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: Concert By the Sea
Jazz - Released by Universe on 9 Aug 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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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 -
The Classic Albums Collection
Jazz - Released by ENLIGHTENMENT on 21 Sep 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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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 -
Complete Jazz Series 1954
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 Feb 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1949 Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 Feb 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1944 Vol. 2
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 Feb 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Complete Jazz Series 1953 - 1954
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 Feb 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1949 - 1950
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 Feb 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Erroll Garner Plays (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Essential Media Group on 12 Apr 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Jazz Nº7 - EPs Collectors. Wizard Of The Ivories
Jazz - Released by Vintage Music on 22 May 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Piano Superstars, Three Golden Legends - Erroll Garner, Kenny Drew, James P. Johnson
Erroll Garner, Kenny Drew, James P. Johnson
Jazz - Released by Valley M on 11 Aug 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Misty (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, March 26, 1961)
Jazz - Released by SOFA - AV Catalog DD on 1 Jan 1955
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Solo In New York
Jazz - Released by The Copyright Group on 10 Jan 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'/People Will Say We're In Love/The Surrey With The Fringe On Top (Medley/Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, March 26, 1961)
Jazz - Released by SOFA - AV Catalog DD on 12 Jan 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo