This mans skill is just pure amazing at work. Although I lack the musical knowledge to appreciate all of the intricacies of this piece, I do posses the common sense and love of piano to know that this is absolutely beautiful music. What blessed hands!!
Isn't this enough to convince jazz piano lovers that Art Tatum could not ever be overrated. That this astonishing mind with these astonishing fingers. Marquel Johnson said .. ".You can play fast and still sound like crap.When art tatum played fast, it actually sounded like something." Exactly..
This is one of my favorite recordings of Art Tatum. He along with Bud Powell are my two favorite jazz pianist. It truly is a sweet and beautiful performance. Thanks for uploading.
Yes Tatum was a masterful pioneer in so many ways. I never tire from listening too and discussing the wonderful pianist. This is an incredible rendition of this lovely song but and that in itself explains Tatum ....always incredible. Is there one thing in this world to truly live for, that's beyond explination, makes magic happen and dreams come true...yes It's the genius of Art Tatum.
Ok say what you want............... What else can one say......Of all the musicians that I wish I had the opportunity to listen to "live," this is the guy.
The immaculate rhythm, exquisite timing, amazing chording, dynamics, touch; Tatum is a universal great in all music. Sweet, sharp, timeless, tasteful...
Art Tatum had something that goes way beyond mastery of the instrument and beyond virtuosity. His musicality was so deep opening up so many harmonic possibilities far beyond what anyone was even attempting to do in his time or even now. His time was flawless and he plays such surprising figures that make you wonder how he's going to nail the "one" but he does it every time like a cat falling who always lands on it's feet. He had an awesome touch and got such sound out of a piano. That's why like with Buddy Rich and all other drummers, it's difficult not to say, there's Tatum - and then there's everyone else.
What more can be said of this "Genius". He takes me to a very special far off place filled with miracles and dreams comming true land. Aren't some of us so blessed to be able to hear all the magic he gave us, to be alive and enjoy this awesome talent. I always know deep within me he is everything to live for everything. Between Thank you for this wonderful gift
Beyond good, brilliant, talented, the genius of jazz piano, Art, (what other name Is comprehensible) shows us what can be done but only by him. I love it because I must.
To be able to master an instrument especially the piano in such a unique way is truly masterful. Art was that type of pianist, his technique was extraordinary. I've learned a long time ago that you never try to compare an artist to any other. Each one has his or her own unique talent. And with a lot of practice they develop their own unique voice of expression. If you listen closely you develop an ear to a particular musician. Art Tatum, is Art Tatum, there is no denying it...
Little Man you've had a busy Day was written by Mabel Wayne, Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler. It was first recorded by Emil Coleman, who led a New York dance orchestra in 1934. Isham Jones (who had a very popular band in the 1920s) had a semi big hit with it, but it was Paul Robeson (famous for singing Ole man River) that had the first big hit with it. Ray Noble also had a big hit with it. The song was kind of forgotten until Perry Como recorded it in 58 and Sarah Vaughn& Count Basie did it in 61.
eccentric...one of the best musical contributions on U Tube...of all the many wonderful Tatum recordings I think this is my favorite..( if it's possible to have a Tatum favorite)...:) Thank you for this!
Perhaps nobody in piano playing history has been able to integrate so much into his playing; one of those musicians who come along about every 100 years. He was playing on a higher plane to his contemporaries.
Bud Powell...wonderful and yes he had his special musical contributions! I really can't be diplomatic when it come to comparing Tatum with others. To me A Tatum was absolutely the best. I have every one of his recordings and love him so. I truly think this particular rendition of Little Man You've Had A Busy Day is a very good example of how masterful this great pianist was.
One of the best musical contributions on U Tube...of all the many wonderful Tatum recordings I think this is my favorite..( if it's possible to have a Tatum favorite)...:) Thank you for this! How absolutely marvelous this pianist was. Of the many magic tricks... I'm picking 2:00-2:18 as just one of his many astounding statements ...Genius!
