Reprinted with permission from Jazz Educators Journal, July 2000, page 71.

Jazz Perspectives - Dr. Herb Wong

ERROLL GARNER. "Erroll Garner," (6 CD Box Set) Telarc Archive 83475. Incomparable pianist Erroll Garner's 12 albums on Telarc, organized into six discs, is a celebratory legacy of his forthright genius. The set ranks as an essential resource for jazz historians, instructors, students, fans, and pianists of every stripe. Out-of-print for some twenty years, the body of the set (circa 1959-1973) is replete with marvelous stories Garner tells with his inherent melodic and lyrical music -- entirely improvised. Delightful, exuberant Garnerisms penetrate standards, blues, ballads, and his originals -- played in the contextual breadth of his trio and a 35-piece orchestra condncted by Leith Stevens (on the "A New Kind of Love" album). The collection includes "That's My Kick" and "Gemini," "Gershwin and Kern" and "Magician," "Dreamstreet" and "One World Concert," "Now Playing: A Night at the Movies" and "Up in Erroll's Room" "Closeup in Swing" and "A New Kind of Love," and "Campus Concert" and "Feeling is Believing." Perchance your personal collection or your jazz studies reference archives doesn't have any Garner (is it really, sanely possible?), then don't delay... chase after this set! Gamer's uniqueness is a trademark of instant recognition and is guaranteed to arouse pleasures, respect, and admiration. His originality in sound and style are partnered with his irrepressible, joyful swing and surefire ability to spring abundant surprises and create rewarding experiences -- a phenomenon which depletes the need to decipher and analyze. His music simply makes happiness surround the environment he plays; in the case of the treasure trove laden with hours of Garner, his effervescent energy and fresh imagination will make you gallop!

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