Throughout his life, Erroll Garner (1921-1977) was an extraordinary phenomenon. He started playing the piano at three years old; some of his older siblings took formal lessons in the instrument, but whenever he heard them play something, he would immediately play it back by ear without learning how to read music. This intuitive rather than intellectual approach to what has become one of the most important styles in the history of this originally African-American music also characterized his later highly virtuosic piano playing as a jazz pianist who defined the style.
He could use both hands independently of each other, which allowed him to set powerful chords in his right hand against deep bass notes in his left hand often polyrhythmically opposed to each other with contrapuntal depth. While famous for improvising casually swinging and rhapsodically expanded solos simultaneously, all over Europe Garner laughed through entire performances because everything seemed easy even when technically demanding.
The French Swiss filmmaker Georges Gachot spent many years researching this legend of jazz piano and made a fascinating documentary about him called “Misty The Erroll Garner Story”. Among other places, Gachot dug into US television archives where he found hitherto unknown film footage off these pianists: If you see these clips and watch him rush across the keys laughing into camera lenses giving interviews with left hand stuck trouser pocket friendly looking one should get some idea about charisma of man who measures only 1.57 meters.
Erroll Garner kept his private life hidden from public view; but Gachot has been able to talk with pianist’s partner and daughter who paint a very diverse picture about international successfulness musician achieved throughout world during lifetime. The filmmaker also managed to bring many companions on screen including recordings long-time manager Martha Glaser played by herself talking not only about making her client into best-selling jazz star hour time, but also ensuring his legal battle against Columbia Records for rights as well ensuring that during 1950s ’60s concerts through American states subject segregation. On May 5th, “Misty The Erroll Garner Story” will have its world premiere at DOK. Fest Munich in the Deutsches Theater.
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