Was Tatum completely blind?

Was Tatum completely blind?

Legally blind and largely self-taught, Tatum memorized entire piano rolls, and absorbed music from the radio and the Victrola. He emerged in the 1930s as a fully formed musician whose improvisational skill quickly became legend. There had never before been anyone like Art Tatum.

Did Art Tatum have perfect pitch?

Art Tatum dreamt of becoming a classical pianist, but such opportunities were closed to African-Americans at the time. Blind since infancy but possessing perfect pitch, this child prodigy was completely self-taught until he received formal music education at age 16.

What did Horowitz say about Art Tatum?

Classical piano legend Vladimir Horowitz, who frequently came to hear Art Tatum play, said that if Tatum had taken up classical piano, he’d have been outstanding in the field**. (Other sources quote Horowitz: “If Art Tatum took up classical music seriously, I’d quit my job the next day.”)

When did Art Tatum become blind?

Arthur Tatum Jr. was born partially blind on October 13, 1909, in Toledo, Ohio. Tatum’s father, Art Sr., a mechanic, and his mother, Mildred Hoskins, were members of the Grace Presbyterian Church. Art Sr.

Who did Art Tatum influence the most?

Few jazz pianists after Tatum failed to incorporate at least one favourite Tatum run or embellishment in their playing. Several jazz pianists—including Bud Powell, Lennie Tristano, and Oscar Peterson—as well as other jazz musicians credited and clearly exhibited Tatum’s influence.

Can Art Tatum see?

First of all, he couldn’t even read notes; he’s blind. Most Jazz pianists improvise on a piece at the time of the performance, and I think this was exactly what Art Tatum did.

What happened to Art Tatum?

Tatum died the following day, at Queen of Angels Medical Center in Los Angeles, from uremia. He was buried at Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, but was moved to the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, California, in 1992 by his second wife, so she could be buried next to him.

How did Art Tatum learn?

Tatum was nearly blind, and learned to play almost entirely on his own by copying piano roll recordings that his mother played, and he did all of this by ear at the age of 3! Many jazz pianists since have tried to emulate his style and techniques with limited success.