Art Tatum (born October 13, 1909 in Toledo, Ohio) is known for his technical virtuosity as a jazz pianist and for his skill in improvisation.
Visually impaired from a young age, Tatum began to learn the piano at age 13. He received some training from the Toledo School of Music, but he was mainly self-taught, learning by listening to recordings. In 1929 to 1930, he had a radio show, and at 19 years old he played with singer John Hendricks at a local jazz club, Toledo’s Waiters and Bellman’s Club. Some popular jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong noticed the young musician there, surprised with Tatum’s skill.
In 1932, Tatum and singer Adelaide Hall travelled to New York City where he made his recording debut. In 1933, he made his first solo recordings which introduced his major talent to the public. “Tea for Two” and “Tiger Rag” are included in these recordings.
Tatum was known for his ability to play rapid lines with both hands and for his harmonic genius, sometimes improvising new chord progressions put in only one or two measures. His rearrangement of standards and pop songs influenced other musicians to do the same. His ideas and reflexes that created his innovations made him musically ahead of his time.
In the 1930s, Tatum played in Cleveland, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and England. In 1939, when saxophonist Charlie Parker moved to New York City, Parker worked as a dishwasher where Tatum played in order to listen to him regularly. In 1943, Tatum founded a trio with guitarist Tiny Grimes and bassist Slam Stewart. Tatum often returned to playing in a trio, with guitarist Everett Barksdale after Grimes left in 1944.
Art Tatum was a significant musician who influenced other jazz pianists such as Oscar Peterson. He greatly affected the music that came after him, shaping generations of musicians.
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