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photo by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress

Art Tatum; c. 1946

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Ambling Towards A New Year

Slow blow in
From the Gulf beyond
Across my view of trees
Comes a rustling dexterity
Fingers combing through the leaves
………………………..as if
Returning from eternity
Art Tatum came tumbling
In a cascading key
Flexing as he could
His singular majesty
With a mild growl to posterity

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photo by Jack Underwood

Terrance Underwood is a retired Rolls-Royce Service Engineer, veteran, College Grad (B.A. History) who has been listening to recorded jazz music since he was 5-6 yrs old. One of his first memories is listening to a 78 version of “Cherokee” by Charlie Barnett.

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Listen to the 1954 recording of Art Tatum playing “It’s the Talk of the Town” [Universal Music Group]

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