I just watched two new DVDs -- OPs '77 Montreax with Ray Brown and Niels Pederson and EGs '64 BBC Trio Session.

Normally you wouldn't think Garner could hold a candle to Peterson, but for me the Garner DVD was much more enjoyable. Having said that, the technical facility that OP had was absolutely amazing!

Garner's style is much more distinctive and fun for me.

Peterson amazes me. I'd love to see the Garner DVD, though.

Garner is much more fun to listen to in my opinion. My favorite he does is "memories of you".
Garner is also neat cause he didn't read a single note of music. amazing.

They are very different in style, diffent swing sense, different harmonic and melodic styles. They are both extremely musical.
Garner has the more unique and original style. Peterson sounds more contemporary, cleaner, faster and has more precision.

May I say this. I hardly ever compare jazz pianists with each other. I enjoy their interpretations as individuals, which of course they are indeed. That is the fascination to me.

I agree with you John, on Garner's unique talent. He is the very best Iv'e seen on the DVD 'In Performance' which covered his best playing period upwards, in my view. The DVD is in two parts it's easy to forget, don't miss the second half!

I have seen someone saying Erroll must have had lessons but they were only a few as a young child before he found he could play the sounds he wanted by ear. That is true ear playing IMHO. I have that ability and have had, since I was about 12 when I had about 6 lessons and decided I wanted to play my own way.I could understand what the key sounds were in my subconscious. A bit like singing I think. Only you remember how to make the sounds on the keyboard instead of using your vocal chords. If that makes any sense.

Erroll took this strange ability to the highest level. Though I suspect the blind pianists have to use sound sub-conscious memory recall too, like George Shearing. Though I know there is Braile sheet music.

Peterson's Concert in Montreux 1977 DVD. takes some beating. Not long before he had his very serious 'Stroke' Though he has made a reasonable recovery, all very sad. His mentor was Art Tatum of course.

Alan

Garner grew up in a musical household so he was exposed to music and the piano from a very early age. So it is no mystery how he picked up the "language" by ear.