HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Art Tatum

Birth of Swing Jazz: Art Tatum

Art Tatum

Photo: William P. Gottlieb

Born on 13 October 1909 in Toledo, Ohio, pianist Art Tatum, who wasn't completely blind (could read and write), played a lot of classical music in addition to jazz, and was highly regarded by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Due much to virtuosos like Fats Waller, Earl Hines and Art Tatum the piano bar (lounge music) became a favorite American late-night haunt, a far better place to take a date than a noisy disco where the loud beat intimidates talking at all much less intimate conversation.

Tatum was learning to play piano at age three. His piano teacher, like many, taught classical, and discouraged Tatum's inevitable creativity, improvisation and jazz rhythm. His first professional position was for WSPD radio in Toledo in 1927. The nightclub would be Tatum's favored venue and, at nineteen he began to create a reputation for himself among some of the bigger names in jazz at the Waiters and Bellmen Club on Indiana Avenue where, when in Toledo, visited such as Andy Kirk, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Thus Adelaide Hall stole him away for her world tour in 1931. Tatum is thought to have made his first recordings in 1932 with Hall on August 5 for Brunswick: 'Strange As It Seems' and ''I'll Never Be the Same'. Those were followed on August 10 by 'You Gave Me Everything But Love' and 'This Time It's Love'. Tatum grooved his first name solo for Brunswick on 5 August 1932: 'Tiger Rag'.

'Strange As It Seems' Adelaide Hall (vocal)

Art Tatum's 1st recording to issue 5 Aug 1932 in NYC

Matrix 12148-A issued on Brunswick 6376

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / alto sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Pianoi: Art Tatum / Francis J. Carter Vibes: Larry Gomar

Guitar: Dick McDonough Bass: Artie Bernatein

Composition: Fats Waller / Andy Razaf

'I'll Never Be the Same' Adelaide Hall (vocal)

5 Aug 1932 in NYC

Probably matrix 12148-A issued on Brunswick 6362

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / alto sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Pianoi: Art Tatum / Francis J. Carter Vibes: Larry Gomar

Guitar: Dick McDonough Bass: Artie Bernatein

Composition: Gus Kahn / Matty Malneck

'Tiger Rag' Art Tatum

Art Tatum's 1st name solo recording 5 Aug 1932 in NYC

Matrix TO 1192 issued on Aircheck 21

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / alto sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Piano: Art Tatum / Francis J. Carter Vibes: Larry Gomar

Guitar: Dick McDonough Bass: Artie Bernatein

Composition: Nick LaRocca of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band

In 1933 Tatum entered a stride piano cutting contest at a place called Morgan's in New York City with James Johnson, Willie the Lion Smith and Waller. His win against such intimidating competition was well trumpeted, and Tatum would soon be leaving the old stride masters behind as he joined such as Earl Hines and Teddy Wilson as a developer of swing and, though he wasn't much a composer of original material, nor pursued bebop, a herald of modern jazz. Tatum preferred to play solo rather than with groups, his ornate style demanding such, though he did lead smaller ensembles such as his Swingsters in 1937: 'Body and Soul', 'With Plenty of Money and You, 'What Will I Tell My Heart?' and 'I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm'. In 1938 he toured to England.

'Sophisticated Lady' Art Tatum

21 March 1933 in NYC Brunswick 6553

Trumpet: Bunny Berigan Clarinet / alto sax: Jimmy Dorsey

Piano: Art Tatum / Francis J. Carter Vibes: Larry Gomar

Guitar: Dick McDonough Bass: Artie Bernatein

Music: Duke Ellington Lyrics: Irving Mills 1933

'Body and Soul' Art Tatum (celesta / piano) and His Swingsters

26 Feb 1937 in Los Angeles Matrix DLA724A Decca 1197

Trumpet: Lloyd Reese Clarinet: Marshal Royal

Guitar: Bill Perkins Bass: Joe Bailey Drums: Oscar Lee Bradley

Music: Johnny Green Lyrics: Edward Heyman / Robert Sour / Frank Eyton 1930

'Humoresque' / 'Georgia on my Mind' Art Tatum (piano)

NBC radio broadcast on 28 July 1941 in NYC

Clarinet: Alfred Evans

Guitar: Frank Gurasso Bass: Harry Patent Drums: Harry Stiffman

'Humoresque': Dvořák 1894

'Georgia on My Mind': Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell 1930

'Esquire Bounce' Art Tatum (piano) w the Leonard Feather All Stars

1 of 3 takes on 4 Dec 1943 in NYC

Issued on Commodore 547, Commodore XFL14936 or Mosaic MR23-123

Trumpet: Cootie Williams Clarinet: Edmond Hall Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins

Guitar: Al Casey Bass: Oscar Pettiford Drums: Sidney Catlett

Composition: Leonard Feather

'My Ideal' Art Tatum (piano) w the Leonard Feather All Stars

4 Dec 1943 in NYC Matrix A4693-1 Commodore 548

Trumpet: Cootie Williams Clarinet: Edmond Hall Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins

Guitar: Al Casey Bass: Oscar Pettiford Drums: Sidney Catlett

Composition: Leo Robin / Newell Chase / Richard Whiting 1930

'Esquire Blues' Art Tatum (piano) w the Leonard Feather All Stars

4 Dec 1943 in NYC Matrix A4694-2 Commodore 547

Trumpet: Cootie Williams Clarinet: Edmond Hall Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins

Guitar: Al Casey Bass: Oscar Pettiford Drums: Sidney Catlett

Composition: Leonard Feather

'Moonglow' Art Tatum (piano) Trio

5 Jan 1944 in NYC Matrix N1364-1 Brunswick 80114

Guitar: Tiny Grimes Bass: Slam Stewart

Music: Will Hudson / Irving Mills Lyrics: Eddie DeLange 1933

Among the highlights of Tatum's career were recorded performances on January 18, 1944, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City with Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, Jack Teagarden, Barney Bigard, Coleman Hawkins, Lionel Hampton, Al Casey, Oscar Pettiford, Sidney Catlett, Billie Holiday, Mildred Bailey and Red Norvo:

'Sweet Lorraine' Art Tatum (piano)

18 Jan 1944 in NYC Matrix VP1237 FDC 1010

Bass: Oscar Pettiford Drums: Sidney Catlett

Music: Cliff Burwell Lyrics: Mitchell Parish 1928

'Art's Blues' Art Tatum (piano)

From the film 'The Fabulous Dorseys' directed by Alfred E. Green Released 21 Feb 1947

Trumpet: Ziggy Elman Trombone: Tommy Dorsey Clarinet: Jimmy Dorsey

Sax: Charlie Barnet Guitar: George Van Eps Drums: Ray Bauduc

Composition: Tatum

IMDb Wikipedia

'Tenderly' Art Tatum (piano)

29 Sep 1949 Pausa PR9017 / Capitol CDP7-92867-2 / Classics (F)1411

Music: Walter Gross Lyrics: Jack Lawrence 1946

Tatum spent his last couple years performing in Detroit at a club called Baker's Keyboard Lounge until April 1956. He also toured the States, recording in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Washington DC during his last year. His final recordings are thought to have been a radio broadcast from the Red Hill Inn in Pennsauken, New Jersey, on October 14, 1956: 'Flying Home', 'Would You Like to Take a Walk?' and 'You Go to My Head' (RI Disc). In Tatum's Trio were Everett Barksdale on guitar and Bill Pemberton on bass.