Erroll Garner played and composed by ear. . .


Erroll Garner
Date: 
Fri, 1923-06-15

This date marks the birthday of Erroll Garner in 1923. He was an African-American keyboard artist who played and composed by ear in the tradition of the founding fathers of jazz.

He was born in Pittsburgh, where both parents sang in church. Erroll was the baby of the family and at the age of three was playing piano with both hands. He would listen to Victrola recordings before bed and play the same song the next morning. His piano teachers gave up on teaching him because he played their assignments by ear rather than learn to read notes. At seven years old, Erroll Garner began playing on the radio station KDKA. He went to New York in 1939 as an accompanist, playing at the Melody Bar, Jimmy's Chicken Shack, Tondalayo's, and other clubs.

Garner's fame started with the recording of "Laura" in 1946. He gave recitals at the Cleveland Music Hall and at New York’s Town Hall. He won music awards in many countries and devoted much of his later years to composing scores for movies, Broadway shows, and ballets.

Erroll Garner died in 1977.

Reference:
All Media Guide
1168 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 USA

To Become a Musican

Person / name: 

Garner, Erroll