The 20 tunes (72 min.) on this CD have never been previously released. The music was recorded live on TV (Steve Allen 's Tonight Show) and in clubs in New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago, during the year before Tatum died in November, 1956. Tatum plays in trio format except for 3 solo numbers. The repertoire consists of Art Tatum favorites and popular swing jazz standards. Art Tatum was the most exceptional and technically brilliant jazz pianist of all time, the benchmark against which all jazz pianists are measured. The only recorded trio versions by Tatum of "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" are to be found on this CD.
Art Tatum (p), Everett Barksdale (g), Slam Stewart (b), Bill Pemberton (b)
Would You Like To Take A Walk?
Soft Winds
Flying Home
I Cover The Waterfront
Soft Winds
Tenderly
Tea For Two
Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
Body And Soul
Sweet Lorraine
September Song
My Heart Stood Still
Don’t Blame Me
Willow Weep For Me
Flying Home
Moon Song
Just One Of Those Things
Flying Home
Would You Like To Take A Walk?
You Go To My Head