[TPIN] A Story for William Graham

[Reaban, Derek (MCOE)]

William,

 

I thought you would enjoy this story...

 

 

My favorite Art Tatum story involves an encounter between him and the
famous (and famously egocentric) concert pianist Vladimir Horowitz.
Horowitz was much taken with Tatum's dazzling version of "Tea for Two."
He transcribed it and proceeded to learn it by heart. One night at a
party, Horowitz was introduced to Tatum. 

 

"Oh, Mr. Tatum, I'm a huge fan of yours," Horowitz said. "May I play
something for you?"

 

"Of course", Tatum replied.

 

Horowitz sat down and proceeded to perform his transcription of Tatum's
"Tea for Two." It was brilliant. It was flawless. It was note-perfect.

 

"There," Horowitz said proudly when he was done. "Now what did you think
of that?"

 

Tatum laughed. "Not bad, not bad at all," he said. "Now let me play
something for you."

 

At which point the jazz great sat down and proceeded to improvise an
entire new version of Tea for Two, one even more jaw-dropping than the
first, right off the top of his head. Because of course, the version
that Horowitz had so painstakingly copied and learned had also been a
free improvisation.

 

 

Story taken from:

 

http://jazzisfree.groups.vox.com/library/post/6a00c2252585da549d00cd9721
bcf04cd5.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Reaban

Honeywell Aerospace

Reliability & System Safety Engineering

Phoenix, Arizona

Phone: (602) 231-7816

email: derek.reaban at honeywell.com