Art Tatum?
Printed From: JazzMusicArchives.com
Category: Jazz Music Lounges
Forum Name: Jazz Music Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific jazz music albums
URL: http://www.JazzMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=631
Printed Date: 15 Jan 2025 at 4:02am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.16 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Art Tatum?
Posted By: rushfan4
Subject: Art Tatum?
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 1:57pm
| Is anyone familiar with Art Tatum? I was up at FYE yesterday and they had a 10 CD collection of his music available for $12.97. (I believe it might have been 10 volumes of his "masterpieces"). His bio does make him sound somewhat interesting. I have a feeling though that his music would have more appeal to my grandparents then it would to me. Any thoughts? |
Replies:
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 2:29pm
|
He plays classic old school swing piano, probably better than anybody. It is an older style, his heyday was the 30s and 40s. A good way to appreciate Tatum is to watch a video, his technique and speed are incredible. If we don't have a video of him, tell Kazuhiro, he can find anything. Because its an older style, (30s and 40s) you may not hear much that reminds you of Herbie or Chick Corea, except for when they purposefully channel older styles. A good way to get into older jazz is a little bit at a time. I was raised on funk and fusion, but I've gotten where I really enjoy jazz all the way back to the 1920s. Learning some history actually helped me appreciate it more too, not sure why.
|
Posted By: Matt
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 2:57pm
They say he was a monster on the piano and is rated one of the best ever in Jazz.. Basie in his auto biography stated that he only ever once got into a cutting contest with him once. The Count was left embarssed  ------------- Matt |
Posted By: dwill123
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 9:47pm
| This is what Vladimir Horowitz, one of the greatest classical pianists of the 20th century, said about Art Tatum, "If Art Tatum ever took up classical music seriously, he (Horowitz) would quit". That's how good Art Tatum was. Buy the collection, $13 is a steal. |
Posted By: danielpgz
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 4:19am
| Well, he was an amazing pianist, composer Igor Stravinsky also praised his technique many times. In my opinion, one great way of getting into his work is by listening his improvisations on romantic piano pieces from Chopin to Dvorak. |
Posted By: Chicapah
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 9:39am
|
All I know is that I saw just a few minutes of him performing on Ken Burns' extensive documentary about jazz music and I went slack-jawed in amazement. I've been looking for some of his records in the used vinyl bins for years now but I guess jazzers grab those up whenever they appear. Sounds like a heck of a deal to me because the guy was a monster!
------------- Make a joyful noise unto the Lord... |
Posted By: Jazz Pianist
Date Posted: 28 Jul 2011 at 10:31am
|
The man was the Rubenstein of Jazz! No honestly though, his technique was unmatched, I doubt even Oscar could top him. |