Masters of Jazz [2006]

by Art Tatum

Overview

Featuring 29 solo piano performances by Art Tatum recorded between 1932 and 1953, this Storyville Records set shows that Tatum's astounding skills never truly diminished. Put simply, he was the greatest solo pianist in the history of jazz, and it is unimaginable that anyone will ever surpass him. What's here is somewhat of a mixed bag, with several live radio performances ("Where or When," "Chinatown, My Chinatown," "Lulu's Back in Town"), live recordings from the Embers in New York ("Don't Blame Me," "Memories of You"), and a pair of rare recordings from a 1949 set in a Toronto club ("The Continental," Chopin's Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64/2). There are also two versions of Tatum playing his signature "Tiger Rag" here, as well as a breezy version of "Devil in the Moon." Anything Tatum attempted on the piano became transformed, and even standard pieces like "Willow Weep for Me" become exhilarating, careening pieces in Tatum's hands. Sonic qualities vary from track to track here, and this probably isn't the ideal introduction to Tatum, but his singular abilities made each and every time he sat down at the piano worth hearing. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	07/11/2006
Label:	Storyville
UPC:	0717101850327
Rank:	123835

Tracks

1. Tiger Rag
2. Chinatown, My Chinatown
3. Lulu's Back in Town
4. Boots and Saddle
5. After You've Gone
6. Dixieland Band
7. The Shout
8. Tiger Rag
9. Stay as Sweet as You Are
10. Monday in Manhattan
11. I Would Do Anything for You
12. Theme for Piano
13. In the Middle of a Kiss
14. Rosetta
15. I Wish I Were Twins
16. Devil in the Moon
17. Can't We Be Friends
18. Ain't Misbehavin'
19. Sweet Lorraine
20. You Took Advantage of Me
21. Louise
22. Song of the Vagabonds
23. Night and Day
24. The Continental
25. Waltz in C sharp minor, Op. 64/2
26. Willow Weep for Me
27. Memories of You
28. Don't Blame Me
29. Where or When

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Art Tatum   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

James Warburg   Composer
Earl Hines   Composer
Art Tatum   Composer
Alexander Hill   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Brian Hooker   Composer
Henry Brooks   Composer
Turner Layton   Composer
Frank Loesser   Composer
Teddy Powell   Composer
Andy Razaf   Composer
Frederic Chopin   Composer
Bobby Williams   Composer
Eddie DeLange   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Cole Porter   Composer
Claude Hopkins   Composer
Clifford R. Burwell   Composer
Fats Waller   Composer
Rudolf Friml   Composer
Eubie Blake   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Joseph Meyer   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Sam Coslow   Composer
Nick LaRocca   Composer
Richard Himber   Composer
Henry Creamer   Composer
William Jerome   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Con Conrad   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Mack Gordon   Composer
Leonard Whitcup   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Leo Robin   Composer
Harry Revel   Composer
Henri Woode   Composer
Herbert Magidson   Composer
Harry Warren   Composer
Ann Ronell   Composer
Jean Schwartz   Composer
Richard A. Whiting   Composer
Kay Swift   Composer