Anyone for stride piano?

**bassybill** · #1 03-11-2009, 01:51 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFHyr...eature=related

I'm a bit amazed. Waddya think?

Ben Lesser · #2 03-11-2009, 02:59 PM

Funny how someone can play something so fast and busy on piano and have it sound good, but if a bassist or guitarist were to attempt the same thing, it would sound bad, and/or be roasted for being 'wankery.'

Interesting. I definitely dig it.

**embellisher** · #3 03-11-2009, 04:36 PM

Great technique! Decent piece of music too.

fdeck · #4 03-11-2009, 06:38 PM

The master, from 1933:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaPeks0H3_s

A wonderful rendition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZJDp...eature=related

Note when this guy has to slow down it's because of the left hand part.

**bassybill** · #5 03-11-2009, 08:19 PM

Terrific playing! Almost unbelievable. Thanks for that.

But where's that stride groove gone? I love the technical dexterity. But I also still like the playing that puts a dumb grin on my face.

Jefenator · #6 03-11-2009, 08:31 PM

My computer plays back the audio OK but only reloads the video frames maybe 2 or 3 times a second. That does absolutely no justice to what the left hand is doing - all I get is assorted blurs.

This sure is a lost art. There's lots of able Jazz pianists around here but only one guy who even begins to cover this style.

fdeck · #7 03-11-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Terrific playing! Almost unbelievable. Thanks for that.

But where's that stride groove gone? I love the technical dexterity. But I also still like the playing that puts a dumb grin on my face.

Well, I chose that tune because it was his masterpiece of dexterity, as far as what he recorded. Nobody could touch him. But his work at slower tempos certainly does justice to Harlem stride.

**bassybill** · #8 03-11-2009, 08:59 PM

^^^ Yep, exactly - that's what I was referring to.

In a slightly different style, I can remember hearing Art Tatum years and years ago when my Dad had a recording of him with Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich. What a trio that was.