Art Tatum: Humoresque

Classical recitalists consider Dvo?ák's 3-minute "Humoresque" an ideal encorea short, familiar piece appended to a concert when, by mutual agreement, the artist is coaxed back onstage with tumultuous applause from an audience pretending it can't get enough. Jazzmen, though, don't require such egotistic pretense. Commanding his usual arsenal of taunting trills, rococo runs and aerodynamic arpeggios, Art Tatum sails through "Humoresque" as glibly as an orator debating an orangutan. Fortunately, midway through the piece, he leaves off impressing us and plays some much-needed jazz, humorously para- phrasing "Humoresque" in stride style. It makes us wish he'd started in the middle.