God Is in the House (Art Tatum album)

Jerry Newman was a student and jazz fan in New York City.[1] He used acetate discs to informally record pianist Art Tatum playing in clubs in Harlem in 1940 and 1941.[2][3]

Three of the performances are Tatum playing solo on November 11, 1940.[1] On March 7, 1941, he was recorded with Reuben Harris hitting whiskbrooms against a suitcase.[1][3] On July 26 of the same year, further duets, this time with Chocolate Williams on bass and vocals, were recorded; Tatum also sang on two of the pieces – "Knockin' Myself Out" and "Toledo Blues".[1] "There'll Be Some Changes Made", with Williams and vocalist Ollie Potter, was made the following day.[1] The trio of Tatum, trumpeter Frankie Newton, and bassist Ebenezer Paul was recorded playing "Lady Be Good" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" on September 16.[1]

The title of the album comes from a story involving Tatum and fellow pianist Fats Waller.[2] When Waller was playing in a club one night and saw Tatum walk in, he announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, I play the piano, but God is in the house tonight."[2] The album was released on LP by Onyx Records in 1973,[2] and was produced by Newman and Don Schlitten.[4] HighNote Records issued a CD version in 1998.[2]

Tatum, who died in 1956,[5] was awarded the 1973 Grammy for Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist for his performances on the album.[6] Dan Morgenstern won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes.[6]

Critic Doug Ramsey wrote in 2015: "I'm recommending it now out of concern that some of you may have deprived yourselves of these indispensable snapshots of Tatum's genius."[2] The AllMusic reviewer commented that the recordings had higher audio quality than other Newman releases, and concluded that the album was "Highly recommended."[3]

Side one

1. "Georgia on My Mind"
2. "Beautiful Love"
3. "Laughing at Life"
4. "Sweet Lorraine"
5. "Fine and Dandy"
6. "Begin the Beguine"
7. "Mighty Lak a Rose"
8. "Knockin' Myself Out"

Side two

1. "Toledo Blues"
2. "Body and Soul"
3. "There'll Be Some Changes Made"
4. "Lady Be Good"
5. "Sweet Georgia Brown"

Source:[4]

• Art Tatum – piano, vocals (tracks 1–8, 2–1)
• Reuben Harris – percussion (tracks 1–4, 1–5, 1–6)
• Chocolate Williams – bass (tracks 1–7, 1–8, 2–1, 2–2, 2–3), vocals (tracks 1–7, 1–8, 2–1, 2–2)
• Ollie Potter – vocals (track 2–3)
• Frankie Newton – trumpet (tracks 2–4, 2–5)
• Ebenezer Paul – bass (tracks 2–4, 2–5)