Erroll Garner: Dreamstreet & One World Concert

The jazz pianist Erroll Garner is not as well remembered as he should be, even among the many giants on that instrument in the genre, but this disc combining two of his recordings from 1959 and 1963 on his own Octave label, and re-released on the Telarc label in 1995, reflects his brilliance in both the studio and in concert.

The Pittsburgh native was something of a child prodigy, beginning his playing at age three and performing professionally just four years later, while playing by ear and never learning to read music.  Before his teens, he was playing on boats plying the Allegheny River, but was not as well known in the local jazz scene as his older brother Linton.

Though he moved to New York City as the bebop scene was developing and he played with Charlie Parker among others, he was most often compared to the likes of Art Tatum, Earl Hines and Fats Waller.  From 1950 until his death more than a quarter century later, he was managed by Martha Glaser, who contributed notes to this set and wrote that, as the conversion from the original master tapes to the digital format was made, she and others "found the material fresh, exhilarating and totally contemporaneous.

Glaser also notes the difference between the studio recording, Dreamstreet, recorded in 1959 and released two years later, and the live One World Concert, presented during the world's fair in Seattle in 1963.  Donald Elfman, in his contribution to the liners, observed that Garner's work "has the power to make us smile one minute and then gape in amazement the next."  

It is also noted that, with his own label, Garner had complete freedom in the studio and "reveled in this atmosphere" and his rhythm section of bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Kelly Martin keep things as straight as could be, supporting the master with little other than the most basic of accompaniment.  Then again, that's what listeners would expect from someone as phenomenal as Garner, but the Seattle show really stands out for the energy inspired by a wowed audience—Garner's signature composition, "Misty," is always a highlight, but the many covers, including "Sweet and Lovely," "Mack The Knife," and "Lover Come Back" are all thrilling.

This double recording is an excellent showcase of one of the finest pianists America has ever produced and this remastered disc provides clear, crisp sound to enjoy Erroll Garner demonstrating his abounding and amazing talent.