Art of jazz piano shines on disc

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Sept. 19, 2003 | 9:22 a.m.

Pianist Art Tatum never truly looked upon his instrument with his own eyes. He never needed to. He saw the keys perfectly well in his mind's eye.

Born blind in one eye and with virtually no vision in the other, the Ohio native nevertheless established himself as a jazz immortal at an early age with amazingly fast fingers and phrasings that were years ahead of their time.

Though the 14 tracks collected on "The Tatum Group Masterpieces Vol. 1" were recorded in the summer of 1954 -- two years before the pianist's death at age 47 -- you'd never guess the album dates back that far listening to it.

Apart from a bit of hiss inherent in recordings of the day, the music sounds remarkably vibrant, a tribute to the timeless quality of Tatum's playing.

Part of an eight-disc series that teams Tatum with such legends as trumpeter Roy Eldridge, saxophonist Ben Webster, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and drummer Buddy Rich, the first installment features alto man Benny Carter and drummer Louis Bellson.

Though Tatum is best remembered for his solo work (an eight-volume "Solo Masterpieces" anthology is also available), he demonstrates an innate ability to complement the styles of his accompanists.

Playing here alongside the soulful sax of Carter, Tatum's piano is subdued yet feisty, fading back a bit during Carter's solos but always remaining central to the overall sound.

The opening track, original composition "Blues in C," shows off just a few of Tatum's many talents.

He begins with a dazzling solo -- his two hands working in masterful unity -- before the piece gets downright bluesy as first Bellson's understated drumming, and then Carter's powerfully emotive tone, join in.

The trio works mostly through a set of standards, including "Undecided," "S'Wonderful," "Makin' Whoopee" and "My Blue Heaven." The creative spark between the three musicians burns brightly throughout, keeping any of the cuts from sounding stale or old-fashioned.

If you're a fan of quality piano jazz, odds are good you've heard Tatum's vast influence on the piano greats who followed: Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner and Bill Evans, to name just a few.

Serious enthusiasts may want to opt for the full "Group Masterpieces" box set, available on six CDs for around $85 (the six-disc "Solo Masterpieces" box retails for about the same price).

Those curious to judge Tatum's immense skills for themselves should consider starting with "Group Masterpieces Vol. 1," an affordable album every bit as listenable as it is historically significant.

Artist: Art Tatum.

Title: "The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 1."

Year of release: 1975 (reissued 1990, Pablo/Fantasy Records)

Tracklisting: "Blues in C," "Undecided," "Under a Blanket of Blue," "Blues in B Flat," "A Foggy Day," "Street of Dreams," "S'Wonderful," "Makin' Whoopee," "Old Fashioned Love," "(I'm Left With the) Blues in My Heart," "My Blue Heaven," "Hands Across the Table," "You're Mine You," "Idaho."