Garner’s best-known tune, it was a hit for him, and with lyrics added by Johnny Burke, it went on to be a hit for Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, and others. While continuing to concertize, he began recording extensively for the Savoy, Rex, Signature, and Atlantic labels, leading up to his landmark composition and interpretation of the song “Misty,” recorded in 1954. His popular appeal was immediately apparent. In 1950 at Detroit’s Music Hall, Garner gave his first concert, one of the first jazz artists to do so. He also recorded there under his own name with John Simmons on bass and Alvin Stoller on drums, which included his first big success, “Laura,” in 1945. A two-year sojourn in California brought Garner into the studio with Charlie Parker for Dial records, where he played on the famous Cool Blues session. Later, Garner formed his own trio which recorded for the Mercury and Disc labels. Garner’s first recording session for Savoy Records was with Stewart’s trio.

Garner connected there with well-known bassist Slam Stewart. Garner moved to New York City in the early 1940s where he jammed with such bebop pioneers as Charlie Parker. He had graduated to performing with local bands on riverboats on the Allegheny River by age 11, but continued in the shadow of his older brother until discovered by famed pianist Mary Lou Williams. He made his radio debut on the local station KDKA at the age of seven, performing with a group named the Kan-D-Kids. He never learned to read music, but had an acute ear and an encyclopedic musical memory that served him well. At the age of three, Garner began playing the piano. His father was a trumpet player, his three sisters were musically inclined, and his older brother, Linton, became an accomplished pianist. Garner was born in 1921 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the most popular pianist of his time, and was equally appreciated by other jazz musicians, jazz fans, and music lovers of all kinds. 1921-1977 Erroll Garner was a self-taught pianist of astonishing originality and virtuosic technique who bridged key elements of the swing and bebop eras in a style all his own.

Erroll garner biography