Dark Horse

Today I'd like to share the story of Art Tatum... Because we should never listen to what anyone says is impossible. Shame on them for not knowing better! Much love, Me

Art Tatum

Have you heard the story of Art Tatum? It’s pretty cool. Art was one of the world’s greatest jazz pianists. Here’s his story:

Art was born partially blind in Toledo, Ohio in 1909. He became completely blind after he was beaten as an adolescent. Yikes.

Art absolutely loved music–especially the piano. His family couldn’t afford a piano or lessons so when he wasn’t at school or working, he’d have someone walk him over to the local saloon where he’d sit at the player piano and follow the keys for hours on end.

It was hard to keep up with the dizzying speed of the keys going up and down, but that’s how he taught himself how to play.

Here’s the cool part: What Art didn’t know (because he didn’t have a teacher telling him it was impossible) was the fact that the manufacturers of player pianos of the 1800’s and early 1900’s used two pianists, not one, to make the rolls of paper music.

Not knowing it was impossible, Art became the first pianist in history to play four hands of music with his two hands. Nice.

Apparently, at one point Art Tatum played with Fats Waller, another jazz legend. Waller told the audience: “I am just a piano player. But tonight, God is in the house.”

Dark Horse The life and times of a meditative horse trainer. I'm a second generation born and raised Alaskan. I've very proud of that, my roots are here. While I want to see as much of the world as I can, I want to raise my children here. I'm a dedicated student of the horse, of life and I love to learn. I try to leave no stone unturned in my life. Nothing is good if taken at just face value there is always more, to people, an animal, a thought, a dream. I'm an intensity junky, I live my life with passion as if every action were my very last, and I love the colors that this passion has brought to me. It's my hope to share this small window of myself with my readers. If you surfed in please make yourself at home and stay a while, if your one of my loved one's who are here, I love you for all you have educated me in to make my life this amazing.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (2) Share on Facebook		2006-03-03 9:23 AM Who says it's impossible? Today I'd like to share the story of Art Tatum... Because we should never listen to what anyone says is impossible. Shame on them for not knowing better! Much love, Me Art Tatum Have you heard the story of Art Tatum? It’s pretty cool. Art was one of the world’s greatest jazz pianists. Here’s his story: Art was born partially blind in Toledo, Ohio in 1909. He became completely blind after he was beaten as an adolescent. Yikes. Art absolutely loved music–especially the piano. His family couldn’t afford a piano or lessons so when he wasn’t at school or working, he’d have someone walk him over to the local saloon where he’d sit at the player piano and follow the keys for hours on end. It was hard to keep up with the dizzying speed of the keys going up and down, but that’s how he taught himself how to play. Here’s the cool part: What Art didn’t know (because he didn’t have a teacher telling him it was impossible) was the fact that the manufacturers of player pianos of the 1800’s and early 1900’s used two pianists, not one, to make the rolls of paper music. Not knowing it was impossible, Art became the first pianist in history to play four hands of music with his two hands. Nice. Apparently, at one point Art Tatum played with Fats Waller, another jazz legend. Waller told the audience: “I am just a piano player. But tonight, God is in the house.” Read/Post Comments (2) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top