This is how you accompany a singer!

[@AndreasDelleske]

That's because the pianist is stellar. Every singer would grow here.

[@PianoDigitalScores]

100%

[@Jazzinthecountry]

Phenomenal accompaniment.

[@RhotenXxX]

This is amazing, and the transcriber is awesome!

[@PianoDigitalScores]

Thank you so much!

[@darnfirefingers]

My friends, this is probably the pinnacle of the art of accompaniment. I'm fascinated by such creative geniuses and how they can just excavate incredible beauty that is not static. This beauty is alive, maybe a little uncomfortable, and engages with your soul. It is one of those works I am grateful to have encountered in my lifetime! Thank you for sharing!

[@PianoDigitalScores]

You're welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@timsharp100]

Beautiful choice of music and again a wonderful job of transcribing. Much appreciated!

[@PianoDigitalScores]

Thank you!

[@jrcwwl]

You can only do an accompaniment like this if the singer is very skilled like Mel here. Many singers who aren't that good, the pianist has to bang out the melody throughout the song.

[@abath07]

If the singer is less experienced, I often simplify my playing and cue them by playing the first few notes of each phrase in unison with them to help keep them focused. This approach ensures they stay on track and find each phrase without getting lost. If I played with the same level of intricacy as in the video, an intermediate singer would likely struggle. A seasoned professional like Mel Tormé, who knows the songs inside and out, wouldn’t face this challenge.

[@ericwarncke]

This was incredible

[@hdb28091]

this is just fantastic. I had never heard of this pianist so I chased him down - lots of Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, etc. evident in his playing. def going to be buying this transcription to try and pick up on some of the nice flourishes and voicings.

[@PianoDigitalScores]

Thank you, have fun learning!

[@jazzvent]

WOW ! What an amazing accompaniment !

[@Steve-xl1en]

oh man amazing transcription. There is a lifetime of learning there. It is so rare to find transcriptions of accompaniment. Would love to hear more on how you approach this, as I am doing more and more of it lately.

[@PianoDigitalScores]

Thank you, Steve! I just use a software to slow down the audio and sometimes isolate the piano frequencies if it's not clear enough what notes are played.

[@hidehitosatoh]

I like it tremendously. I will study it completely. Thank you very much!

[@PianoDigitalScores]

You are welcome!

[@dy1N-e1l]

Amazing transcription! And such great playing as well,

[@PianoDigitalScores]

Thank you! 🙏

[@anitadavideduo]

Wonderful!

[@noax8383]

Very Nice!

[@asliuf]

holy shit

[@PianoDigitalScores]

100%

[@jamesonrichards5105]

Who is this singer???? Absolute majesty

[@PianoDigitalScores]

It's Mel Tormé

[@RonBarry-kp2nn]

Is that Harry Stone in the front row? =]

[@PianoDigitalScores]

Which one?

[@RonBarry-kp2nn]

@@PianoDigitalScores Joke.

[@christophmunch4796]

I am a bit stumped by many of the comments here. It is a tender ballad, but the pianist plays flashy things and again and again puts himself too much into the spotlight. It is surely interesting and inspiring for learners, but it most definitely is NOT a "masterclass in accompanying"!

[@PianoDigitalScores]

I respect your point of view.

[@obironsnowjobi]

Listen to any of the Shearing albums…. When you have Masters executing their art, they rise and fall with each other in volume attack and business. Mike Renzi another great example with Mel.

[@uweroessler7515]

There are two or three moments here, indeed, where I also find that he (John Colianni) is playing too much. It doesn´t seem to affect Tormé in his rendition, however, but I understand that it can be rather distracting for some ears (i.e. for mine). Colianni also took part in Tormé´s Christmas album. And there (!) his accompanying is absolutely masterly!