ERROLL GARNER - SO YOU WANNA LEARN TO PLAY THE PIANO HUN?

[@noeljewkes1483]

Loved his music when I was 10 ...now I’m 80 and still do!!!

[@joevald3]

I agree.

[@kenreed3145]

About the same for me. I'd never paid much attention to jazz until my dad received "Concert by the Sea" from his record club. I wore that album out. It was happy music. Loved Erroll ever since.

[@dcwexler]

[@robertoquijada6736]

Very Good

[@jean-jacquesvivien1420]

me too when I m 5 and now 75

[@thedrummersclub3667]

This has got to be the most Humble Bassist on our planet. What an amazing articulate interview. Amazing

[@michaelalazar2680]

Youre right i lke Ernest. He gave a great picture of Erroll gardner.

[@gm-pr8mp]

i love it every time when he changes keys and looks at the crowd like "watch my crew try to figure out this one"

[@hellyermike]

When practicing drums to a Garner record in my bedroom, my Dad would say, "try to stay with him but don't get in his way."

[@pamtebelman2321]

Perfect!

[@WildBillCox13]

Your dad was wise in the ways of music. /respect.

[@brushdrummer]

@@pamtebelman2321 I think the tune you're asking about is Penthouse Serenade. :)

[@hellyermike]

@@WildBillCox13 Yeah...it's funny how some things just 'stick.'

[@pamtebelman2321]

@@brushdrummer Thanks, Mike!

[@MrFree-vj8qj]

this is the level where you become more fluent in music language than your primary human language

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

@Oksana Sukhomlyn primary. e.g. speaking. unless you sign i guess. or consider touch the primary means of human communication. yes, "human" was superfluous , but really, it aint that hard to understand. ????????? izzzit? I hope I have clarified it for youse.

[@ubermo1182]

Great comment.

[@STLYRZA]

The holy grail of improvisation⛲️

[@larrylynn2015]

Thank you, Earnest McCarty. A beautiful tribute.

[@sareden343]

Erroll ... our Pittsburgh legend ... great to experience your gift of genius ... he is entombed 100 feet from our Family plot ... i visit him often

[@virghammer1]

Ohhhh .. that's SO BEAUTIFUL, Sar! I was born in Pittsburgh (we moved, when I was 2) - My Dad was studying Economics @ Carnegie Tech. MAGICAL town - the 3 rivers! and also August Wilson, the great Black playwright, from there !! and immortalized it so ... and Billy Eckstine ... etc. etc. YAY, PITTSBURGH! - I'm wistfully jealous that he's there, by your family's plot ... with the trees ... and grass .. Wow.

[@martinkeane8036]

You forgot Ahmed Jamal, another genius from Pittsburgh

[@silva777]

No, this man is NOT forgotten, thankfully.

[@phorton968]

A genius, self-taught pianist who never learned to read music. Absolutely brilliant! Magnificent compositions.

[@teresadepizzol9076]

Never saw anybody more genuinely happy and surprised playing an instrument.Impressive.

[@enriquesanchez2001]

LEGENDARY, Ernest McCarty, bassist makes this excursion so FASCINATING ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@jimthompson606]

What I loved about Erroll Garner were those gorgeous introductions. They were like little mini suites in themselves with beautiful original melodies and harmonies. And then he would go into that nice regular groove of his.

[@cremebrulee6667]

I think Errol has some of the most feel of any pianist. The way he tastefully plays offbeat is something that I have never seen to the same degree and it really shows true musical intuition.

[@heartvalais]

Yeah most of the greatest pianists favored technical perfection and speed over feel. There is no right way to play, but for those who want to hear the piano sing and cry I’d listen to Errol.

[@RXmusic4YOU]

My mother being a pianist would have every album recording she could get her hands on. I thought she was married to this cat. Thanks mom.

[@bobbaskerville5829]

Would see him at the London House- Chicago’55-56- Penthouse Serenade could bring you to tears- him humming and smiling- an absolute genius- one of God’s best inventions. Hasn’t done it again.

[@virghammer1]

Oh, you fortunate man. ! Yes …. No one like him - at ALL.. Masterful angel on Earth !

