There have been very few pianists in jazz that can accurately be described as “one of a kind”. Erroll Garner, who would have turned 100 on June 15, 2021, is one that deserves that title. Influenced by no one and unable to read music, he developed a style of playing that was popular with the public and inspiring to the cognoscenti.
Octave Music has teamed up with Mack Avenue Records and Erroll Garner’s estate to deliver a few ways appreciate his genius, depending on your budget. The first is a limited edition of 300 box deluxe set that includes 3 vinyl albums of Garner’s unreleased 1959 Symphony Hall concert in Boston along with cd versions of his 12 albums from various labels. There is a ton of extra material in this set, with previously unreleased material and a handful of 45 rpm discs.
There’s also a more concise “Liberation In Swing” , and for the more budget oriented, you can get the “Symphony Hall Concert” in vinyl or cd format.
As far as the music from the Symphony Hall Concert, the January 17, 1959 show has Garner with bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Kelly Martin in exciting form. Almost every tune has the pianist delivering rococo solo intros with his large fist and dynamics, leading into deft and sophisticated swing propelled by Martin’s brushes on pieces like “A Foggy Day” and “But Not For Me”. The ivories chime on “Dreamy” and produce elegant droplets on “Moment’s Delight”. The recording is first rate, as you can hear Garner grunt out “Lover” and swoon on “Misty” before closing things out with the blues on “Erroll’s Theme”. Tasty and timeless, no matter how much money you want to spend.