Erroll Garner

thumb|Garner c. 1947 Erroll Louis Garner (June 15, 1921 – January 2, 1977) was an American jazz pianist and composer known for his swing playing. His instrumental ballad "Misty", his best-known composition, now a jazz standard, was first recorded in 1954 for his Contrasts album, and the tune served a prominent role in the motion picture Play Misty for Me (1971). Scott Yanow of AllMusic described Garner as "one of the most distinctive of all pianists" and a "brilliant virtuoso". Garner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6363 Hollywood Boulevard. His live album Concert by the Sea first released in 1955, sold more than a million copies by 1958, and Yanow's opinion on the album is that it "made such a strong impression that Garner was considered immortal from then on". Quotes about Erroll Garner Since Erroll Garner left the scene nearly 50 years ago in 1977, it’s hard to convey what a phenomenon he really was. Without making any conscious attempt at celebrity, the elfin pianist became that rare thing: a jazz musician who was also a household name. He attracted a huge audience solely by exuberant improvisation, love of good tunes and utterly infectious swing. Geoffrey Smith BBC Music (December 3, 2024) External links Category:1921 births Category:1977 deaths