[@nancyeckroad-haney7309]

I, too, spent many nights at the London House Chicago between '58- 65. He played LH 4 times a year, each gig a two-week residence, and we became friendly. I think what his playing conveyed most was his absolute JOY and his love of playing music which he was able to completely give to an audience. Everyone always had a smile on their face, thanks to Erroll. BTW, there is a bio- film on Erroll, I think named, "They Can't Hear You Read " or something similar.

[@leoinsf]

Knew that Erroll was a giant, but this shows how much of a genius-giant he was. What an under-rated master he was!

[@markcianciolo9384]

Astonishing. The best piece I've ever seen on this genius. It should be required viewing for all jazz musicians and jazz lovers. Just to watch him play lifts you up to float on a cloud of happiness and joy. And restful contentment.

[@helenwood9225]

This is a fascinating interview. Ernest McCarty is so eloquent.

[@fyd1872]

And dom

[@Tabu11211]

seriously!

[@ensorfeliciano9482]

11

[@pamtebelman2321]

Agreed! Ernest is very eloquent!

[@ruthp1453]

Agreed! What an interview. We get to see what it was like working with musical genius. What a privilege. Thank you Ernest!

[@charleswinokoor6023]

That playful, surreal expression on his face as he’s playing an intro, and looking around as if he doesn’t know what’s coming next, reminds me a little of Harpo Marx, which, by the way, is a compliment. Fantastic concert footage.

[@Wanamaker1946]

I get it. He does indeed. Harpo Marx was a happy equal to Mr. Garner.

[@WarrenSt.James_Guitarist]

Can't believe how epic that intro was dude left the bass player standing there like you didn't know what was getting ready to happen and he was just smashing it

[@cephoras]

My Dad was a huge EG fan and I grew up listening to him. Now I am a fan.

[@jamesperry2322]

Garner was an organic force of nature...which could never be categorized or defined by critics.

[@daveduffy2823]

I see a young kid having lots of fun when Erroll plays the piano. There is nothing but the joy of fun on his face.

[@davidgeary490]

When I was a kid, heard Errol Garner's famous album Concert By The Sea on a local jazz station - that turned me into a jazz fan - still listen to it regularly!

[@charleschidsey2831]

Playing those elaborate intros while the bassist listened befuddled; I swear he had a playful mischievous look on his face that seemed to say, “catch this if you can”.

[@benmilstein5654]

he was known for not letting the band know what tune was coming up next and playing an intro as far removed as possible from the song he was going into...

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

It amazes me how things like the IQ test or dumb azz standardize test never measures the genius of African America Musicians. Whether it's the blues, Jazz, Gospel, Funk,, R & B.. Pure and utter geniuses. Something that can't be measured and quantified or qualified. It's a true gift from God. Plain and simple.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

@@saucypup3793 Oh yes I can. .You explain away can't this phenomenon. Let's take gospel musicians. Most can't read a lick of music. Most, don't know the theory..However, they will display a level of virtuosity by combining ( Blues, Classical, R &B, Rock, and Jazz) all in the same song. And, this coming out of a 10 year old. what YOu can find this level of musicianship at the smallest storefront to the mega churches. I know what of what I speak of. It's not generalizations.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

@@saucypup3793 Disagree.. You have no idea..

[@virghammer1]

@Evan Hodge Very well put, Evan. IT'S SO MUCH WORK, yes! Erroll started when he was a tiny tot ... his sister played, too ... it worked itself into his very DNA.

[@swingmanic]

I can see why Dudley Moore had a fascination in Garner's playing and he mimicked him admirably, but there was only one Erroll Garner!!..Pure genius!!!!

[@harrymadray6362]

Thank you, Sir, for sharing this Genius of a Pianist in Mr. Rrroll Garner!! In my 82 years I have listened to many great Pianists but Mr. Garner was EXCEPTIONAL!

[@velvetpaws999]

Ernest is a cool dude and a deep, beautiful soul! Thanks for this interview!

[@Piratebreadstick]

What a lovely man Ernest is. Deep thinker. Best interview ever.

[@ghernandez6457]

Saving this video, hopefully it never gets deleted.

