The Art Tatum Collection

(Artist Transcriptions). This fabulous songbook features note-for-note transcriptions of pianist supreme Art Tatum's interpretations of 15 jazz standards: After You've Gone * Ain't Misbehavin' * Aunt Hagar's Blues * Blue Skies * Body and Soul * Cocktails for Two * Honeysuckle Rose * How High the Moon * Jitterbug Waltz * The Man I Love * St. Louis Blues * Sweet Lorraine * Tea for Two * Tiger Rag (Hold That Tiger) * Willow Weep for Me.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0793544645
• ISBN13: 9780793544646
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.9" x 12.0"

Customer Reviews

Mostly a positive review.

For the most part these transcriptions of Art Tatum's improvisations/arrangements are done very well. Chords are listed for each corresponding measure so you harmonically can follow what's going on easily enough. It's very fun to follow Art Tatum recordings on the sheet to have a better idea of what he's doing. My only gripe would be that there is no fingering listed in this book and it's just a transcription of the notes. Yes, I do realize by running through Riccardo Scivales' book "The Right Hand According To Art Tatum" solves a lot of these problems, but it would've been nice to have the fingering laid out in this book. It would save a lot of time in figuring out what the legendary Art Tatum was actually doing with his hands. Overall, I would give the transcriptions a 5/5 but due to the lack of fingering I have to give it a 4/5.

Fantastic collection!

I have this book, along with "The Right Hand According to Tatum" and the "Art Tatum Solo Book". Together, the books offer fascinating insights into Tatum's style and ingenuity. I have played piano for 20 years and enjoy challenging myself (probably why Liszt and Rachmaninoff are among my favorite classical composers), but this book just blows me away. It contains 15 transcriptions with some biographical info and a discography. I can only play 7 of them at this time but, in working through this invaluable book, I find myself applying Tatum's techniques and runs in other songs - truly exhilarating and freeing to be able to do that! Studying the Chord symbols and progressions also helped develop a deeper musical understanding. In short - get this book! You won't be disappointed!