Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Neil Cowley - Erroll Garner's Concert By The Sea

Pianist Neil Cowley digs into the history and legacy of Erroll Garner's "Concert by The Sea" one of his favourite jazz albums, and the maverick genius of the man behind it.

Erroll Garner’s "Concert by the Sea" is one of the most popular albums in jazz history. And Garner, with his unorthodox, idiosyncratic style, is one of Neil Cowley’s all-time favourite Jazz artists. Technically, he was a total maverick and almost impossible to replicate. Known as "the happiest sounding pianist in jazz" due to his astounding technique, he had the power to draw huge audiences. He stood just 5-foot-2; his trademark accessory was a Manhattan phone book, which he used as a booster seat on piano benches.

Released in 1955, Concert by the Sea sold over a million dollars’ worth of copies in three years, qualifying for Gold record status, and remains one of the biggest-selling jazz records ever.

"Concert by the Sea" is one of Neil Cowley’s favourite recordings. But why? What is it that endears the album to Neil and to so many others? And why, despite its popularity, is Garner’s name rarely mentioned in serious discussions of the jazz piano legacy? And why do so many piano players steer clear of acknowledging him - was it because Garner had committed the sin of ‘crossing over’?

Neil digs deep into the album, gives his thoughts, with examples played at the piano. He tells the story with insightful anecdotes along the way, looking at the album’s legacy and the artists that have acknowledged their debt to Garner and this album.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 12 Nov 2016 09:00
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Music Jazz

More episodes

Previous

Louis Armstrong: Behind the Music

Next

Gregory Porter

See all episodes from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Music Jazz

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Erroll Garner

    Erroll's Theme

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:01

    Erroll Garner

    Red Top

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:06

    Erroll Garner

    It's All Right With Me

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:11

    Erroll Garner

    S'Wonderful

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:15

    Erroll Garner

    I'll Remember April

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:20

    Neil Cowley

    Teach Me Tonight (Live Piano Performance)

  • 00:22

    Erroll Garner

    Teach Me Tonight

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:26

    Erroll Garner

    They Can't Take That Away From Me

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:31

    Erroll Garner

    Mambo Carmel

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:37

    Erroll Garner

    Lullaby Of Birdland

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:43

    Neil Cowley

    Clumsy Couple (Live Piano Performance)

  • 00:46

    Neil Cowley

    Sooz' Blues (Live Piano Performance)

  • 00:48

    Erroll Garner

    The Nearness Of You

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.
  • 00:54

    Erroll Garner

    Laura

    • Concert By The Sea.
    • Columbia Records.

Broadcast

  • Sat 12 Nov 2016 09:00
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Music Jazz

The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Jazz

Get ready to Bop! Go from beginner to winner with our 12 track guide to jazz

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Music Jazz

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Music Jazz

Catch-up with the best in Jazz from across the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½.

50 Greatest Jazz Albums: Playlist

A collection of some of the greatest jazz albums