Song:Our Delight
Album:All Mornin' Long
Pianist William "Red" Garland probably isn't as well known as other jazz pianists but he was an integral figure in the development of 50s bop and his playing style was influential on pianists of the 60s. He was born May 13, 1923 in Dallas. He studied clarinet as a child but switched to piano in 1940. He was a welterweight boxer for a short time which included a fight against Sugar Ray Robinson. Garland moved to New York in the late 40s and met John Coltrane when both worked for Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. He played sessions until he joined the Miles Davis Quintet in 1955 along with Coltrane, Paul Chambers & Philly Joe Jones. Davis was a huge boxing fan and no doubt that attracted him to Garland. He played on Davis' classic Prestige albums including Workin', Steamin', Cookin' & Relaxin' and also played on the classic 'Round About Midnight. This also earned Garland a recording contract with Prestige and he made his debut as a leader in 1956. All Mornin' Long was recorded in 1957 and features John Coltrane on sax, Donald Byrd on trumpet, George Joyner on bass and Art Taylor on drums. Davis fired Garland in 1958 for erratic behaviour. He wasn't showing up for gigs. Garland recorded for Prestige until 1962 and quit the music business and returned to Texas to take care of his sick mother. He returned to recording in the 70s with Galaxy Records and retired again until his death on Apr. 23, 1984 at age 60. Here's a video tribute to Red Garland.
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