Erroll Garner was so soulful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEd4nxYdo5U

Thanks for the clip. This is one I have not seen before. Do we know what the recording is please.I take it that these clips on U Tube are from recordings?

Alan

At the beginning of the clip there is a 1974 date and some reference to a German studio. I presume it is from a TV program.

Here is Erroll Garner playing Jerome Kern's

"All The Things You Are"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmP0iz7j7kU

.

Thanks for the clip rintincop.

I have the Biography of Erroll and it has all his recordings and live concerts listed so will look up the data.

I have a large collection of LP's Cd's and a few videos. I feel as though I'm his greatest fan. I have seen him in concert in England at least twice (1960s) and had one back stage 'one to one' meeting in his dressing room. A really magic moment for me.

As with so many musicians died far too young with angina.

Alan

I read Garner's biography too, I was a big fan. It mentioned he was ambidextruous and could write and play golf left or right handed. I would like to hear in detail what you recall about meeting him backstage.


PS
There is a black and white, excellent quality, DVD of the Garner Trio playing in a British TV studio.

"Something"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE0wxMGLEkE

To AD,and Rintincop;

If you are interested in Erroll's music there is a video available called 'Erroll Garner-In Performance' ISBN 0-7697-7524-1 see Kultur website.

There is I think a DVD of it also.Yes I see you have it RTC. (my editing)


This recording is C 1964 done in England and first shown on BBC TV. Hence a small studio audience.

If you get this video be sure to play the whole tape as it's possible to miss the 2nd half, as the whole thing is divided by the presenter and it's not immediately obvious.

Yes Erroll plays with what I call a 'downhand into the keys' fingering. Not the most popular style but it works for him and worth noting as this topic has come up on the 'Teaching forums' sometimes.

I certainly like to sit high and have my arms at a downward angle with the elbows higher than the keyboard. Not like a dog begging style.

Although Erroll played jazz his introductions were often rather like a Classical composition and he could do some very good runs down the keys. He was left handed and his brain must have been an asset that way, Just notice how his independance of the two hands are.

The best example I've seen of a true 'by ear'
player.

rintincop. I have just seen your new post.So editing this as I go.

When I spoke to Erroll back stage he was sipping a Budwieser and we had not a great deal of time to talk as other's were waiting their turn. He was very jolly and so friendly. I thanked him warmly for his playing and we shook hands etc. That was about it as I remember, this was a long time ago. About the time of the recording mentioned above. I saw him at two other occasions in concert too. Also Oscar Peterson, twice.

Inspirational, to say the least, but boy, some challenge to copy, no way in fact! In my dreams.

Alan.

They say Mozart could hear a quartet sonata once and then go home and play it from memory. Imagine having that musical memory. It explains a lot of his genius.

On the other hand I read in Erroll Garner's biography, he played compeletly by ear, where he had the hardest time remembering new simple tunes. There was one episode where he appeared on a TV show and he was to play the theme song at the opening. They rehearsed but Erroll could not seem to remember it, so at air time they had the show's musical director stand behind the curtain near Garner and sing it to him a measure ahead. Erroll was in the habit of learning new songs by listening to the record over and over again in his hotel room, which is not at all unusual for a non-classical artist.

Unfortunately the link took me to different videos and I couldn't find Erroll Garner.

But I do recall what my jazz piano teacher said about Erroll. He said that the man was an amazingly good pianist for someone with such horrendous technique.

Errol Garner's "Concert by the Sea." So moving it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

Edit:
I FOUND IT!
LOL
-------------------
The link to it said it was a private video.
I need to accept a friends request or something.

Help! It sounds so good....

Where or When 1962.... I found him using the youtube search engine. (I misspelled his name).
Thanks for sharing about this fellow I am not familiar with him by name... love what I am hearing now. You are right... he plays soulfully.
Musicality just flows from him. I am melting....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyQjJONzksM

Just One of Those Things--- E. Garner playing piano. Cole Porter tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0-ukGgAEUo

Sheer brilliance! I wish I could play like that.

E. Garner playing My Silent Love (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiIlrWDBttk

Thanks!

I'm sure you're familiar with the song "Misty", which was composed by Errol Garner and was a huge hit for Johnny Mathis years ago.

His technique wasn't "horrendous". He couldn't have played as beautifully as he did if that were true. There are certainly many pianists in different genres who were technically better, but that doesn't make him "horrendous".

Misty is one of my favorite songs to sing... and play along with. Along with Skylark; Solitude, In A Sentimental Mood.

I hope more Erroll Garner videos will show up at youtube. I want to go get some of his CDs now.

The youtube clips are wonderful.

I'll side with Music Lover....
after all who is teaching lessons and who is wowing audiences anyhow. Erroll is famous ... has your Jazz Piano reached the heights of Erroll?

I guess I'd have to look more closely at his technique... but his expressive playing is spot on. JMO