Katt When I first heard Tatum recordings I felt mostly like Jarrett. There are several pianists I have heard on youtube who can copy and play like Art Tatum verbatim, quite an impressive trait. Not sure if he did any accompanying singers. Art also was his best as a solo pianist rather than in a duo or trio setting. I don't hear Art Tatum as a spontaneous improvisor as Keith Jarrett or Bill Evans, but as a cat with chops and ideas and able to pull them off in real time is what separates him from so many other great players. His harmonic approach on the other hand was not predictable and very unique and complex in his time, still is too. I have several of his best albums, live and studio, and he basically played the same arpeggios and pre-programmed riffs on every tune he played. In a sense, Art was very much a "predictable" player. When asked about Art Tatum though, Keith commented, "too many notes too often." As much as I have the utmost respect and love Art Tatum's work and virtuosity, I tend to agree. When asked about other jazz pianists that Keith J was influenced by, Bill Evans and Bud Powell, John Lewis and Hank Jones, Dave Brubeck, Keith commented about how each pianist made him more aware of what the sound, touch, voice leading, harmony, improvisation and swing. I always dreamed of taking at least one long 3-4 hour lesson from Keith, if I could afford his fee, which I'm sure would be in the ozone somewhere, but he of course is worth any price and if he would allow recording the lesson just for my own use. One thing I have never heard about though is if Keith has ever offered any live master classes or lectures or teaches a few private students. They both sound as modern and fresh from the time they were released decades ago. I have listened to these album/CDs over and over and never tire of their sound and effect. Two of my favorite Keith J albums are his first one as leader, Life Between The Exit Signs and his ECM solo piano album Facing You. Many of us are using digital pianos as well and it isn's going to be the same as playing a fine concert acoustic piano. And of course not all of us have Steinway concert or Yamaha grands like KJ may play on. Some of us will attempt to transcribe his complete solos or fragments of them but when we try to duplicate, getting it to sound the same has a lot to do with articulation. It's interesting what someone here on the thread mentioned about Keith J's articulation that he applies to a pattern of notes. ![]() He has it all, the chops, the training, the classical technique and repertoire, perfect pitch, improvisational virtuosity, many recordings, the ability to mesmerize his audience whether playing solo or with his trio and a lot experience doing so for many years. The passion that Keith Jarrett evokes into his piano music, performances and recordings defines his uniqueness as an exceptional artist. And looking forward I take solace in the fact that I know that as long as Keith Jarrett's music is available for my ears to hear, I will never be without inspiration. Looking back I realize that so much of who I am as an artist was 'revealed' to me through listening to Keith's music. I'm now in my mid 30's and am enjoying a, what I consider to be, moderately successful career as a jazz pianist. His music speaks more directly to me than any other musician I've encountered. ![]() Keith, for me, has been the most consistent 'fuel' for my love of jazz since I first discovered the music. Then there was Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, Phineas Newborn Jr., Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Paul Bley, Geoffrey Keezer, Don Thompson, Steve Kuhn, Geri Allen, Michel Petrucciani, Mulgrew Miller, Martial Solal, Fred Hersh, McCoy Tyner, Enrico Pieranunzi, John Taylor, Wynton Kelly, Art Tatum and finally. Later I heard Chick Corea playing his tune " Got A Match?" in my Grade 12 music class and that was another moment that solidified my love of jazz. That was the first time I had ever heard jazz and I loved what I heard. ![]() I don't even remember what album it was but it had a Latin groove and it was just him and a conga player. I remember arriving one day at my piano teacher's house early (at the time I was intensely studying 'classical') and through her screen door coming out of her stereo I heard music which sounded unlike anything I had ever heard.
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