Art Tatum

[andyfox]

If you have never heard Art Tatum's recordings, do so at once. Completely blind in one eye, only partially sighted in the other, the great jazz pianist might have been the greatest pianist--jazz, classical or otherwise--ever.

Here are a couple of examples. When I first heard Tatum's recordings, I thought they must have been speeded up. But he really did play this fast.

Enjoy. If my links are no good, go to You Tube and listen for Art Tatum Tiger Rag and Art Tatum Yesterdays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzj6Q...ed&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7wib...ed&search=

[Phat Mack]

Tiger Rag was a little weird--he must have lost a lot of weight.

[BigPoppa]

I'm such a Phillistine.


I saw the title and immediately thought of Jack Tatum who played Safety for the Raiders back in the 70's.


Also, I'm old.

[JaBlue]

He's talented, that's for sure.

I never liked piano for jazz, though; no tone modulation. its nice to play two hands and all but i'd much rather hear someone wail on a horn or something.

[amplify]

If you like Art Tatum, listen to all the Thelonius Monk you can get your hands on. Next level.

[z28dreams]

I found art tatum when someone here recommended him to me when I mentioned I like piano jezz (probably wynton).

Tatum is frickin awesome.

JaBlue - Tone modulation and dissonance in general kind of annoys me - especially by a saxophone. I prefer very harmonious music though, and it's obviously a personal thing.

[Xanta]

Don't know a lot about jazz, but from what I've just listened to, Tatum's music sounds more technically impressive than Monk's. However, I have a love affair with Thelonious Alone in San Fransico that really can't be replaced. Love to get my hands on some more though.

[amplify]

[ QUOTE ]
Tatum's music sounds more technically impressive than Monk's.

[/ QUOTE ]
In terms of virtuosity, yes. In terms of musical sophistication, no. Monk takes some getting used to. It's kind of like the difference between Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Miles might flub some of his notes, while Dizzy plays the hardest passages flawlessly, but Miles plays with more soul and pushes the musical boundaries.

[Greenmachine]

if you want more in the mold of art tatum you can check out some oscar peterson. I always liked monk compositionaly but playing wise he was never my favorite.

[amplify]

or Bill Evans