[@ronj9448]

Download it

[@johnmoorely7275]

Erroll was my gateway to a lifelong love of jazz. He is still my favourite pianist. Thank you KZbin for allowing me to see so much of him again.

[@monsieurlewop]

Fascinating, utterly fascinating. And left me wanting to know about Ernest McCarty, too.

[@aryehbenyehudah9965]

Ernest is a genius bassist💯

[@jean-lucbersou758]

ERROLL GARNER is one of these unbelievable self taught MUSICIANS who are NATURAL GENIUSES as DJANGO REINHARDT , WES MONTGOMERY ....i have no explanation and I notice all were great composers and inspired creators besides phenomenal performers .

[@hulado]

ive always liked Erroll because he was the only place you heard his sound. and what a sound. he reminds me of a Sufi master. and Earnest McCarty was a joy to listen to also.

[@yorkshirepianist8407]

I don't think I've heard anyone make the instrument SING like Erroll does. To watch him playing is even better.

[@eastonpeter1242]

Mr. McCarty, thank you, it was a wonderful experience just listening to you.

[@pamtebelman2321]

Eloquent and funny interviewee, Ernest. Thank you for this!

[@TwelfthRoot2]

What an incredible pianist! I can tell Errol liked Rachmaninoff. You can hear the harmonies in some of the earlier clips.

[@PeterLunowPL]

yes ,yes I always have been and still am a total Garner fan ,but this wonderful bass player completely stole my heart with his modesty and humor, Absolutely delightful !!!

[@madbebopper]

I cannot put into words why Erroll Garner was the ultimately greatest GENIUS of the piano ever (for me, in my humble heart) and he brings me to tears of joy and I'm laughing and crying at the same time. That is what music is supposed to do is move us emotionally and he does that like no one else. He is the swingingest, he is the most adventurous harmonically to the point of free-jazz meets Debussy or Stravinsky. Some of his free-association introductions are masterpieces themselves of modern harmonic mastery and rhythmic complexity of a master at rhythmic figures that dance and groove like hell - Erroll was THE funk-master of all time. His block chords are beyond heavenly as when he'd get to the double-time feel on the final bridge of "Misty" which if that was all he ever composed he would be one of the world's finest composers in my estimation. Long live Erroll Garner who was adored and admired by Thelonious Monk, Phineas Newborn, Ahmad Jamal, and many many many others.

[@gumvro9985]

The craziest thing to me is what he accomplished with out knowing any music theory what a true inspiration

[@improcat1]

@@gumvro9985 Music is not about theory, it's about feeling and he had it in abundance.

[@emiliogimenezzapiola6302]

Erroll Garner is pure joy. A force of Nature. A born Genius. Life.

[@Alanoffer]

At least on you tube we and future generations can see this giant of the piano

[@musemusic6227]

So lovely! Thank you Ernest McCarty for sharing the life and times of Erroll Garner. He captured a lilting sound that was so distinctive. I feel like he's painting tableaux of landscapes in every phrase, a three dimensional tapestry of sound unlike any other pianist. Bravo!

[@gerardguitarist]

Oscar Peterson gives some wonderful insight into the genius of Erroll Garner. The word Savant comes to mind. Not sure if it's 100% applicable for his life however he was obviously heavily gifted from the Lord.

[@Waycool247]

Outrageous, brilliant and an incredible musician. I saw him live and couldn't believe it. He would take you away with emotional articulation beyond practical human physical being!

[@dennisleise5393]

I got to the part about where at the audition he did an unannounced modulation on the bridge of Misty, where the bass player called it "Interesting" and I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. Absolutely hilarious. ....and people thought Monk was eccentric.

[@ubermo1182]

First, a big thank you to Omar Shabazz for finding and airing this!! The commentary goes hand-in-glove with the video of the trio in front of a live audience, and is nicely edited, but I was mesmerized by Erroll's performance. I have around two dozen or more of Errol's many, many albums and I love them all. However, the stuff in this video is tour de force! Erroll, tastefully, tears apart and rewrites the music on the fly, while maintaining the framework and integrity of the original piece. Familiar tunes and standards are vehicles to carry the listeners fairly far afield with his intricate improvisations. Then everyone is brought back and set down gently at the end of each number. His music making here is inspired, complex, logical and listenable, all at the same time (his usual M.O.), but this whole set is like all that taken to yet another level. I want to say more but this already sounds like gushing.....