From Wikipedia: Around 1950 when Bud Powell was opening for Tatum at Birdland (jazz club), Powell reportedly said to Tatum: "Man, I'm going to really show you about tempo and playing fast. Anytime you're ready." Tatum laughed and replied: "Look, you come in here tomorrow, and anything you do with your right hand, I'll do with my left." Powell never took up the challenge.
pt voi,pe undeva si fratii nostri,scoala pt voi este o piedica......simtul vostru depaseste orice imaginatie lumii nu tocmai a voastra !!!!!!!!!! sincere si profunde felicitari !
It even goes beyond any consideration of him as jazz pianist. It's simply and astounding skill is given to very few human beings. I could compare it to the man who can make a whole in one any time he picks up a golf club or a baseball player who can hit a home run every time he picks up a bat. Having this phenomenal ability at the keyboard, jazz happened to be the medium Tatum chose to work with. Because his life coincided with that phase in the american popular music of his day, he chose it rather than classical music. I imagine he could have been a great player of Chopin, Beethoven or any of the classical European composers. It's certain that none of their music would have presented any technical problems to him, because he had greater dexterity and greater command of the keyboard than any classical pianist I've ever heard. (Teddy Wilson)
This quote, especially coming from an outstanding pianist like Teddy Wilson, pretty much sums up the genius of Art Tatum. I see a lot of people on the Tatum video postings who boast that any classically trained pianist can do anything Tatum did. You can only laugh at such dimwits. They need to read this quote. Nice post.
The great classical pianist Vladimir Horowitz told how he had worked on Tea For Two for months, creating these difficult runs. Finally he called Tatum over and played it for him. Tatum was impressed and played Tea for Two. After a few minutes (Tatum could go on and on), Horowitz stopped him and asked how long that had taken Tatum to write. Tatum told him he just made it up - that's the magic of Tatum - not just his giant talent, but the mind that went with it.
@Maxven Refused to move at the Cincinnati Jazz Festival in the early 60s after the sound guys realized they sold me the wrong seats for them to operate. Ended up with free tickets for the next night's show plus press passed back stage. Monk was "real high" as usual. Impossible to talk to him. A flawless performance none the less. A great memory for me for ever.
awesome post eccentric. i take it this is from the "20th Century Piano Genius". i love this tune so much. can you imagine if you were one of the people who saw this? i don't think the people at the party realized how special this was. it would be like watching mozart compose. thank you so much!
I've had this discussion with others that don't quite understand the genius of Tatum!They say "It isn't the amount of notes a pianist plays but the choice of notes and where they are placed in a song". They site Bill Evans as an example. I would say in most cases they are right but not when it comes to Tatum. Take for example between 2:00-2:18 in this tune,everyone of those notes are right! Perfectly,precisely placed in a most meaningful way.Tatum never wasted a note!
If you're looking for exercises and harmonic devices, you can always use the Nicolas Slonimsky Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns. It's a life-long study.
Have this song, a different version, as part of a playlist at my customer service job. In general it is just a well wtitten song and melody on its own, add to that this man and a piano and here you have it
exactly - tatum had bth gifts -- amazing velocity and agreat sense of "note choice".No one was experimenting with flatted fifths and other musical devices before Tatum.
well im an musician,and heard of this guy and heard of him.studied piano as a mandatory class in music academy,i am actually a violinist,that´s why i allow myself to say,that,such kind of playing,with many many double stops,and arpeggios etc...cannot just be coincedence,he must practice this all...if not,this had to be then right that,he is even greater...i say this very coinsence,greater than horowitz...coz we know he practiced daily many many hours...
A "true" story I heard on my national public radio jazz station,,,, Oscar Peterson, Art and a bunch of pianists were at a club, and they all got up to play, one at a time, Art followed Oscar, and Tatum played Little Man you ve had a busy day,,,, Everyone in the club got the joke, but it was supposed to be all in fun,,,, A great book to steal Art's licks is by Riccardo Scivales,,the right hand according to Tatum, Ekay Music inc,,,, and no, my name is not riccardo lol
There is a bit of abruptness with Tatum compared to what we listen to today. If we all just try to understand just a little bit, and move forward to today, this guy has already passed us and we don't know it. Just the guy that I always wished I could have listened to at a live performance. When they land on the Moon again, Art will have already bin on Mars and blasted off for the next great episode. God do I wish I could have heard him in person. NorthernPlus
Oscar Peterson used to tell a great story about himself and some other pianists sitting around, taking turns playing for Tatum. He let them go on and on, then played for them THIS particular tune. He probably picked it for it's title: Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day. As in, "Nice try!"
