Erroll Garner
One of the most distinctive of all pianists, Erroll Garner proved that it was possible to be a sophisticated player without knowing how to read music, that a creative jazz musician can be very popular without watering down his music, and that it is possible to remain an enthusiastic player without changing one's style once it is formed. A brilliant virtuoso who sounded unlike anyone else, on medium tempo pieces, Erroll Garner often stated the beat with his left hand like a rhythm guitar while his right played chords slightly behind the beat, creating a memorable effect. His playful free-form introductions (which forced his sidemen to really listen), his ability to play stunning runs without once glancing at the keyboard, his grunting, and the pure joy that he displayed while performing were also part of the Erroll Garner magic.
Garner, whose older brother Linton was also a fine pianist, appeared on the radio with the Kan-D-Kids at the age of ten. After working locally in Pittsburgh, he moved to New York in 1944 and worked with Slam Stewart's trio during 1944-1945 before going out on his own. By 1946, Garner had his sound together, and when he backed Charlie Parker on his famous Cool Blues session of 1947, the pianist was already an obvious giant. His unclassifiable style had an orchestral approach straight from the swing era but was open to the innovations of bop. From the early '50s on, Garner's accessible style became very popular and he never seemed to have an off day up until his forced retirement (due to illness) in early 1975. His composition "Misty" became a standard. Garner, who had the ability to sit at the piano without prior planning and record three albums in one day (all colorful first takes), made many records throughout his career for such companies as Savoy, Mercury, RCA, Dial, Columbia, EmArcy, ABC-Paramount, MGM, Reprise, and his own Octave label.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Erroll Garner - The Selection
Erroll Garner, John Simons, Wilson Shadow
Jazz - Released by Vintage Jukebox on 15 Jun 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lullabye of Birdland : Erroll Garner at the Piano
Jazz - Released by Mach60 Music on 1 Sep 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Mono Version)
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1955
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz piano (Mono version)
Erroll Garner, Pete Johnson Trio
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Piano Moods (Columbia 10 Inch ALbum of 1950)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 31 Jul 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Erroll Garner - Gene Norman Presents "Just Jazz" (10 Inch Album of 1951)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 31 Jul 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Erroll Garner On Dial - The Complete Sessions
Bebop - Released by Spotlite on 8 Mar 1999
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Classic Albums Collection
Jazz - Released by ENLIGHTENMENT on 21 Sep 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Close-Up in Swing (Mono Version)
Erroll Garner, Eddie Calhoun, Martin Kelly
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
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The Greatest Garner
Bebop - Released by Music Manager on 9 Aug 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
GARNER, Erroll: Yesterdays (1944-1949)
Traditional Jazz & New Orleans - Released by Naxos on 20 Jun 1949
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dreamstreet (Album of 1961)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 31 May 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Complete Paris Impressions (All Tracks Remastered)
Jazz - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 24 Mar 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Remastered Hits Vol. 4 (All Tracks Remastered)
Jazz - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 10 Jun 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Greatest Garner (Album of 1956)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 30 Jun 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bounce With Me
Jazz - Released by Blaricum CD Company (B.C.D.) B.V. on 30 Jan 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Greatest Hits (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Harlem Jazz Records on 3 Mar 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo