Piano Interpretations - Oscar Peterson - Art Tatum - Teddy Wilson - Bud Powell

 

The Second Astaire Blues – Oscar Peterson

Piano Interpretations

By Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson & Bud Powell

Supervised by Norman Granz

Cover Design by David Stone Martin

Norgran Records MGN-1036

1955

From the back cover: Of all instruments common to jazz, the piano in all likelyhood has produced the longest and most durable list of giants. This was not especially true in the beginning of jazz, in the early New Orleans days when the piano was more or less subordinate.

But once you get past the dearth of stars in the Ragtime Era, the modern names begin to fall in line with astonishing if not gratifying profusion.

Here, on "Piano Interpretations," are four of the truly towering figures of the piano – Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Oscar Peterson and Bud Powell – with each trying their hand on a group of standard tunes.

How do they compare, these four piano giants? Each artist is highly distinctive and it's no difficult task differentiating them on the basis of touch alone. To begin with, so light is Tatum's touch that he seems often to flick the keys with the least possible pressure and still create a sound. Powell comes next in the respect, followed by Wilson's crisp sound and the comparatively heavy, full-bodied tones of Oscar Peterson.

By derivation, the three others in the list owe an immeasurable debt to Tatum, with particular emphasis on Peterson. Tatum, in turn, owes at least some of his style to the foundation passed along by Fats Waller. To this, Tatum added his matchless technique, his imagination and a notoriously sly wit.

Less ornamental than Tatum in concept, Teddy Wilson was most strongly influenced by Earl Hines and his playing reflects the Fatha's muscular, clean-cut approach. Boppish Bud Powell fits into the picture with an ofttimes dazzling technique and novel twists on the rhythmic accent.

Taking them individually, Tatum, born in 1910 in Toledo, studied violin first. Then one of his violin teachers – his last, as it turned out – urged him to try the piano. As a pianist, Tatum made his mark early on radio, first in his hometown and then out of New York. Later, heading a trio which included Slam Stewart, bass, and guitarist Tiny Grimes, Tatum was the rage of the 1940s and this fame, among musicians and critics, hasn't diminished appreciably since. Recently writing in Down Beat, another fine jazz solo playing to its highest point of virtuosity to date... Few followers of jazz would dispute that.

Teddy Wilson, born in 1918 in Austin, Texas, had experience with bands led by Jimmy No-one, Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter before joining Benny Goodman in 1935. He remained an integral member of the Goodman crew until 1938 when he played in various groups including New York radio staff units taught at Julliard and at Manhattan School of Music.

Not quite into his 30s, Oscar Peterson was discovered by Norman Granz. At first, Peterson turned down the offer to join Jazz At The Philharmonic, preferring to remain in his hometown of Montreal, Canada, and master his instrument. By 1950, Peterson was ready and with the years he has grown into one of the most exciting pianist around today.

Earl (Bud) Powell, a New Yorker born in 1924, comes from a musical family and started playing professionally in his mid-teens. Powell is best known as one of the stalwarts in the bebop movement of the 1940s and one of the most original pianists in the modern idiom.

From Billboard - December 24, 1955: Four giants of the jazz piano – each of them playing several standards – are on this dis. The package offers the jazz-minded listener a chance to compare styles and techniques of these noted performer, and really stacks up as a smart merchandising idea. The buyer gets both quality and quantity for his money. Tunes are "Body And Soul," "The Man I Love," "Tea For Two," "Hallelujah" etc. Must inventory for jazz dealers.

Body And Soul - Oscar Peterson

Can't We Be Friends - Art Tatum

Everything Happens To Me - Teddy Wilson

The Man I Love - Art Tatum

Tea For Two - Teddy Wilson

Tea For Two - Bub Powell

Willow Weep For Me - Bud Powell

I Cover The Water Front - Oscar Peterson

Stompin' At The Savoy - Art Tatum

Oh, Lady Be Good - Teddy Wilson

Hallelujah - Bud Powell

The Second Astaire Blues - Oscar Peterson