Release Date: 05 January 2005
Label: Naxos - Jazz Legends / Naxos Jazz Legends
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 636943277126
Genres: Jazz
Description
ERROLL GARNER Vol.3'Erroll Garner Plays Misty' Original Recordings 1953-1954Erroll Garner was a true original. No pianistsounded like him before he rose to prominencein the mid-1940s, and few ever played with hisconsistent joy. Throughout his career, Garnerdefied several stereotypes. He was always verypopular yet never watered down his music. Hisstyle did not change much after 1950 yet it neverbecame stale, overly predictable or safe. In atime when jazz was being seen as more 'serious'and less entertaining, Garner had no troubleexciting large crowds. And although he neverlearned to read music, he wrote several notablecompositions including 'Misty'. Music seemedto magically flow through Erroll Garner, and hegave the impression that he never even neededto look at the keyboard; all he had to do was sitdown at the piano.Erroll Garner was born 15 June 1921 inPittsburgh. His older brother Linton Garner wasa fine pianist although one who settled inCanada and never became that famous. Errolldeveloped his technique early on and, by thetime he was ten, he was playing on the radiowith the Kan-D-Kids. After getting out ofschool, Garner worked professionally in thePittsburgh area for a few years including withthe Leroy Brown Orchestra during 1938-41. In1944 he moved to New York and for a year wasa member of bassist Slam Stewart's trio. Itwould be the last time he would work regularlyas a sideman.Garner began recording as a leader in late1944. By the time he left Stewart's group, hehad developed his own recognizable style. Onmedium-tempo pieces, he often stated everybeat with his left hand like a chordal rhythmguitar while his right played chords slightlybehind the beat, creating a distinctive echoeffect. On ballads, Garner tended to berhapsodic and emotional, hinting at cocktailpianists but utilizing much more sophisticatedchord voicings. In addition, he delighted increating playful free-form introductions to tunesthat did not give hints to his bassist anddrummer what song was coming up. Garner'sunclassifiable style to an extent emulated aswing era orchestra but he was flexible enoughto fit into the world of bop too. In 1946 herecorded a session with Charlie Parker andsounded quite comfortable. Garner's popularitygrew steadily during 1945-50 and his famebecame international after having a successfulvisit to France in 1948.One of Garner's great skills was his ability tosit at the piano and record one gem afteranother. It was not unusual for him to recordenough material in one session for two or threealbums, all first takes, all well worth hearing.The material on this collection dates fromthree sessions from 1953-54 which resulted in aremarkable total of 54 selections, 24 cut on27 July 1954 alone. Both bassist Wyatt Rutherand drummer Fats Heard made their debuts asmembers of Garner's trio on the 27 February1953 session and they toured regularly withGarner until late 1954. Ruther and Heardplayed quietly and with solid swing, followingtheir leader's every move fo
Tracklisting
Teagarden:Goodman:Nicholas
Jelly Roll Morton
James, Harry
Hawkins, Coleman
Guthrie, Woody
Grappelli
Grappell
George Shearing
Erroll Garner
Erroll Garner
Erroll Garner
Erroll Garner
Erroll Garner
Erroll Garner
Erroll Garner