@Blackkx It was Tiger Rag, but it was 2 months as you can her in an interview. Just search oscar Peterson interview, ehh some with pevrin i though. Im quite drunk now so i don't remember haha. Anyway sad that Art can't hear Oscar playing when he went older cuz i think they're on the same level, just diffirent style!
For me, the only real challenger to Tatum was Oscar Peterson. Phineas Newborne is another worthy successor - its no wonder that his primary influences were Tatum, Powell and Peterson. I'm astounded by Tatum and learn something new, but admittedly probably enjoy listening to Peterson more, especially when working with a group.
Don't feel bad if you can imitatum technique-wise, however the harmonic devices that Tatum pioneered are part of the harmonic landscape of contemporary jazz.
I hear alot of that stuff Corey Henry is doing in this clip.....I like it.....I like how his speed is used almost like a paint brush against those chords....
@poetictube People who don't know much about music get hung up on speed and technique when there is so much more. Tatum was great and also had great technique. He was not great because he had great technique.
Before Bud walked in there was Art. i love Bud. i can't take anything from him, but Art was born before Bud. He set a high standard. Art was more advanced harmonically than Bud. He wasn't necessarily a faster subdivider than Bud but he played denser harmonies and more altered harmonies than Bud. Bud played simple two voice shells usually in his left hand. He did write UnPoco Loco and some surrielistic Salvator Dali kinds of abstractions musically but Art did more with tempo changes too.
Am I the only person who heard nothing but a beautiful song? It gets annoying when every single Art Tatum video devolves into stupid arguments over who played faster than who. Art Tatum was also very lyrical player, who could evoke strong, deep emotion. Do people forget this ??????
As a student you should learn a tune and then listen to what the masters do with it. Listen to guys like Tatum and figure out what he's playing how he is improvising on the changes and how he is modifying the changes. Ultimately it's more important to listen to yourself and your own inspiration, than trying to imitate anyone or play any licks or chops.
@poetictube Art does not always play fast either. A good piano player does not always play fast because thats not what the piano is all about.You can play fast and still sound like crap.When art tatum played fast, it actually sounded like something.
You can never go wrong with Art Tatum.
This mans skill is just pure amazing at work. Although I lack the musical knowledge to appreciate all of the intricacies of this piece, I do posses the common sense and love of piano to know that this is absolutely beautiful music. What blessed hands!!
thats a really sweet way of viewing things! I like that take honestly
Isn't this enough to convince jazz piano lovers that Art Tatum could not ever be overrated. That this astonishing mind with these astonishing fingers. Marquel Johnson said ..
".You can play fast and still sound like crap.When art tatum played fast, it actually sounded like something." Exactly..
toot sweet
This is one of my favorite recordings of Art Tatum. He along with Bud Powell are my two favorite jazz pianist. It truly is a sweet and beautiful performance. Thanks for uploading.
This is my first time listening to art tatum and honestly, I'm blown away.
Yes Tatum was a masterful pioneer in so many ways. I never tire from listening too and discussing the wonderful pianist. This is an incredible rendition of this lovely song but and that in itself explains Tatum ....always incredible. Is there one thing in this world to truly live for, that's beyond explination, makes magic happen and dreams come true...yes It's the genius of Art Tatum.
Ok say what you want............... What else can one say......Of all the musicians that I wish I had the opportunity to listen to "live," this is the guy.
The immaculate rhythm, exquisite timing, amazing chording, dynamics, touch; Tatum is a universal great in all music. Sweet, sharp, timeless, tasteful...
Art Tatum had something that goes way beyond mastery of the instrument and beyond virtuosity. His musicality was so deep opening up so many harmonic possibilities far beyond what anyone was even attempting to do in his time or even now. His time was flawless and he plays such surprising figures that make you wonder how he's going to nail the "one" but he does it every time like a cat falling who always lands on it's feet. He had an awesome touch and got such sound out of a piano. That's why like with Buddy Rich and all other drummers, it's difficult not to say, there's Tatum - and then there's everyone else.
