Erroll Garner – Dreamstreet

Two of pianist Erroll Garner's albums for his Octave label have been reissued on full on this single CD from Telarc. Backed by bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Kelly Martin, Garner is heard stretching out in the studios and playing in concert at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Among the most consistent of jazzmen, Garner typically romps through a variety of standards plus his own "Misty," "Dreamstreet," "Mambo Gotham" and a medley of songs from the play Oklahoma. Other highlights of the spirited set include "Just One of Those Things," "Blue Lou," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Mack the Knife."

Erroll Louis Garner (1921-1977) was one of the greatest and most popular pianists in jazz history. At three years of age, being the youngest of six very musical siblings, he was able to play everything by ear, that the family's piano teacher presented to him. Reading sheet music, on the other hand, was of no interest to Garner, who had a phenomenal musical memory. When asked about this, he once said: "You can't hear me reading."

On January 17, 1959, jazz immortal Erroll Garner took the stage of Boston’s Symphony Hall for a historic performance to a sold-out crowd. Recorded 11 months prior to the Dreamstreet sessions, which heralded Garner’s return after a lengthy battle for control over his catalog, Symphony Hall Concert is a previously unreleased compilation capturing the unparalleled genius of Garner’s live performances at the beginning of one of the most defining years of his life.