Red Garland

Modern jazz pianist William McKinley Garland, Jr. – born May 13, 1923 in Dallas, Texas – was better known by his nickname Red Garland. The bebop and hard-bop musician was one of the pioneers in the block chord style of piano playing. Originally studying the clarinet and saxophone, Garland switched to piano in 1941. Within five years, he was touring with trumpeter Hot Lips Page and ended up in New York in 1946, where he stayed to find work. His career picked up steam when he joined the Miles Davis Quintet in 1954. The line-up of the ensemble also included John Coltrane, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones. Garland released A Garland of Red, his first album as a leader, in 1956. This was followed quickly by Red Garland’s Piano, The P.C. Blues, Groovy, and Red Garland Revisited, all of which were recorded with bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor. Garland’s first album with Davis’ quintet was 1957’s ‘Round About Midnight. He continued to play with Davis but was fired in 1958, returning for one last album, Milestones, before forming the Red Garland Trio. Alongside their own albums, Garland’s trio also recorded with Nat Adderley, Ray Baretto, Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Kenny Burrell, and many others. He expanded his own band to a quintet with the addition of John Coltrane and Donald Byrd, releasing three albums in 1957. Garland’s prolific output came to a halt in 1962 when rock music became even more popular and jazz sales declined. He didn’t return to recording until 1971’s The Quota. Garland remained a busy musician up until 1982 when he released his final album Misty Red. Red Garland died on April 23, 1984 of a heart attack.

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