I suggest that you accompany the reading of this article with music by Erroll Garner. If you want, you can start with this short list of fantastic songs to listen to at your leisure or dance to them. In case you want to practice them later, they are arranged by tempo.
An unmistakable style
I would like to begin by highlighting Erroll Garner's unique piano style, distinguishable by several characteristics:
- Innovative intros: Long and elaborate, building anticipation before the main melody.
- Vibrant rhythms and swing: Their unexpected rhythmic accents added energy and dynamism.
- Rich melody and harmony: Despite not reading music, he composed memorable melodies with sophisticated harmonies.
- Independence of hands: He played the melody with the right hand while maintaining an independent and complex rhythm with the left, creating an orchestral effect.
- Lyrical expressiveness: His interpretations were full of syncopations, staccatos, dissonances and subtle dynamic changes full of emotion.
- Musical humour: He introduced unexpected phrases and musical puns that made the audience smile.
- Masterly improvisation: He was a virtuoso capable of reinventing well-known pieces with astonishing originality.
Erroll Garner in 1947 (The Library of Congress, via Wikimedia Commons)
Life and musical evolution
Erroll Garner was born on 15 June 1921 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a self-taught jazz pianistknown for his ability to playing by ear, as he never learnt to read music. At the age of three, he already started playing the piano, inspired by his sister Martha and other family members. During his childhood, he appeared on the local radio station KDKA with a band called Candy Kids.
During the Swing Era, Garner, while still young, began playing in Pittsburgh with saxophonist Leroy Brown. He performed with several local bands, appeared regularly on KDKA radio with ‘Candy Kids’ and played on boats on the Allegheny River.
In 1944 Garner moved to New York and had a pivotal few years in establishing himself as one of the world's most renowned and beloved jazz pianists. Between 1947 and 1955, he collaborated with such renowned artists as Charlie Parker, with whom he recorded the well-known session ‘Cool blues’, or Slam Stewart, he recorded several important sessions in Paris, and signed with Mercury Records.
His most successful moment
In 1955, Garner achieved great recognition with his live album ‘Concert by the Sea' which sold more than 1 million copies until 1958. This album consolidated his position as one of the most popular jazz pianists. It also contains his best known composition 'Misty'and became a jazz standard and was used in the film ‘Play Misty for Me’ in 1971.
During the 50s and 60s, he worked with several well-known record labels and with his own label. Octave. He toured extensively in the USA and abroad, recording an extensive repertoire.
Most of his recordings were in trio format: piano, drums and double bass.
Erroll Garner live in '63 & '64
The last years and his legacy
In the 70s,Garner suffered from health problems and retired in 1975. He died on 2 January 1977 in Los Angeles of cardiac arrest related to pulmonary emphysema. His remains rest in the Pittsburgh Homewood Cemetery.
Along with other pianists of the Swing Era and later decades like Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Jess Stacy, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Mary Lou Williams y Jay McShann, Erroll Garner had and still has a significant influence on Jazz and Lindy Hop dancers. His intimate yet vibrant and rhythmic style offers a different way of dancing to what other musicians have to offer, combining syncopations, staccatos and subtle dynamic changes that inspire rhythmic movements, contrasts and emotion. Garner's music is a fertile ground where dancers can develop their creativity and connection to the music.
His influence still lives on in the world of jazz, and his music continues to captivate lovers of the genre. His extraordinary style and talent continue to inspire generations of musicians.
Further information:
- Erroll Garner's biography at Britannica.com: Erroll Garner – American Musician
- The Erroll Garner on Wikipedia
- An article about his ’Hollywood Star' in Los Angeles
- «The True Story of Erroll Garner, the First Artist to Sue a Major Label and Win» on Variety
- My playlist of Erroll Garner on Spotify
