martedì 13 agosto 2013

Jazz in Italy: Erroll Garner trio Live in Turin (1971)


After a long absence we come back with a gorgeous concert performed more than 40 years ago by one of the most influential pianist of the past century: Erroll Garner (1921-1977).



In the evening of May 7, 1971, in Turin (Italy) the pianist presented himself with his most usual format: the classic piano trio, completed with a conga player: Ernest McCarty, jr., bass; Jimmie Smith, drums; Josè Mangual, congas.
The program was particularly engaging with some classic standards of the repertoire of the pianist, including a particular analysis (three tracks) of his masterpiece Misty, in total nine tracks welcomed with ovations by an enthusiastic pubblic,


01. The Shadow of Your Smile 4:42 
02. The Girl From Ipanema 5:40 
03. Misty 4:24 
04. There Will Never Be Another You 2:46 
05. Misty #2 2:16 
06. Variations on ”Misty” 1:39 
07. Yesterday 5:19 
08. I’ll Remember April 4:06 
09. Tell It Like It Is 4:38 


Shown below the opening track



The second track was an exciting Bossa Nova


The extraordinary popularity of Garner induced some critics to consider his music not strictly jazz ,but more akin with popular music. An unaccetable opinion considering Garner's musical work as in the following track where we can appreciate some variations on Misty



Finally this live performance give us one of the best moments of the late phase of his career, that will end after few years.