One of the very first jazz standards I learned was "All of Me", composed by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons in 1931. It's chord changes are user-friendly and I just think the tune swings. Here's my on the spot, improvised rendition.
This is perfect Stride playing. And I mean PERFECT. No hysterical fancy runs stuff à la Art Tatum, butchering the flow of the tune every 5-10 seconds for whatever reason known only to Art himself, no fancy overbusiness à la Oscar P., just the wonderful, feet tapping straight Stride with passing tenths and a great impro on top.
Anyone who says the two greatest pianists of our time butchered notes needs their head examined...yes this is a lovely piece with no airs and graces but I'm dumbfounded
@@ChrisDawsonMusicthis is so beautiful! I loved your arrangement! And your beautiful playing and technique. Is there a music sheet for this? Many thanks
Chris is my cousin and he is the Best Jazz Pianist I have ever heard. I love his music and for many years I have been In several Theatrical Musicals. Music 🎶 makes us Happy and I could never live without it!!! Christopher, thank you for sharing your Amazing Music 🎼 with the World, I love you Cousin. Maryann. 🤗
Ive never been more jealous of bigger hands than at this current moment. THE CONSTANT 10THS ON THE LEFT HAND DRIVES ME INSANE WITH HOW EASY YOU MAKE IT SOUND 😭
Good ears...those are all great players. I've always loved Teddy Wilson's music. He's the main pianist that helped bridge me from ragtime to swing music as a teen (along with Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Nat Cole). As far as my solo playing, I'd also say that Hank Jones has been a huge influence. His 1950's Lp "Have You Met Hank Jones" is one of my all time desert island recordings for sure.
I love how you adjust your glasses at 2:12 and never miss a beat! Very clean and elegant playing - which is difficult to do consistently with stride - reminds me of Dick Hyman's playing. I've got your stride Christmas recording and absolutely love it.
I have enjoyed your You Tube posts for years. I just discovered this one. I once commented of your rendition of Puttin on the Ritz, that you won't see a better more precise left hand than that and then boom! along comes your masterful interpretation of this classic. Your technique is marvelous. Too marvelous for words. Excuse the corny allusion but I couldn't resist!
I play simple pop and ballad music , lately interested and learning jazz, I wish you were my teacher, Your version is so very beautiful, blessed to hear it
I like how you have taken the styles of the jazz greats and kind of incorporated it into your playing. I never could stand art tatums overuse of his runs up and down the keyboard. You do it sparingly and sounds fresh.
I loved it Chris. You are really good at this. I'm crazy about this song. I'm trying to make the move from classical to jazz and it has it's challenges. You have to almost relearn the piano as the styles are night and day. Thanks.
You....are.....THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!! I adore your playing! Could anything be better or classier or more perfect than this ultra-refined and cool stride version of "All of Me"? For this and your equally wonderful stride take on "Putting on the Ritz," I am your fan forever! What I wouldn't give to be able to play the piano like you! All love and best regards to you, and many thanks for your superb music making!
Hey Pamela, Thanks for checking out this clip and the kind words. I'm so glad that you're posting your own music here on YT. It's great to hear you again. You sound wonderful and I look forward to more of your videos. (and don't worry about 10ths...they're overrated :-)
Thank you Chris for being one of my inspirations!. I read somewhere that it toke you years to master those tenths. I can reach them, but I lose grip when the tempo goes higher. Listening and playing like the masters like Earl Hines or Fats helps our ear and way of playing develop. If you could share any tips for playing those tenths that would be great ( if not, that's fine as well) because I'm happy to learn a lot and being inspired so again, many thanks! Eeco.
Started learning "All of me" a week ago. I'm a beginner, so everything is a challenge for me. That's what I get for starting to take piano lessons after 30, but it is so much fun! This video shows what can be done with something I will hopefully be able to play with two hands, soon enough :-) Thanks Chris! Hope you will get to making more videos eventually. I know, life is busy and it is a good thing.
I've been reading a transcription but my god that left hand! I have no troubles with Mapple Leaf Rag, but this? This I can't! This is trully an amazing performance!
Hi Chris, I've made a transcription of your beautiful solo. I'd like to be sure that you are ok with that. Find it by writing "Chris Dawson All of Me Transcription". Thanks for answering. Cedric
astounding. I always missed listening to stride piano (I guess its never too late to train again) and now hearing it with such quality, feeling, new technology is just refreshing. Unfortunately some others love to play super fast but then when they pull out a tune like this they just cannot do it or excuse themselves saying its too old, or that classics aren't played anymore, and its sad because there are so many gems herein. Thanks for bringing happiness and many other emotions to all of us through your music.
Thanks for the comment. I've just kind of trained my left hand over many years, until the point it just started to feel comfortable. It's not as easy for my right hand, as tenths aren't as frequently used.
The two most important things I've done to develop my playing have been to listen closely (in a very concentrated way) to the musicians I want to emulate, then sit down at the piano, close my eyes, and try to play like them. Listen, then Play. Over years, this has served me. Note for note transcriptions of jazz performances have also been valuable, as well as playing in group situations...hopefully with better players then myself so I can learn from them.
While there are so many more wonderful pianists to name, these are some of my very favorites, in rough chronological order: Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, Nat Cole, Hank Jones, Sonny Clark, Bill Evans, Lennie Tristano, Paul Bley, Alan Broadbent and Larry Goldings. How about yourself?
Wonderful. I actually did meet Hank Jones once. Your style is so very clear. I thank you, particularly, for presenting Russian Fantasy, where you finally display one of the great running Fatsisms - those famous descending chord trills at the top of the keyboard. Those have been dogging me since ... well, a long time. I met Teddy too, but much too briefly.
No idea how to start learning this. My fav song, amazing arrangement, crazy technique. How does one resist clicking on the replay button over and over again?!?! :)
Great number, nicely worked out 'arrangement' too! And the piano sound is quite good as an added bonus. I like the balance between your left and right hands. With many Stride pianists the left hand can be a bit overwhelming. With you the right hand really plays to solos.
@mojoman4147 Thanks so much. I'm happy you like my music. You've got a few years on me (that's for sure), and a lot of time to craft your playing. I'm a much different player now than in my early twenties. But I think no matter where we are with our development, we will always feel like there's so much more to improve on and learn...at least that's been my experience. Keep it up and good luck!
It was a 1984 movie called "All Of Me", staring Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin and Victoria Tennant (directed by Carl Reiner). I saw it as a teenager and learned the tune that night. Joe Williams sings. If you type "All of Me ending credits", you'll see it.
I love the way you use almost no sustain and play generally in a nice dry and simple style! I saw your performance of Puttin' On The Ritz and I love it! Some guy actually transcribed the song into sheet music too!
Hi Takuya, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. There are 4 videos (that I know of) here on RU-vid that show this performance transcribed note for note, if you're still interested.
I always find influences kind of comforting and orienting. I'd place that solo (aside from that fact that it is yours) somewhere between Teddy Wilson and Jess Stacy. I think Joey Bushkin would have played it in a similar vain. It's almost as if you've connected one grand scale to play the whole song. Wish I could be so fluid.
Same question, I'd love to have this on sheet music!! Chris, if you play this on an electric piano and hook it up to a computer, you're pretty much set for producing sheet music :)