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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Rhapsody (Atlantic 10 inch Album of 1950)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 30 jun. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Contrasts (Album of 1955)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 31 mei 2021
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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 -
Serenade for Laura (Album of 1955)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 31 mei 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Garnering (Mercury Album of 1954)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 30 jun. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lady Be Good
Jazz - Released by Editions Audiovisuel Beulah on 3 jul. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Playing Piano Solos, Vol. 1 (10inch Album of 1950)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 31 mei 2021
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 -
Afternoon Tunes
Jazz - Released by extramasters rec-ords on 17 mrt. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I'm in the Mood for Love (Digitally Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Big City Jazz on 6 jan. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Close Up in Swing
Jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 22 jan. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1952 - 1953
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 feb. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1950
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 feb. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1949 Vol. 1
Jazz - Released by Complete Jazz Series on 9 feb. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Solo, New York, 1944-45
Jazz - Released by Acrobat Music on 26 apr. 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Swinging Solos + Soliloquy
Jazz - Released by Efor, S.L on 1 jan. 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Overture To Dawn - , Vol. 1 (Blue Note 10 inch Album of 1952)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 30 jun. 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo