There could be nothing LAME in anybody calling Donald Lambert illiterate, because the poor guy seems to have been dyslexic -- constitutionally incapable of reading, whether the written word or sheet music. He didn't refuse to learn, he couldn't. Dave Brubeck had a similar problem, and Errol Garner never read music either, a good thing for Nat Pierce, who was paid for a while to play things Errol might play, Look at all the people who can read music easily -- I don't say listen to them all!
He was the greatest and there's nothing he would rather do than play the piano, often
10 to 12 hours or more a day. I think he knew where every piano in Newark was. His years of playing at Wallace's High Tavern in Orange are legendary. It's an enormous shame that he wasn't recorded more although there are some private tapes that are invaluable. He had the greatest left hand in the business!
@rgm1927 wow dude! your right on, donald lambert is my favorite pianist aside of james p. who didn't quite have that same feeling as how donald played to the paino. I can't believe other stride players labeled him "illiterate" just cause he refused to learn sheet music... lame.
There could be nothing LAME in anybody calling Donald Lambert illiterate, because the poor guy seems to have been dyslexic -- constitutionally incapable of reading, whether the written word or sheet music. He didn't refuse to learn, he couldn't. Dave Brubeck had a similar problem, and Errol Garner never read music either, a good thing for Nat Pierce, who was paid for a while to play things Errol might play, Look at all the people who can read music easily -- I don't say listen to them all!
muebrigetta 1 hour ago
oh yea, he often played in obscure bars mostly in new jersey on out of tune pianos haha awesome! :)
LudwigVonKoopa64 2 months ago
He was the greatest and there's nothing he would rather do than play the piano, often
10 to 12 hours or more a day. I think he knew where every piano in Newark was. His years of playing at Wallace's High Tavern in Orange are legendary. It's an enormous shame that he wasn't recorded more although there are some private tapes that are invaluable. He had the greatest left hand in the business!
rgm1927 10 months ago
@rgm1927 wow dude! your right on, donald lambert is my favorite pianist aside of james p. who didn't quite have that same feeling as how donald played to the paino. I can't believe other stride players labeled him "illiterate" just cause he refused to learn sheet music... lame.
LudwigVonKoopa64 2 months ago
Yes, The uncrowned king of stride piano for sure!
Chettkat 1 year ago
Der ungekrönte König der Stridepianisten!! :-)))
StrideBatty76 1 year ago