"Tea for Two" on Art Tatum's Birthday (10/ 13)

 

Tea for Two (10 / 13/ 22)

Comments

[Dr. Earle Hitchner]

From the perspective of sheer mastery in technique, Art Tatum (1910-1956) was the greatest jazz pianist ever. Some credit the breadth and nimbleness of his hands, but they are only part of the explanation. It's the nimbleness in his mind and his moment-to-moment creativity that stamp him as sui generis. (Keep in mind that he was also partially sighted.) Even now, I gasp in wonderment at his stunning harmonic variations. What he could conceive musically, he could execute musically. The greatest keyboard rival to Art Tatum in jazz WAS Art Tatum. Happy birthday, Art! Great post, David!

[David Lehman]

Thank, Dr Earle. He is my favorite jazz pianist, and there is a lot of competition (Teddy Wilson, for example).

[another DL]

As the story goes, when Oscar Peterson was still a boy, and a fledgling piano prodigy, he was becoming a bit too big-headed, so his father brought home a 78rpm of Tatum (probably this tune, first version), played it for young Oscar, and asked him what he thought. Oscar replied, "Both pianists are impressive. Great duet." His father then pointed out it was only a single player named Art Tatum. It humbled Oscar, who bore down, and speaks years later of remaining intimidated by Tatum when he came to NYC and Oscar took him under his wing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAeT3Dr74Ys

[ALAN WEARNE]

Both Gustave Mahler & Art Tatum in the same issue...WOW!