectively with other musicians, including jazz greats like Quincy Jones, Jimmy Heath, and Ron Carter. He recorded over 50 albums as a leader, a dozen with the Jazztet, and numerous others as a sideman. His contributions to jazz were recognized with several awards, including the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1998 and the NEA Jazz Masters designation in 1999.

Art Farmer passed away on October 4, 1999, in New York City, leaving behind a rich legacy of jazz music characterized by its lyricism, warmth, and sensitivity.