[78-L] Art Tatum 100th birthday

[Randy Skretvedt]

Well, I for one *love* Art Tatum's playing.  Yes, the runs around the keyboard are showy, but to me they're breathtaking and they're not just displays of dexterity, they're proof of a very sophisticated musical mind at work.  Tatum's performances are intended only as his interpretation of a given piece--and I think he finds all sorts of wonderful things hidden in the nooks and crannies of a song's melody and chord structure.

Teddy Wilson was another one who expressed astonishment and admiration for Tatum's playing, along with Waller.  Teddy said that if you put a piano in a room and had the greatest jazz pianists play, then had Tatum perform, he would make everyone else sound like a beginning student.  And I think what Teddy Wilson is pointing to here is not simply Tatum's astounding dexterity, I think he's talking about the musical thought behind his performances.  I think of Tatum the way I think of Bix--someone who's able to find notes that are entirely unexpected, yet fit the melody line or chord structure perfectly.  

Those who think that Art Tatum is merely showy might try listening more carefully to his recordings, particularly the ballads.