[Dixielandjazz] Art Tatum Still King

[Nickdragos at cs.com]

Jerry,

My admiration for Art Tatum knows no bounds, and I happen to love Bill 
Charlap, too! I think of him as a wonderfully expressive player...clearly a 
well-rounded musician who stamps both new and old compositions with a distinctive 
musical personality...

He also has that rare ability to hold back & not show off each and every 
skill he has in every 32 bars he attempts.....I've also heard in his playing a 
respect for the melody & the original composition....yet, as previously 
mentioned, he imprints his musical ideas freely upon everything I've heard him record 
(he has frequently been on the great SteepleChase label and, if memory serves, 
several contemporary releasaes on Criss Cross Jazz, too).

Not OKOM, but I'd recommend his 2000 release on Blue Note (under the imprint 
of Somethin' Else Records (Index # 7243 5 27291 2 8 ) "Written In The 
Stars"...thoughful intepretations of "In The Still Of The Night", "Blue Skies", "On A 
Slow Boat To China", and "Dream" are included.....in my view, very tasty.....


Regards, Nick Dragos, Sacramento, California
NickDragos at cs.com