Jazz pianist Art Tatum (1909-1956) was born on October 13 in Toledo, Ohio. Tatum was nearly blind and yet was probably the greatest piano virtuoso that jazz has ever seen. Stories about Tatum's talents abound. Perhaps the best known is the night that Tatum walked into a club where Fats Waller was playing. Waller — who never underestimated his own talents — stepped away from the piano bench to make way for Tatum and said, "I only play the piano, but tonight God is in the house."
Jazz critic Leonard Feather called Tatum "the greatest soloist in jazz history, regardless of instrument."
Tatum's dazzling virtuosic runs can be heard on "Over the Rainbow" here:
In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Tatum's album, Art Tatum: The Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 3 (Pablo). (Purchase at Barnes & Noble.)
