February 10: Erroll Garner
A Daily Journey Through Black History Month
The Fearless Innovator of Jazz 🎹🎶
📖 Story
Erroll Garner, born on June 15, 1921, in Pittsburgh, PA, was a pianist like no other. He developed a distinctive swing and bebop-influenced style that captivated audiences worldwide. Standing barely 5’2″, he played with a telephone book under him to reach the keys. But what he lacked in stature, he more than made up for in sound. Garner’s music wasn’t confined by tradition—he never learned to read sheet music, yet he possessed an unmatched ability to improvise complex harmonies, often playing with a unique delay between his left and right hands. His approach was playful, swinging, and full of joy.
Garner’s attitude toward music was as bold as his playing. He refused to conform, rejecting industry pressure to fit into jazz norms. His 1955 album Concert by the Sea—recorded live without planning—became one of the best-selling jazz albums ever. Unlike many jazz musicians, he fiercely controlled his music rights, leading to legal battles that reshaped artist royalties.
Garner’s thought process was simple: music was freedom. He believed in spontaneity, joy, and personal expression. Whether playing ballads or bebop, his sound radiated warmth and exuberance. Even after his passing in 1977, his influence remains, reminding the world that true artistry knows no barriers.
Erroll Garner was a pianist like no other. Standing barely 5’2″, he played with a telephone book under him to reach the keys. But what he lacked in stature, he more than made up for in sound. Garner’s music wasn’t confined by tradition—he never learned to read sheet music, yet he possessed an unmatched ability to improvise complex harmonies, often playing with a unique delay between his left and right hands. His approach was playful, swinging, and full of joy.
🗣️ Key Quotes
- “I don’t have to read music. If I hear it, I can play it.”
- “Swing is in everything I do. It’s what makes the music dance.”
- “Music is the only thing I’ve ever known that has no rules.”
Cultural Significance
- Garner revolutionized jazz with his unique sense of rhythm and improvisation.
- His album Concert by the Sea broke records, proving that jazz could be commercially successful without compromise.
- He fought for musicians’ rights, winning a lawsuit that allowed artists to reclaim their creative works.
- His composition Misty became a jazz standard, performed by legends like Sarah Vaughan, Ahmad Jamal, Stan Getz, Duke Ellington, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Donny Hathaway, and Ray Bryant. Interestingly, despite his famous association with the song, Johnny Mathis is notably absent from major streaming compilations. His version remains one of the most recognized, yet it is not as easily accessible on digital platforms.
- Despite Garner’s lasting influence, his discography remains limited on major streaming platforms like Apple Music. This absence raises questions about ongoing licensing issues, possibly tied to his historic stance on artists’ rights. His refusal to conform to industry norms not only shaped his career but may also explain why his catalog remains incomplete in the digital era.
- Garner revolutionized jazz with his unique sense of rhythm and improvisation.
- His album Concert by the Sea broke records, proving that jazz could be commercially successful without compromise.
- He fought for musicians’ rights, winning a lawsuit that allowed artists to reclaim their creative works.
- His composition Misty became a jazz standard, performed by legends like Sarah Vaughan, Ahmad Jamal, Stan Getz, Duke Ellington, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Donny Hathaway, and Ray Bryant. Interestingly, despite his famous association with the song, Johnny Mathis is notably absent from major streaming compilations.
- Despite Garner’s lasting influence, his discography remains limited on major streaming platforms like Apple Music. This absence raises questions about ongoing licensing issues, possibly tied to his historic stance on artists’ rights. His refusal to conform to industry norms not only shaped his career but may also explain why his catalog remains incomplete in the digital era.
Fun Fact
Erroll Garner played entirely by ear and never played a piece the same way twice. Even his own compositions would change with each performance!
❓ Trivia Challenge
What unconventional object did Erroll Garner sit on while playing the piano?
(A) A wooden stool • (B) A telephone book • (C) A drum case • (D) A stack of records
📺 Multimedia
🎵 Listen to: Erroll Garner’s legendary Concert by the Sea:
📽️ Watch: A rare performance of Misty:
📚 Learn more about his legal fight for musicians’ rights: The True Story of Erroll Garner, the First Artist to Sue a Major Label and Win.
📽️ Watch: Misty, The Errol Garner Story, (2024)
Read: Erroll Garner’s Innovative Approach to playing the piano.
February 9’s Trivia Answer: (B) Simple
Going with letter (B ). This has to be the most iconic phone book in jazz hahah