[@patmare1]

He didn't just swing. He was orchestral in his playing!

[@cooltrades7469]

He played like a big band , only did not bother to write the arrangements.If anyone woudl transcribe his playing for a band..it's all the information there.Just transpose.See the firts tune from here.

[@jdivita]

14:52 (looks at the audience) "Watch me mess with this cat..." Killing me lol

[@jameschristopher8824]

Today I will extol the Lord; praise shall continually be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; when I am afflicted I will hear the voice of my God and rejoice. Come, glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. When I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. I look to Him and I am radiant, my face is never covered with shame. I called, and He heard me; He saved me out of all my troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around me because I revere Him, and He delivers me. Praise the name of the Lord! Amen

[@sheireland3737]

I came for Errol G - I stayed to listen to Earnest. Seems like a really nice man.

I love it. He is sitting on two phone books. I listen to a lot of pianists, but Erroll Garner is my favorite. He taught himself to play the piano, by listening to records when he was a child. Great stories about Erroll Garner.

[@chucooney]

What a great video. Hearing Ernest McCarty talk about working with Garner is priceless.

[@aryehbenyehudah9965]

Errol Garner is by far the most extraordinary pianist ever. #Magnificent

[@AzlanValentine]

Aryeh Ben Yehudah and OP

[@ikeabuchi1]

I agree

[@christophmessner6450]

So true!

[@kerencanelo8580]

How you can declare such stupid things?

[@RustuPai]

@@kerencanelo8580 the only thing stupid here is your tone (and mine now that are replied likely one year later)

[@navyflyer7465]

As a child in the sixties looking through my parents albums, I ran across a album Errol Garner "Concert by the Sea". It turned me on to Errol Garner and developed my listening ability at an early. age. Whenever he is playing he's playing classical music.

[@djtomt]

I am SO glad I got to see this. What a privilege to finally know about this man and his genius! Unforgettable.

[@lynnjaskowiak9963]

Im transported to a beautiful place of calm when I hear Mr.Garner play... Beyond words...

[@christophmessner6450]

🎯

[@girlinagale]

This. Haven't listened to Errol Garner for years, how life gets in the way of listening to Errol Garner.

[@JackieKixx]

Erroll Garner is a highly fluented musician!! One of my idols!

[@pianonight]

That is some next level genius. I dont know how any band could keep up with him.

[@autumnleaves2766]

Have been an Erroll Garner fan for 40 years and regret being not quite old enough to have heard him live. We still know so little about his life, there don't seem to be any books or films about him apart from this one. The bass player here is concerned that Erroll might get forgotten about, the programme was made in 1981, just four years after Erroll died. Here we are 40 years later and you can still buy much of Erroll's recordings on CD etc but there is a younger generation that knows nothing about him. He was a genius and his amazing music deserves to be heard by more people, jazz shouldn't be a minority interest music. Really enjoyed this excellent interview, thanks for uploading it.

[@patzimmusic]

Love the clips where Erroll is playing and the band is staring at him dumbfounded haha

[@Johannes_Brahms65]

I'm one of those classical piano players that get totally overwhelmed and jealous by hearing this.

[@williambrandongiles3692]

That's how I feel about, Prince's artistry ! ....

[@gomargarita]

Doesn’t that just put a big smile on your face!? Thank you for uploading this film; it’s a gem! We’re so lucky to have this interview with Ernest McCarty.

[@davidceredig-evans1071]

I cannot help but smile as I listen to such a groove from EG!

[@haydenwayne3710]

What a fabulously unique style of playing!!!

[@hakimhachicha1895]

shout out Errol garner! Man is like Buddha expressing through piano. LOVE! shout out his bassist for being so eloquent and engaging with his description of this great musician and human.

[@trishoconnor2169]

"The ladies responded to him?"/"Yeah, the overflow was wonderful."

[@christophmessner6450]

His music is Godly joy! He transcended from the heavens to show us earthlings how they play up there....the bassist and drummer too ...

[@anthonywilliams6764]

I had the same experience in Spain, playing with a fabulous pianist, who just like Errol Garner sometimes opened a tune in multiple keys, and time signatures, and to make things more complicated, the rhythm section were Spanish speaking , and not familiar with the tunes. Sometimes the tune was a one hit wonder from an obscure broadway musical of the thirties, and it was only intuition and some sort of song memory that rescued the performance. I have the happiest memories of the gigs though, and we were booked a year in advance, which proves that it must have listenable.

[@michelcamachomusic]

Who was the pianist?

[@dggd8528]

I'VE LOVED ERROLL WITH A PASSION SINCE CHILDHOOD....

[@eedleate]

How far was he ahead of his time feel wise? That laid back left hand is totally neo soul. One of th greats.

[@themidger1]

I can’t believe he isn’t very well known outside of the jazz world anymore. Erroll was likely the greatest piano player who has ever lived. Just watching him pound out this jaw dropping music endlessly with little effort off the top of his head is such a privilege. It must have been just awesome to watch him in real life.

[@Bioniking]

Absolutely, so enjoyable to listen to. If I were to introduce someone to jazz, Erroll is one of the artists I'd choose

[@Veaseify]

Not many great jazz musicians from that time are well known at all outside of the jazz world. Miles Davis and Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie, maybe Billie Holliday and thats about it. I mean names that would mean anything to casual listeners.

[@jayhendricks67]

@@Veaseify Duke Ellington is known World Wide throughout the ages Every Genre has its Royalties Queen Prince and Duke 😂

[@sebastianschweigert7117]

I mean he is great, and perhaps one of the greatest, but there have been so many great players it's hard to really point to one and say "this is it. The one and only greatest ever!"

[@mofnn24]

Thank you to Omar Shabazz and Ernest McCarty for this wonderful enlightenment of Erroll Garner. Sure didn't know what I missed.

[@JCox964]

I recall while back n high school during the mid to late 70’s, my music teacher by the way comes from a rich heritage of Johnson family musically speaking, highlighted the gift of this musician. Never saw footage until now. I’m blowed away . Wowww

[@gbernardwandel4174]

At this moment 1.6 K people are 👍🏽 and 14 people are 👎🏽 I wonder what is up that slightly more than a dozen sad folks This video is as enlightening as it is nourishing for me

[@MrWaynesea]

One could get the impression that the accompanying musicians were a gravitational impediment to Mr. Garner's weightless journeys over the keyboard.

[@dkj4183]

Ahh yes, the drama of the gifted child. This is one very cool discussion about Erroll Garner. His music is always spiritual to me. Dean Seattle

[@GuyMannDudeTheOnly]

An amazing story,,,great explanation fro the Bass player...This has been one of the most extraordinary videos I've ever seen...

[@pauljung6890]

that bit at 15:00 is hilarious! he keeps changing keys. sometimes one hand will change keys, but the other may not... hilarious and amazing at the same time.

[@GuyMannDudeTheOnly]

Yes!!

[@robertsmith2944]

E.Garner was an innovater, no one played the piano like that, before him He never played a song the same way twice. He played with Charlie Parker with ease , and he could swing like hell .On Art Tatum 's death bed ,he said look out for Garner , keep an eye on him,There are people who don't like Jazz , love the way he played.He could swing any song ,the Beatles, Motown ,Garner had a God given talent, perfect pitch and able to see chords in different hues ,Garner was the Goat !!!

[@ruthp1453]

This is pure gold. Just dropping in again for more happiness. Ding-a-ling! :-D

[@claudeg.thompson7103]

Il n'y a eu il il n'y aura jamais qu'un seul Erroll Garner... le génie est une fête.

