Art Tatum – The Shout

Art Tatum – The Shout

A dazzling showcase of virtuosity and harmonic imagination, The Shout captures the extraordinary artistry of pianist Art Tatum, widely regarded as one of the most technically advanced musicians in jazz history. Across these recordings, Tatum transforms familiar standards into intricate, lightning-fast explorations of melody, harmony, and rhythmic invention.

From the exuberant swing of “Honeysuckle Rose” and “Tiger Rag” to the lyrical depth of “Sophisticated Lady” and “My Ideal,” each performance reflects Tatum’s unmatched ability to reimagine the piano as a full orchestral voice. His interpretations are marked by cascading runs, reharmonised chord structures, and a sense of spontaneous invention that would influence generations of pianists to come.

The collection also highlights Tatum’s playful engagement with the jazz canon, particularly on tunes like “I Got Rhythm” and “Stompin’ At The Savoy,” where his improvisations push harmonic boundaries while maintaining rhythmic clarity and drive. Even in brief performances, his command of form and texture remains unmistakable.

A notable inclusion is “Viper’s Drag,” featuring Fats Waller, whose stride piano style provides a contrasting but historically connected approach to jazz piano. The set closes with “My Blue Heaven,” performed by the Oscar Peterson Trio, offering a nod to the lineage of pianistic excellence that spans generations.

The Shout stands as both celebration and document - an essential portrait of jazz piano at its most inventive, expressive, and technically astonishing.

Tracklist:

1. Honeysuckle Rose
2. Begin The Beguine
3. This Time It’s Love
4. Tiger Rag
5. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
6. Sophisticated Lady
7. Stompin’ At The Savoy
8. Humoresque
9. Lonesome Graveyard
10. All God’s Children Got Rhythm
11. I Got Rhythm
12. Tea For Two
13. My Ideal
14. The Shout
15. Blues For Art’s Sake
16. Sweet Lorraine
17. I Know That You Know
18. Lulu’s Back In Town
19. Lady Be Good
20. Art’s Blues
21. Viper’s Drag (Fats Waller)
22. My Blue Heaven (Oscar Peterson Trio)