Erroll Garner - Ready Take One

2016 CD release.

Erroll Garner was one of the great American Jazz pianists of the 20th century, yet very few know his name or his music. On Ready Take One, listeners are treated to a rare peek behind the studio doors, with revealing conversation between Garner, his quartet, and longtime manager/producer Martha Glaser included between many of the songs. As pianist/producer Geri Allen writes, "a kind of fifth member of the band, Glaser would support Erroll Garner in the moment of the creative act", as evidenced by the title of the album, a direct reference to Glaser's steady refrain of, "Ready, take one". Ready Take One features six never before released original Garner compositions, including the infectious "Wild Music" and beautiful ballad, "Back To You". Recorded during a prolific five-year period beginning in 1967, all 14 songs on Ready Take One are previously unreleased, having only recently been discovered after nearly 50 years.