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Happy 100th Birthday Papa Lennie!!

This week marks the 100th year of Lennie Tristano's birth. Growing up in his living room was the blessing of a lifetime) Happy Birthday Lennie, we remember you and love you!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7q1kLlOey4

I never realised until this moment that Tristano and Nat King Cole were born just 2 days apart!

and from the same mother!

Hi Dave

Ha ha :-)

I found out the other day whilst reading a biography of Mike Garson (most famous as David Bowie's Piano player, but a virtuoso Jazz and Classical player) that he was also a pupil of Lennie Tristano's. Did you ever meet, or know Mike?

I discovered him through his famous Piano solo on the David Bowie song "Aladdin Sane", which if you haven't heard it, is pretty amazing.

Cheers

Simon

Wow, thanks for that, never knew it. Wanna know who else studied with Lennie? Billy Joel!

DF

That's a good one.... :-)

I can't really tell from your, as usual, witty response whether you actually know who Mike Garson is or not.
He did study with Lennie Tristano, and is a phenomenal Pianist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWRJx4Il7LU

As you say Happy Birthday Lennie, and belated greetings to Nat King Cole (a very underrated player in my view).

Cheers

Simon

Billy Joel DID study with Lennie)

I will never forget my interview with Lennie to study. The perfect "Yoda". Surly, blind, in a bathrobe, usual vices in attendance... the perfect sensei.... till I met Connie Crothers. Lennie was booked up so he suggested I study with his student and protege (I think I can say that), Connie. Well from the sublime to the ridiculously beautiful! A gorgeous Californian with a Marilyn Monroe voice. And the most affirming person I have ever met. She taught Lennie's approach. When Lennie's schedule opened up I was in love. So, no Lennie for me. But I played at his house for one of those scenes he had and pissed him off by mistakenly thinking I could help myself to a cold drink ((!!!). It seems people often took advantage of him by raiding his fridge. My luck! Ticking off the master!

Connie stepped off the planet over a year ago. I hope she and Lennie are laughing and making music. Lennie had this dream, I believe. Jesus came to him and said "Pray" Than Bird came along and said, "Play!!". Such good fortune to find them both. Missed!

great story) The first time I talked to Lennie I was 15, calling him from the dorm of Berklee. He answered the phone, I said "Hello Mr Tristano", he said "call me Lennie"..I said "I NEED HELP", he said
"What kind of help do you need?" I said "pianistic help", he said, "you come over to my house when you get back from Berklee, I'll tell you how I'm gonna rip you off and you can tell me to go [censored] myself".

hahaha he was the funniest hippest guy you'd ever want to meet)

That's amazing Dave, I really thought you were joking.
But looking on-line confirms it.

My apologies for ever doubting you :-)

Cheers

Simon

I'd be really curious to hear what Billy had to say about it!

How great are the wonders of genetics!

I remember his master class in Israel in the 80s. He quite calmly included in improvisation a fragment from Beethoven's sonata (if I'am not mistaken). Interesting is his story about pianists' audition for David Bowie - he was one of 300 pianists. He was helped by the advantage of owning both jazz and pop, as well as classical music, a strong technique and fluent sight-reading.

I once tuned for someone who had the same mother as Nat King Cole. It was not Richie, but I did tune for a show with him, also. Freddy has a very similar voice to his brother.

Hi Dave

"I took some lessons from Lennie Tristano.... I studied and learned a lot about substitution. I learned a lot about improvisation. I learned a lot about syncronicity and a lot of good stuff. The little bit I paid attention, I got a lot out of"

From a book on Billy Joel. There may well be more but its all that was available in the digital preview.

Cheers

Simon

Hi Nahum

I think its a topic for another thread, as I don't want to hijack Dave's page on Lennie. But yes I've heard him talk about that audition. Mick Ronson (David Bowie's guitarist) put the chords for the song "Changes" in front of Mike Garson and said play that. He improvised something on the spot and within 10 seconds Mick Ronson said you're hired!

He was playing in the New York avant garde Jazz scene in the early 70s before his association with David Bowie started. Happily I'm a David Bowie fan and a Jazz fan, so he's a hero of mine.

Cheers

Simon

Happy Birthday Lennie!

"The New Tristano" is a 20th century masterpiece.