Art Tatum

Object Details

Artist

Herman Leonard, 1923 - 2010

Sitter

Art Tatum, 13 Oct 1909 - 5 Nov 1956

Exhibition Label

A legendary jazz pianist, Art Tatum combined brilliant technique with a talent for adventurous improvisation. Blind in one eye and with low vision in the other, Tatum learned to read music with the aid of eyeglasses and braille while studying at the Toledo School of Music. He performed in assorted venues in Toledo before his job as accompanist to a cabaret singer took him to New York City in 1932. Once there, Tatum’s career took a giant leap forward. He quickly established his reputation by playing in the city’s jazz clubs, and within a year he cut his first solo recordings—including a sparkling version of “Tea for Two” (1933). Tatum’s playing evolved stylistically, moving from a bold “stride” piano technique to more nuanced interpretations that often featured breathtaking “runs” along the keyboard. A highly versatile musician, Tatum built a vast, eclectic repertoire that ranged from popular songs to classical favorites.

Verdadera leyenda del piano jazzístico, Art Tatum combinaba una técnica brillante con un gran talento para la improvisación arriesgada. Ciego de un ojo y con muy poca visión en el otro, Tatum aprendió a leer música con ayuda de lentes y el sistema braille cuando estudiaba en la Toledo School of Music. Permaneció en Toledo tocando en diversos locales hasta que en 1932 se fue a la ciudad de New York como acompañante de una cantante de cabaret. Allí su carrera dio un salto enorme. Muy pronto se dio a conocer tocando en los clubes de jazz, y al año ya había hecho sus primeras grabaciones como solista, incluida una chispeante versión de “Tea for Two” (1933). Su estilo interpretativo evolucionó con el tiempo, alejándose de la impetuosa técnica del stride hacía ejecuciones más matizadas, a menudo adornadas con melismas a lo largo del teclado. Músico muy versátil, Tatum desarrolló un repertorio vasto y ecléctico que abarcaba desde canciones populares hasta los clásicos favoritos del género jazzístico.

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

1955 (printed 1998)

Object number

NPG.2014.111.27

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Copyright

© Herman Leonard Photography LLC

Type

Photograph

Medium

Selenium-toned gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 39.9 × 31.5cm (15 11/16 × 12 3/8")

Sheet: 50.4 × 40.6cm (19 13/16 × 16")

Frame: 71.8 × 56.5 × 3.8 cm (28 1/4 × 22 1/4 × 1 1/2")

Place

United States\California\Los Angeles\Los Angeles

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Interior

Costume\Jewelry\Bracelet

Art Tatum: Male

Art Tatum: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Pianist

Art Tatum: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Jazz

Art Tatum: Society and Social Change\Physically disabled\Blind

Portrait

Record ID

npg_NPG.2014.111.27

Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4383fa382-e744-48ef-bd86-17af0d1d8577