Art Tatum-Piano Grand Master

Posted by: Voltaire on 26 August 2006

I recall a wonderful interview with Oscar Peterson when he described playing the piano in front of his father at the start of his career. When Oscar finished his father got up and put an old mono recording of Art Tatum on the gramophone. Oscar Peterson basically said that he was humbled and was never complacent about his craft again!

I just paid £17 for a 4cd boxset Art Tatum-Piano Grand Master and I'm a little disappointed really.

Anyone else an Art fan or know this cd?

Posted on: 26 August 2006 by Huwge

Can't say that I know this, but for me his recorded work is best summed up in the Capitol recordings from the late '40s and early '50s. Not sure what is still available, but I think it reflects the apocryphal Fats Waller story where on noting Tatum enter the club where he, Fats', was playing said "I play piano, but God is in the house."

Huw