June 15, 1923 – January 2, 1977

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube

Pianist Erroll Louis Garner was born on June 15, 1921, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Garner was best known for his ballads and his swing style.

He was self-taught and began playing the piano at the age of three.

He never learned to read music, always playing by ear. By the age of seven, he was appearing on local radio, playing with a group called the Candy Kids.

His most famous composition, “Misty,” is a jazz standard that is still played today.

After moving to New York in 1944, he made his first recordings and performed for a brief period with bassist Slam Stewart.

Although Erroll could not write music, he often recorded his ideas on tape for later transcription. Among his best-known compositions, “Misty” is now considered a standard.

Erroll Garner would record with Charlie Parker in 1947, and continuing his own career, in 1955, he released the best-selling live jazz album “Concert by the Sea.”

Erroll Garner is seen here performing on an October 22, 1964, episode of the TV series “Jazz 625.”

Personnel:

Erroll Garner, piano
Eddie Calhoun , bass
Kelly Martin, drums

Set List:

1 “Honeysuckle Rose”
2 “No More Shadows”
3 “Mambo Erroll”
4 “Penthouse Serenade”
5 “Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time”
6 “On the Street Where You Live”
7 “I Could Have Danced All Night”
8 “A New Kind Of Love”
9 “The lady is a tramp”
10 “Untitled”

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube