Red Garland, Classic jazz Artist

This week’s Featured Artist was mostly a self-taught musician, who began his musical studies on the alto saxophone and clarinet before turning to the piano. Throughout his musical career he demonstrated a unique style of playing which included the use of harmonic substitutions and his block-chording, which was adopted as standards for many contemporary and bop bands. Meet jazz pianist – Red Garland.

Born in Dallas, Texas, USA

Genre: Jazz.

Born William M. Garland, 13 May 1923, Dallas, Texas, USA, d. 23 April 1984, Dallas, Texas, USA. Garland turned to the piano in his late teens, having earlier studied and played reed instruments. Although initially inspired by mainstream artists, he moved into bebop in the late 40s, accompanying Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro and others while still playing regularly with musicians such as Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster.

In 1955 he joined Miles Davis, remaining a member of the quintet until 1958. For the next 10 years he led his own trio, which recorded extensively, but drifted into obscurity after 1968 when he settled in Texas.

Towards the end of the following decade he returned to the national and international jazz scene. As a soloist Garland was often lyrical if not especially commanding; but he made an important contribution to the powerful rhythm section (with Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones) of one of Davis’ best bands, where his sophisticated technique, use of harmonic substitutions and block-chording set standards for many contemporary and later bop bands.

Biographical information courtesy of: Encyclopedia of Popular Music.