In his own words, Erroll discussed his gift, stating, “I always play what I feel. The song “Misty” also became an inspiration for the 1971 movie “Play Misty for Me.”

Because of this song, Erroll Garner was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame 37 years after its release. His vocals are featured in many of his recorded performances.Īlthough his musical ear was his major asset, Garner was also well-known for his compositions. Â His most recognized and celebrated composition was “Misty.” “Misty” was written in 1954. During the majority of his performances, along with sitting on a telephone book, Erroll Garner also was rumored to sing while playing. Although he was an amazing talent, he was quite small in stature therefore, according to some, Garner would often sit on top of a large Manhattan telephone book. From 1944 to 1947, Garner worked with bassist Slam Stewart and Charlie Parker. In 1944, Erroll Garner moved to New York. Little did he know that his life was going to hold even more success. In 1937, his collaboration with saxophonist Leroy Brown became the highlight of Garner’s young career. He was performing on the Allegheny riverboats by age 11. He started appearing on a Pittsburgh radio show. He simply played by ear, not by the page.īeing a piano savant, Erroll Garner began his long career in the spotlight at the age of seven. He was a self-taught musician who never learned to read music. Like many successful composers and musicians, he did not choose to follow traditional teaching methods to learn the piano. By the age of three, Erroll was playing the piano successfully. I went home that night and played and played, and decades later I’m still trying to master his style, and I still have a LONG way to go.īorn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1921, Erroll Louis Garner was destined to be an amazing jazz pianist and composer. I went to see him at a concert in Sacramento when I was 14, and I was astounded that anyone could get that much music out of a piano. One of the most influential pianists in my life was Erroll Garner – affectionately nicknamed “the elf”.

Erroll garner misty