What more can be said of this "Genius". He takes me to a very special far off place filled with miracles and dreams comming true land. Aren't some of us so blessed to be able to hear all the magic he gave us, to be alive and enjoy this awesome talent. I always know deep within me he is everything to live for everything. Between Thank you for this wonderful gift
Classical perfection, in jazz style execution. Every note a pearl on a string.
Beyond good, brilliant, talented, the genius of jazz piano, Art, (what other name Is comprehensible) shows us what can be done but only by him. I love it because I must.
To be able to master an instrument especially the piano in such a unique way is truly masterful. Art was that type of pianist, his technique was extraordinary. I've learned a long time ago that you never try to compare an artist to any other. Each one has his or her own unique talent. And with a lot of practice they develop their own unique voice of expression. If you listen closely you develop an ear to a particular musician. Art Tatum, is Art Tatum, there is no denying it...
Little Man you've had a busy Day was written by Mabel Wayne, Al Hoffman and Maurice Sigler. It was first recorded by Emil Coleman, who led a New York dance orchestra in 1934. Isham Jones (who had a very popular band in the 1920s) had a semi big hit with it, but it was Paul Robeson (famous for singing Ole man River) that had the first big hit with it. Ray Noble also had a big hit with it. The song was kind of forgotten until Perry Como recorded it in 58 and Sarah Vaughn& Count Basie did it in 61.
this guy is in other dimensions. incredible improvisational abillity!
eccentric...one of the best musical contributions on U Tube...of all the many wonderful Tatum recordings I think this is my favorite..( if it's possible to have a Tatum favorite)...:) Thank you for this!
His vision for the music was HUGE, even though he was almost blind.
I completely agree with you. Earl Hines seems to be very underrated, yet he had superb playing capabilities
Perhaps nobody in piano playing history has been able to integrate so much into his playing; one of those musicians who come along about every 100 years. He was playing on a higher plane to his contemporaries.
im proud to have the name Art after watching this :]
awesome tune - this man is really into music
Agreed, was just thinking that--this is the best Tatum I've heard on youtube--and I enjoy your submissions as well.
Bud Powell...wonderful and yes he had his special musical contributions! I really can't be diplomatic when it come to comparing Tatum with others. To me A Tatum was absolutely the best. I have every one of his recordings and love him so. I truly think this particular rendition of Little Man You've Had A Busy Day is a very good example of how masterful this great pianist was.
each note is like a raindrop of magic. sometimes its hard to believe he was human.
One of the best musical contributions on U Tube...of all the many wonderful Tatum recordings I think this is my favorite..( if it's possible to have a Tatum favorite)...:) Thank you for this! How absolutely marvelous this pianist was. Of the many magic tricks... I'm picking 2:00-2:18 as just one of his many astounding statements ...Genius!
"He was Born for Piano or ,it was made with him in mind from an angelic realm..."
incredible evenness/lightness/fullness of tone - reminds me of horowitz.
He reminds me of Mozart. Talent from within that others either admire. or envied....
Erl Hines, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson...masters of the Jazz Piano.
From Wikipedia:
Around 1950 when Bud Powell was opening for Tatum at Birdland (jazz club), Powell reportedly said to Tatum: "Man, I'm going to really show you about tempo and playing fast. Anytime you're ready."
Tatum laughed and replied: "Look, you come in here tomorrow, and anything you do with your right hand, I'll do with my left."
Powell never took up the challenge.
PURE Genius!
pt voi,pe undeva si fratii nostri,scoala pt voi este o piedica......simtul vostru depaseste orice imaginatie lumii nu tocmai a voastra !!!!!!!!!! sincere si profunde felicitari !
It even goes beyond any consideration of him as jazz pianist. It's simply and astounding skill is given to very few human beings. I could compare it to the man who can make a whole in one any time he picks up a golf club or a baseball player who can hit a home run every time he picks up a bat. Having this phenomenal ability at the keyboard, jazz happened to be the medium Tatum chose to work with. Because his life coincided with that phase in the american popular music of his day, he chose it rather than classical music. I imagine he could have been a great player of Chopin, Beethoven or any of the classical European composers. It's certain that none of their music would have presented any technical problems to him, because he had greater dexterity and greater command of the keyboard than any classical pianist I've ever heard. (Teddy Wilson)
This quote, especially coming from an outstanding pianist like Teddy Wilson, pretty much sums up the genius of Art Tatum. I see a lot of people on the Tatum video postings who boast that any classically trained pianist can do anything Tatum did. You can only laugh at such dimwits. They need to read this quote. Nice post.