[@sonja9001]

A great story about a bassist who was hypnotized by greatness. I have a special thing in my ear concerning bassists. I hear more than the notes, I hear the intent, the tone, the nuance, the history, the time, the logic like a Bach figured bass line, the swing and the invitation to come and jam within every walking bass line. AI can’t do it only a bassist who is a musician can do it. It is painful to think that a black man sweating on stage would put people off or make certain people think it was alcohol. I think it was the exertion and the hot stage lights…especially for filming. I like the way Erroll Garner plays a melody and then immediately improvises phrase by phrase. Weaving tune and new creation. I hear POP’s in every tune I have heard Errol play, and the blues stands out! I would guess that Armstrong like Garner was not hip enough for some people. Erroll and Armstrong were always hip enough for me and I didn’t need my father to say take a listen or second listen to figure that out with my own two ears.

[@errollwithtwolsplease1038]

Thank you very much Omar Shabazz for posting this very interesting interview, a great addition to the audiovisual documents available regarding the little giant from Pittsburgh. A couple of years back Ernest McCarty produced and recorded an EG tribute album with former bandmate Jimmie Smith on drums and with Geri Allen - RIP - on piano. I hope Ernest, and Jimmie too, can enjoy many more happy years of playing, they certainly served Erroll, and us, very well. Sadly, with reference to the opening comments from Gil Noble and the closing ones from Ernest, it seems that Erroll's star has continued to wane since the time of this 1981 interview, and more is the pity.

[@natalyamark]

Unique genius!

[@PabluchoViision]

This is a documentary to savor. The wonderment, the astonishment that McCarty (already at that time an experienced, accomplished musician in the demanding world of jazz) felt at Garner’s music and way of being speaks volumes. Accompanying EG must have been like getting in the ring with Muhammad Ali, or walking a high wire across a gorge: terrifying, life-changing, exhilarating.

[@joevald3]

Genius gifted one-of-a-kind . Left a legacy for anyone of his caliber to try

[@marcosquitopianolounge6350]

A pure legend !! By little we almost had no video recordings from him. That s amazing. His smile and pleasure face when doing "of record" things. I started playing piano 25 years ago, and I m still afraid to look at his videos... we get down as pianist... we HOW HE CAN DO IT ?!?! I received advices to avoid Errol, Tatun, and Monk, to avoid frustration. But still, it s very good to see him playing. Marvillhous !!

[@bernios3446]

Hmmm, music is pouring out of his whole body, of his face, arms, fingers, eyes, his smile, his spirit...

[@getezra1]

Clint Eastwood's favorite jazz pianist. so is mine.

[@WildBillCox13]

"It's a trick . . . Art Tatum walks into the room and all the piano players start drinking heavily again. Bar owners knew and worked the crowd by inviting Art inside." -Hehehe

[@robertsucher41]

A confluence of revelations: Like It Is, Ernest. McCarty and Erroll Garner all in one accidental encounter on KZbin. So many strands to pursue. God Bless KZbin.

[@manlypedro75]

What Joy in that man's face! Music oozing out of every pore! @ 19:00

[@annabellaashby8589]

Loved him when I was a kid and still do. Fabulous and joyful

[@ronalddean3630]

Truly amazing; talent like this only comes from within. Thank you for posting!

[@MrGreencheetah]

Perhaps my all-time favorite video on KZbin. What a phenom this man was!

[@virghammer1]

Me, too!

[@MrGreencheetah]

@@virghammer1 Yea!!! Kindred spirit!!!

[@wiggityp]

Everyone talks Tatum and Peterson up, and for good reason obviously, but I think Garner is right there with them ability wise. Arguably more idiomatic in his approach too. So distinct. He was on another level even for pros.

[@twofishes8846]

Bless you for this wonderful expose'

[@sarsaparillasunset3873]

He's not making music, it's coming through him. He's channeling. I've had this experience. You get surprised by the stuff that come out, and you sort of can't believe you are making this stuff because often times it sounds like nothing you've heard before, it's crazy.

[@jameswaltermusic]

So True, SO TRUE!

[@gortapocalypse]

Channeling is a very real thing. Sometimes you see and hear a performance that is so magnificent that it seems to be coming from a different realm. As an artist, I have experienced this many times in my paintings.

[@Nikora.Biddle]

Howwwwwwww do I play like this. Improvising on the spot, so effortlessly as if my hands have a mind of its own. Expressing my thoughts and feelings through the piano. ): one day.....