In Too Marvelous for Words James Lester provides the first full-length biography of the greatest virtuoso performer in the history of jazz. Before this volume, little was known about Tatum even among jazz afficionados. Now, Lester creates a memorable portrait of this unique (and virtually blind) musician and of the vibrant jazz world of the 1930s and1940s, capturing the complexity and vitality of this remarkable performer. Lester conducted almost one hundred interviews for this fascinating volume, with surviving family, childhood friends, schoolteachers, and the famous jazz musicians who played with Tatum or knew him. He also provides a thorough, knowledgeable discussion of Tatum's music, from his early influences, such as stride pianist Fats Waller, to his mature style in which Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Waller, and Earl Hines all become grist for his harmonic mill.

From unexceptional origins in Toledo, Ohio, Art Tatum evolved into a world-class musician whose importance in jazz is comparable to Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker and whose command of the piano captured the imagination of Horowitz and Paderewski. Too Marvelous for Words is the first full portrait of this extraordinary musical genius.

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