@Dave Smith I'd like to think that great genius follows a soul through incarnations, it is a lovely and exciting sentiment.
art will be ever there.his piano playing is so wide.
The great classical pianist Vladimir Horowitz told how he had worked on Tea For Two for months, creating these difficult runs. Finally he called Tatum over and played it for him. Tatum was impressed and played Tea for Two. After a few minutes (Tatum could go on and on), Horowitz stopped him and asked how long that had taken Tatum to write. Tatum told him he just made it up - that's the magic of Tatum - not just his giant talent, but the mind that went with it.
@Maxven
Refused to move at the Cincinnati Jazz Festival in the early 60s after the sound guys realized they sold me the wrong seats for them to operate. Ended up with free tickets for the next night's show plus press passed back stage. Monk was "real high" as usual. Impossible to talk to him. A flawless performance none the less. A great memory for me for ever.
awesome post eccentric. i take it this is from the "20th Century Piano Genius". i love this tune so much. can you imagine if you were one of the people who saw this? i don't think the people at the party realized how special this was. it would be like watching mozart compose. thank you so much!
Take a look at some of Nat King Cole's piano arrangements. You'll be stunned. He was a genius like Tatum, and mighty good hands...
I've had this discussion with others that don't quite understand the genius of Tatum!They say "It isn't the amount of notes a pianist plays but the choice of notes and where they are placed in a song". They site Bill Evans as an example. I would say in most cases they are right but not when it comes to Tatum. Take for example between 2:00-2:18 in this tune,everyone of those notes are right! Perfectly,precisely placed in a most meaningful way.Tatum never wasted a note!
If you're looking for exercises and harmonic devices, you can always use the Nicolas Slonimsky Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns. It's a life-long study.
Have this song, a different version, as part of a playlist at my customer service job. In general it is just a well wtitten song and melody on its own, add to that this man and a piano and here you have it
exactly - tatum had bth gifts -- amazing velocity and agreat sense of "note choice".No one was experimenting with flatted fifths and other musical devices before Tatum.
Awesomely gentle.
4 people don't know beauty when they hear it
2:42 my lord 🔥🎶🎵 master, true master
This was also amazing 2:32
+Random Archives Agreed
well im an musician,and heard of this guy and heard of him.studied piano as a mandatory class in music academy,i am actually a violinist,that´s why i allow myself to say,that,such kind of playing,with many many double stops,and arpeggios etc...cannot just be coincedence,he must practice this all...if not,this had to be then right that,he is even greater...i say this very coinsence,greater than horowitz...coz we know he practiced daily many many hours...
DIVINE INCOMPARABLE PIANIST
1930s...Ray Noble and his Orchestra....with Paul Robeson.
Get a Hanon music book it's really good to start with and the excercises are fun.
This was in July 3,1955 at Ray Heindorf's house
ill never understand how he played so fast and perfectly, did he live in some kind of time warp or something??
A "true" story I heard on my national public radio jazz station,,,, Oscar Peterson, Art and a bunch of pianists were at a club, and they all got up to play, one at a time, Art followed Oscar, and Tatum played Little Man you ve had a busy day,,,, Everyone in the club got the joke, but it was supposed to be all in fun,,,, A great book to steal Art's licks is by Riccardo Scivales,,the right hand according to Tatum, Ekay Music inc,,,, and no, my name is not riccardo lol
Cool harmonic suspension, chord and ascending run, 1:07-1:10
There is a bit of abruptness with Tatum compared to what we listen to today. If we all just try to understand just a little bit, and move forward to today, this guy has already passed us and we don't know it. Just the guy that I always wished I could have listened to at a live performance. When they land on the Moon again, Art will have already bin on Mars and blasted off for the next great episode. God do I wish I could have heard him in person.
