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Art Tatum Biography |
Art Tatum (October 13, 1909 - November 4, 1956) was a famous jazz pianist known for his virtuosic playing and creative improvisation.
Arthur Tatum was born in Toledo, Ohio. From birth he suffered from cataracts which left him with only very limited vision in one eye. He played piano from his youth, and played professionally in Ohio before moving to New York City in 1932.
Tatum drew inspiration from his contemporaries James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, and had a great influence on other famous jazz pianists, such as Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Oscar Peterson.
Tatum was widely recognized among his colleagues as the most gifted jazz pianist alive. When he walked into a club where Fats Waller was playing, Waller supposedly said "I play the piano, but God is in the house tonight."
Ogg format sample of "Elegie" — 21 seconds, 145 KB.
Art Tatum died in Los Angeles, California. |
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