Erroll Garner

Early life

Erroll Garner was an American jazz pianist and composer who was widely regarded as one of the most popular jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.

Erroll Garner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 15, 1921 alongside his twin brother, Ernest. They were the youngest of six children.

Erroll’s passion for playing piano started at three. He grew up watching his older siblings learn how to play piano by Miss brown.

As a young music enthusiast, Enroll emulated the teachings of Miss Brown by practicing how to play the piano by himself.

Enroll eventually became a self-taught pianist who played only by his ears and never read music.

Education

Garner attended George Westinghouse High School. A school where most of his fellow pianists attended too.

Career

Garner started playing the piano at the age of 10 after he taught himself. He was talented enough to play by ear and possessed a great musical memory. He was capable of replaying and improvising any song after hearing it only once.

Garner started his professional career in the early 1940s and began playing with various bands and singers, including playing in the shadow of his older brother.

However, he also spent time alone in the studio as a soloist. He gained traction with his 1955 concert album “By the Sea” which was recorded live at a concert in California.

Garner possessed great charisma and was able to communicate with his audience. He had a large repertoire of songs that he could play in any key. He was one of the first jazz musicians to gain artistic and financial control over his work. His contribution to Jazz music cannot be forgotten.

During his career, Garner was managed by Martha Glase as her only client from 1950 till his death.

Personal Life

Garner wasn’t married but he had a daughter, Kim Garner.

He sadly passed away in 1977 at the age of 55.