May I say this. I hardly ever compare jazz pianists with each other. I enjoy their interpretations as individuals, which of course they are indeed. That is the fascination to me.
I agree with you John, on Garner's unique talent. He is the very best Iv'e seen on the DVD 'In Performance' which covered his best playing period upwards, in my view. The DVD is in two parts it's easy to forget, don't miss the second half!
I have seen someone saying Erroll must have had lessons but they were only a few as a young child before he found he could play the sounds he wanted by ear. That is true ear playing IMHO. I have that ability and have had, since I was about 12 when I had about 6 lessons and decided I wanted to play my own way.I could understand what the key sounds were in my subconscious. A bit like singing I think. Only you remember how to make the sounds on the keyboard instead of using your vocal chords. If that makes any sense.
Erroll took this strange ability to the highest level. Though I suspect the blind pianists have to use sound sub-conscious memory recall too, like George Shearing. Though I know there is Braile sheet music.
Peterson's Concert in Montreux 1977 DVD. takes some beating. Not long before he had his very serious 'Stroke' Though he has made a reasonable recovery, all very sad. His mentor was Art Tatum of course.
Alan
