Three Amazing Pianists Talk Music........

A rare conversation with Billy Taylor, George Shearing and Marian McPartland. They discuss composing, the influence of Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonoius Monk and Bebop in general, and Sarah Vaughan. Thanks to BillyTaylorJazz.net.......

The Man Who Brought Me Back: Mr. Erroll Garner

I started playing the piano at 7 years old and actually learned to read and play some classical pieces. I left the piano and then came back to it in my teens. My mother had an eclectic taste in music, from opera to jazz and she had an LP by this guy named Erroll Garner: "Concert By The Sea", recorded live in Carmel, California. By this time I was playing by ear and after hearing this album I tried to assimilate each arrangement on this wonderful LP. So he is the MAN who brought me back to my instrument.







This is Earl's best rendition of "Misty", courtesy of You Tube:

~ MY FOOLISH HEART ~

Here's a haunting one by Bill Evans - can't get enough of him. I actually caught him live at the Hollywood Bowl years ago, along with Dave Brubeck and George Shearing on the same bill.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MARIAN MCPARTLAND

I've been a fan of Marian McPartland for a number of years. In fact, I learned her arrangement of "Emily" from one of her early lps.
Billy Taylor is in charge of this interview. Enjoy.........

- The Keith Jarrett Trio -

I first got turned on to Keith's music when I was working with a guy named Mel in 1976. I bought a couple of lp's: The Koln Concerts" and "Arbor Zena". These made me an instant fan and since then I've bought several others. Here is one of his videos and he's playing "My Funny Valentine".

- Cancun, Mexico -

Just got back from an all-inclusive holiday at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun. It was indeed paradise and the service was definitely 5 star. They had a nice little grand piano on a platform in the middle of the huge lobby/bar, and I talked to the manager to see if I could use it for practice. I played from 4 to 6pm (hora feliz) and was invited back for the next four days. It was especially nice, because I could play whatever I felt like and the response was anywhere from non-existent to unexpectedly great. The piano was in the dividing of the smoking/non smoking zones, so I was getting flash backs to the early 60's.

- Bill Evans: The Days of Wine and Roses -

I could listen to Bill Evans all day long. His smooth improvisations, harmonics, and technical excellence really appeal to me. (click on arrow to see the video)

- SATIN DOLL -

"Satin Doll" was written by Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1899-1974) for and with pianist William Thomas "Billy" Strayhorn (1915-1967) in 1967; the lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer (1909-1976).

I played it on a M-Audio 88 midied into a Mac running GarageBand. Then I dubbed in the bass track. I'm shooting with an old Panasonic palmcorder that has terrible sound, so I have to sync the sound track from GarageBand into Imovie.

- Here's That Rainy Day -

Here's an arrangement that I did using GarageBand of this nice old jazz standard. It's title is a perfect description of today's weather here in Cottonwood.