In the world of music, true prodigies and geniuses come around every so often. One, Art Tatum, may hands down be the greatest piano player of all time. His technical prowess, skills for improvisation, ear for the melody, and shear playing speed make him a marvel to listen and watch.
He was a Jazz pianist who developed a lot of techniques that were adopted by later Jazz Musicians, and is said to have a major influence on the BeeBop era. He played professionally from the early 30′s until his death in 1956.
His greatness is really appreaciated by musicians, and is sometimes misunderstood by non-muscians, but there is no doubt that he is one of the greats. Fats Waller once told his audience, as Tatum walked in to one of his shows, “I just play the piano, but God is in the house tonight”.
