Johnny Hartman - It's Easy to Remember

[KempeyB]

Simply excellent

[lannyfalvo]

A quintessential vocalist, too little known.

[OAsifa]

As a huge fan of the music of John Coltrane, I became aware of Johnny Hartman through the 1963 LP recorded with Trane. Today is the first time I ever knew that the ballad, It's Easy To Remember, recorded by Trane on the Ballads LP was first done by Johnny Hartman. Few are aware of the earlier connection between these two artists. A young John Coltrane, a decade prior, was given a job working in the band of ... you guessed it, Johnny Hartman. Trane ignored great criticism to record with Hartman.

[Club88EastOrange]

Wow.... weeee...... LOVE IT>

[SteveFallon1]

That left hand almost pawing at the keys, the strumming sound that is Erroll Garner's signature. With 20+ years of playing on Riverboats, Garner was not a pianist, he was an orchestra. Here, here is accompaniment of Hartman's sentimental vocal sets the tone for a smooth ride down the black current of Ol' Man River.

[valreshel]

@SteveFallon1 Thank u so much for the information, I so love u tube because it like going to school on some of the best music that radio doesnt play. Thank u ,

[elvadot]

thank you for posting!

[limeyard]

How is it possible that I never heard of this wonderful singer in my 71 years. A great voice that should have received more recognition.

[OscarLimaMike]

@limeyard He's great isn't he? Discovery only stops when you stop trying. Cheers!

[ashrafilm]

@limeyard ya johnny hartman was often over looked, but he enver quite got the recognition, yet he has a baritone like nobody else, also unusual, because most singers in male jazz voice are tenors.

[direfranchement]

@ashrafilm

I would ask you to cite at least three mid-century tenors singing jazz. Those with greatest popularity were solid baritones (Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Billy Eckstine, Arthur Prysock, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, etc.). The only popular tenors I can recount at the moment are Tony Bennett and Chet Baker. Please enlighten me.

[sophsdtr]

@limeyard Well, if you haven't already heard or read the NPR interview with him, his career was in the 50s and 60s in the U.S., and those were trying times for any Black musician singing ballads. It's absolutely TRAGIC that once we more or less passed that era and he was "rediscovered" he died of cancer. As with so many "obscure" musicians, artists, et al, they become more famous and appreciated post mortem. At least we can be thankful to have THIS venue.

[lasdrof7]

Oh so underrated should have been a major star a beautiful voice now getting some belated recognition ..thanks Clint Eastwood

[meredith21846]

A voice to match Sinatra and Tony Bennett at their peak. Shamefully underrated.

[shrdlu666]

Johnny Hartman and Joe Williams: the greatest baritone voices.

[paul51]

Beautiful voice!! Very underrated vocalist, in my opinion.  Thanks for the gem.

[8papillons]

Thank you for posting. He should not be forgotten. A favorite song by a fabulous singer.

[chillionaire69]

love his voice and the album he made with john coltrane..