Art Tatum Biography

[richidoo]

Supposedly the only bio-pic on Tatum, "The Art of Jazz Piano." I watched this with my daughter the pianist, she was impressed.

Art Tatum - The Art Of Jazz Piano

Was he the greatest pianist ever? The few who you might think would earn that honor, Horowitz, Rubenstein said that Tatum was the greatest.

[mfsoa]

WOW Thanks Rich. I watched the whole thing last night.

I like the feeling that a musician has an unlimited range of choices in what to play next, and simply chooses one for this instant in time. Coltrane gives me that feeling but not as much as Art.

I recall a story told by Oscar Peterson: - He (Oscar) was acting like big-man-on-campus in high school, as I'm sure his piano skills must have been impressive. To take him down a notch, his dad bought him an Art Tatum record. Oscar listened and said "Who are they?" "Not "they", son, that's Art Tatum"   

The recording of him singing and speaking - priceless.

Thanks again!!

-Mike