Errol Garner Plays

Stormy Weather

Errol Garner Plays
Galaxy Series Records
Longplay 4815

Disc features a yellow "Rondolette" label with overprinting to obscure some information and an attempt to obscure the original "matrix area" catalog number: AR-15 (which was not obscured on the label).

From the back cover: Erroll Garner, one of the outstanding pianists of the jazz world of today, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1921. His father was also a pianist, and young Erroll started to play piano almost from infancy, although he has never had formal lessons and today, still cannot read music. The youngster was a schoolmate of Dodo Marmarosa and an early associate of Billy Strayhorn.

He started his profession career with local bands in 1937, and then came to New York in 1944 and took jobs along 52nd Street, ranging from The Three Deuces, Tondelayo's, etc. After being featured at nightclubs and on records with the Slam Stewart Trio, he went on his own, working mostly with a bass and drummer. He was a prolific recorder and from 1945 to 1949 made an incredible number of records from various companies, large and small. He achieved wide public recognition with the public through a style which also appealed to persons who were not jazz minded. His principal ingredients were the use of spread chords and melodic variations on popular themes; and, on faster tempi, a delayed action, single note, right hand style accompanied by a guitar like strumming of chords with the left hand.

Garner, despite the fact that he cannot read music, has more than 70 published composition. He is currently working on a ballet suite and a show score. Some of his better known original compositions are "Misty," "Solitaire," "Dreamy" and "Gaslight." The pianist has won the Grand Prix de Disque in France for his own Performance of "Play, Piano, Play," as well as the Esquire, Metronome, Downbeat, Pittsburgh Courier and Norfolk Journal and Guide awards. He was voted pianist of the year by Downbeat for 1956. He has played Europe and England and is a particular favorite in London and Paris.

I Surrender Dear
Moonglow
Confessin'
I Can't Believe That I'm In Love With You
Stompin' At The Savoy
Star Dust
She's Funny That Way
Stormy Weather
Sunny Side Of The Street
Red Sails In the Sunset
This Can't Be Love