tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post7412126148039122253..comments2024-03-29T00:34:36.221-07:00Comments on JazzProfiles: Johnny Guarnieri: Master Stride PianistUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-7314209228467430942019-03-31T18:06:37.746-07:002019-03-31T18:06:37.746-07:00I consider myself blessed to have been able to spe...I consider myself blessed to have been able to spend about 3 hours, almost alone, with Johnny, at Hanratty's in New York, c 1982. He was in town for a 6 week residence, and I had recently heard him on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz. Johnny was a revelation. He could play pretty much anything, and even with those small hands, swung his ass off. He seemed to possess an encyclopedic memory. Assuming that there would be other occasions to hear him live, I left Johnny at midnight, to head back to the Bronx, and my medical studies Sadly, my schedule did not allow me time to hear Johnny again, before he died, a few years later. The memories of that one night will remain with me forever, along with the recordings: the 2 LPs ( Stealin' Apples, and the JTP album on which Johhny plays stride versions of Chopin and Paganini, among other masterpieces ) which Johnny signed for me that night, among them. As a stride stylist, he belongs in the same conversation with Fats Waller, and James P. Johnson ( who upon hearing Johnny play for the first time, dubbed him: " number 3 ". Who am I to disagree with James P. ? Mark Borowsky, M.D.Mark Borowsky, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05462588495717967711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-16151882636437532702016-03-23T18:53:47.853-07:002016-03-23T18:53:47.853-07:00Lord knows that Johnny Guarnieri was an amazing ta...Lord knows that Johnny Guarnieri was an amazing talent.If you never heard him play live..you missed a treat. I take exception to one line on this site "he decision to move west was motivated by a combination of events, mainly marital problems and a desire to write for motion pictures." Our family did NOT move because of marital problems. He had people in California who kept telling him he should write for the studios...and except for a meeting with Paramount, it simply didn't come into fruition. Johnny was a solid musician, husband and father. I know...I'm one of his daughters.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10232446374219000980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-30231414195722418702014-03-23T23:45:29.288-07:002014-03-23T23:45:29.288-07:00I heard him play many years at the Tail of the Coc...I heard him play many years at the Tail of the Cock on Ventura Blvd; he would play "Alley Cat" to announce my arrival since he knew i had been hospitalized for a cat bite. He provided years of pleasure with his music. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-44231211005239723072013-07-09T16:57:41.702-07:002013-07-09T16:57:41.702-07:00Thanks Steve! I wish I had some of his music!
Ju...Thanks Steve! I wish I had some of his music!<br /><br />Juddputydwghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11128837909497836901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6853772569125614798.post-72425690993842791172013-07-09T09:43:53.221-07:002013-07-09T09:43:53.221-07:00Another treasure..thanks Steve..Another treasure..thanks Steve..Brunohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17085819219640723183noreply@blogger.com