Erroll Garner

Erroll Garner (born Erroll Louis Garner; June 15, 1921 – January 2, 1977) was a seminal American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader. Entirely self-taught, he developed an influential and highly idiosyncratic keyboard technique defined by steady rhythm-guitar bass strumming in the left hand and a heavily swung, behind-the-beat phrasing in the right. Garner recorded prolifically as a trio leader for labels such as Columbia, Savoy, and Verve, crossing over into global commercial stardom with his iconic 1954 composition Misty and his million-selling live LP, Concert by the Sea. Celebrated for his joyful showmanship, improvisational wit, and orchestral approach to the piano, he is honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.