What did the classical virtuosi think of jazz pianists?

[chopiabin]

I just watched the movie Ray about Ray Charles, and I was wondering, did Horowitz or Rubinstein or any other masters ever comment on jazz musicians? I've heard that Cziffra played some jazz, and I know Brubeck does, but I was just wondering what the non-jazz pianists thought of those little upstart jazz pianists

[hazypurple21]

Horowitz said of Art Tatum: "I can play as fast as him, but I can't keep up with him."

[shasta]

Fats Waller studied piano, composition, and counterpoint under Godowsky.  If I remember correctly, it was Gershwin who hooked those two up (Gershwin was Godowsky's nephew).  They all admired each other greatly.   

[iratehamster]

It's my understanding that Horowitz and Art Tatum were close friends who regularly attended each other's performances.  Another comment by Horowitz on one of Tatum's performances:  "How in the world do you DO that!?"

[chopiabin]

That's awesome!

[da jake]

It's my understanding that Horowitz and Art Tatum were close friends who regularly attended each other's performances.  Another comment by Horowitz on one of Tatum's performances:  "How in the world do you DO that!?"

To which Art Tatum responded: "I just made it up!"   

[stevie]

Tatum? ya cant imitatum!!!!!!

;D;D

yeah, and rach also liked tatum alot(its also quite clear rach also liked jazz to a degree, judging from the influences in some of his later works)

[jeremyjchilds]

Tatum? ya cant imitatum!!!!!!

;D;D

yeah, and rach also liked tatum alot(its also quite clear rach also liked jazz to a degree, judging from the influences in some of his later works)

The O.P. came pretty close...but Tatum sure brought the pain...

[arensky]

Absolutely true! Horowitz was quite a Jazz fan, and could be found many evenings in the 1940's in nightclubs in New York digging Tatum and other cats; his favorite Jazz pianist was Joe Bushkin, who passed away late last year at age 88 

[arensky]

My favorite; Gieseking was in New York in the 1930's and someone took him to hear Tatum; Gieseking was annoyed and indignant, and used the N word when asking why he had been brought to this low class dive(f#$%^&ing Nazi Pr$%^k!! ). When Tatum started to play Gieseking's mouth popped open and he just watched, slack-jawed in amazement and then he took back what he had said, and said "maybe there is something to this Jazz, after all"  Big of him (MMmmm crow, yum yum!!! ) But he was still a F$%^ing Nazi P$%^&k!!!!

[stevie]

haha, well, times have changed...for the better.

[jeremyjchilds]

I think that there is a pretty healthy level of respect between both disciplines.

It's like skiers and snowboards.

You can always tell the lousy or mediocre ones because they will critisize the other sport. I have never heard a professional skier criticise snowboarding, or vice versa.

[mr. folsom]

I think that there is a pretty healthy level of respect between both disciplines.

It's like skiers and snowboards.

You can always tell the lousy or mediocre ones because they will critisize the other sport. I have never heard a professional skier criticise snowboarding, or vice versa.

Yes it's safe to say that true artists recognize true art.

[jeremyjchilds]

Yes it's safe to say that true artists recognize true art.

That's a good way to sum it up, *jots down in list of clever statements*

[presto agitato]

I was wondering, did Horowitz or Rubinstein or any other masters ever comment on jazz musicians?

Horowitz and Rubinstein used to say that Art Tatum was the fastest pianist on earth.

Some people say that Keith Jarrett was the best american pianists of the second half of 20th century...