Art Tatum
Innovative and trailblazing, Art Tatum's piano playing has inspired a new
generation of jazz musicians, most of whom struggle to get anywhere near his
brilliance. His father was a guitarist and his mother a pianist and Tatum (who
was nearly blind) was a child prodigy, playing at his father's church before
going on to study music at Columbus School for the Blind - though his love of
jazz was initially discouraged. He got a spot on a Toledo radio station, but his
reputation was made accompanying the singer Jon Hendricks at various clubs,
leading to guest appearances with the likes ...
