Art Tatum (1909-1956) is one of the most important jazz pianists of all time, a role model even for Generation Y players like Christian Sands, born in 1989. Along with Earl Hines, Tatum was the style-setting pianist and a link between the early pioneers of jazz, such as Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller and James P. Johnson, and the bebop greats of modern jazz, all of whom were inspired by Tatum's modern sense of harmony. Charlie Parker is said to have worked as a dish washer in a club for weeks only to get closer to and more familiar with Tatum's playing. Already at the age of 20, Tatum, who had perfect pitch and was severely visually impaired, had gained tremendous popularity in his home state Ohio thanks to regular club appearances and his own radio show. In 1932 he came to New York for the first time as the accompanist of singer Adelaide Hall, where he immediately proved his abilities by coming out as the winner in a competition with his predecessors Waller and Johnson. In the jazz capitals New York, Chicago and Los Angeles he was booked for months with his solo performances. His only ever trip abroad took him to England in 1938. He led a successful trio with bassist Slam Stewart and guitarist Tiny Grimes from 1943-45, which became a model for Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole and many others. Tatum arguably made his best recordings in 1953 in conjunction with jazz impresario Norman Granz, all of which are presented here in the interplay between group and solo recordings. Tatum's intense lifestyle and alcoholism never affected his performances, but ultimately led to his early death from kidney failure in 1956 at the age of 47.
