Art Tatum plays Cherokee (1954)

Art Tatum, the greatest
(Pablo recordings)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Art
• Tatum
• plays
• Cherokee
• piano
• jazz

[APES2L8]

Anylize if you must. I just listen.

[mdhbigdog]

I don't understand why so many comments rail against Justin Bieber. I've never heard the little mop head, but when I was 10 years old I was crazy about the Monkees and the Bee Gees. Fast forward five years and at 15 I was into Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, James Moody, Charles Mingus. People change and grow. I like what I like and I'm grateful we have great music.

[ivan89705]

brookly manner

[pianOracle]

I was sold @ that Fm9b5 chord right at 0:18

[JazzRastaf]

@TheAngeltoDemon

Horowitz did with Tea for Two. Played it privately to Tatum who then asked him if he wanted to hear his version and created a new one...

[JutanatuJ]

@mitchellglaser i'm justin

[TheJazzSwings]

@divvy1400yam600 okay.

[divvy1400yam600]

@TheJazzSwings By describing the song cherokee as an arpeggio you indicate you havent got the faintest idea what you are talking about.

You deserve to be lectured.

Sit down, pay attention. maybe you will learn a little bit.

Not likely but there you are.

When ignorance is bliss it's folly to be wise.

[TheJazzSwings]

@TheJazzSwings The man had a style, a technically rigorous style that utilized the concepts of jazz. You can't discredit that.

[TheJazzSwings]

@divvy1400yam600 Don't lecture me on the definition of an arpeggio when that is not what I was arguing. What I am arguing is that he is improvising and he is swinging, and he was doing both. And for goodness sake, it's cherokee! The entire tune is an arpeggio. And hows this, "...the young Oscar was winning piano competitions. But his father never let it go to his head. He played his son a recording of Tatum's renowned Tiger Rag that caused him to quit piano for two months."

[Santosificationable]

@divvy1400yam600 Many people criticize Tatum for this. But personally, if it was all just speed and showmanship, I don't think he'd gain so much respect as to be called "God" by one of the most famous stride pianists of his time. For example listen to his recording of "Tea for Two" by credman. In 2:45 he changes keys at rapidity. Listen to his recording of "Tiger Rag". Lots of ideas there, techniques flowing here and there in perfect coordination with each other. Now THAT'S improvisation.

[divvy1400yam600]

@TheJazzSwings An arpeggio is a stream of notes based around one chord and moving in one direction on the instrument being played..

Tatum uses them in extremis

Due to his skill he introduces lots of grace notes to embroider the arpeggio..

but he still plays arpegios. Most of the time anyway.

A jazz improvisation is something more than that, tho' arpeggios are used.

The phrasing of the melody will be altered.

Sub melodies will be introduced

no more space !

A jazz improvisatio