NorthernPlus
can you hear the depth in that grand piano? would have really suited Art, with his mastery of the keyboard.
Magical.........!!!!!!!!
He is awsome on the piano.
Oscar Peterson used to tell a great story about himself and some other pianists sitting around, taking turns playing for Tatum. He let them go on and on, then played for them THIS particular tune. He probably picked it for it's title: Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day. As in, "Nice try!"
Genius!
@Blackkx It was Tiger Rag, but it was 2 months as you can her in an interview. Just search oscar Peterson interview, ehh some with pevrin i though. Im quite drunk now so i don't remember haha. Anyway sad that Art can't hear Oscar playing when he went older cuz i think they're on the same level, just diffirent style!
ART!!!!
He didn't play jazz. He played his soul
master of the piano :)
I wish this was on Spotify but it’s not 😥
TATUM!!!!!!!!!!!!! The greates!!!!!!!!!!
wow.. Let me just say that Artie was Moby Dick in a fishtank!! Unbelievable technique. One who laughed at the impossible. True piano genius.
A genuine enigma. Much like Shawn Lane on guitar.
For me, the only real challenger to Tatum was Oscar Peterson. Phineas Newborne is another worthy successor - its no wonder that his primary influences were Tatum, Powell and Peterson. I'm astounded by Tatum and learn something new, but admittedly probably enjoy listening to Peterson more, especially when working with a group.
Don't feel bad if you can imitatum technique-wise, however the harmonic devices that Tatum pioneered are part of the harmonic landscape of contemporary jazz.
I hear alot of that stuff Corey Henry is doing in this clip.....I like it.....I like how his speed is used almost like a paint brush against those chords....
God kissed this guys hands.
Definitely
@poetictube People who don't know much about music get hung up on speed and technique when there is so much more. Tatum was great and also had great technique. He was not great because he had great technique.
Amazing....from 2:00 to 2:18...OMG !
"Murder With Pictures" (1936) brought me here
Holy crap!! 2:19!! HUGE HANDS
Before Bud walked in there was Art. i love Bud. i can't take anything from him, but Art was born before Bud. He set a high standard. Art was more advanced harmonically than Bud. He wasn't necessarily a faster subdivider than Bud but he played denser harmonies and more altered harmonies than Bud. Bud played simple two voice shells usually in his left hand. He did write UnPoco Loco and some surrielistic Salvator Dali kinds of abstractions musically but Art did more with tempo changes too.
Its not possible for a normal pianist to move his fingers on a Table in the same way , only the move is not from this planet man :-).
Am I the only person who heard nothing but a beautiful song?
It gets annoying when every single Art Tatum video devolves into stupid arguments over who played faster than who.
Art Tatum was also very lyrical player, who could evoke strong, deep emotion. Do people forget this ??????
As a student you should learn a tune and then listen to what the masters do with it. Listen to guys like Tatum and figure out what he's playing how he is improvising on the changes and how he is modifying the changes. Ultimately it's more important to listen to yourself and your own inspiration, than trying to imitate anyone or play any licks or chops.
If Rachmaninov learned to play jazz this is what I imagine it would sound like.
@Blackkx -He also cried. Didn't turn out to be a to distant a second either.
@poetictube Art does not always play fast either. A good piano player does not always play fast because thats not what the piano is all about.You can play fast and still sound like crap.When art tatum played fast, it actually sounded like something.
Art Tatum was .....The...... "Stevie Ray Vaughan"...... of PIANO
Does anyone know the history of this song? When was it originally published/recorded?
Is the filled with magic or what? Listen to 2:05 through 2:20..!
@fromanDg Well said!
Art is lke Jesus. between god and legend
anybody know wat album this is on??
@16yearoldwhiteboy
I see you in every Tatum video, 16 year old, white boy.
I have never seen so long fingers. He could like to have long nails too, which he used to All his tenth and runs...
@SunsetSix WE are blind !!! ;-)
JAJAJAAJJAJAJA claro mira este, no te jode JAJAJAJAJAJ
I can write for you any sheet music
lol epic pwnage.
2:43 who didn't gasp?
guys like Tatum..HA you wish!
Jesus is real
jesus is real
@jihadsoup That's because you have no ear. Sad for you.