Harry Fields, the jazz master, was a contemporary of
George Gershwin and Erroll Garner, and was a protegee of the 'Father of Jazz Piano', Art Tatum. Composing
over 30 songs listed in ASCAP, his albums continue to be available today with orchestra or Trio. In
World War ll, he played in the entertainment division of the Armed Forces. A professor of Jazz Piano Performance with
Trinity College of England he continued a concert and private teaching career until his passing on in his own home studio
on Alta Loma Drive in Hollywood in 1988.
Few pianists can play Tatum arrangements, yet Fields could with ease.
Other influences included beautiful chordal concepts of Erroll Garner (the composer of Misty) and the fun, bluesy stride
piano of Fats Waller (composer of Ain't Misbehavin). He dedicated himself later to inspiring young pianists and
singers with both his playing and concepts in jazz piano that he had distilled over many years. His studio which included
8 nine foot Steinway pianos, was the haunt of many famous stars and recording artists and executives.
What attracted his following was a brilliant virtuoso jazz style which incorporated elements of classical music
and technique such as Rachmaninoff, Tchaichovsky, Chopin, Beethoven...blending with the improvisational styles of Tatum, Waller,
Gershwin, and Garner and others. He rocked and delighted audiences, usually with the help of bass and drums
Although Fields graduated from Juilliard School of Music with a Doctoral
Degree in Performance, he told me more than once that his Juilliard degree got him absolutely nowhere in terms of making money
Humorously, he said that that his 16 song repertoire from Juilliard resulted in his being fired from nightclubs instantly
when as a young pianist he tried to entertain drinkers and guests with his classical repertoire.
Later, after Juilliard,
he began to succeed with his Trio and new repertoire of Jazz and songs from the 30's thru modern day. Harry notably played
at Sneeky Pete's on Sunset Strip for many years with his Trio.
Erroll Garner and he became dear friends. Garner's
light maple piano was found in the recording room of Field's teaching studio.
There is general agreement that Jazz is a subject not easy to teach yet Fields had many brilliant ideas for
connecting with students. He had certain humorous names for left hand stylisms: Rolly-Polly, German Bass,
Rolled Bass, Umpahs, Super Umpahs and Tin Pan Alley. Other examples of harmony in Jazz Piano
included using Open and Closed Harmony, 3-3 chords, 7-7chords, Walking Bass and Chromatic Alterations.
All these forms required great technique and practice. Another important style he was fond of teaching
was Swing Bass. Sometimes Fields called this Stride Piano. Even in his late years , Fields was
extremely active... either running from room to room teaching 3 students at once, or performing in venues which were the very
best such as Romeo and Juliets Nightclub in Beverly Hills. As a student, I recall one day that he told me that he was
giving a concert for the Governor of Rhode Island. I thought it was a small private party. Turns out it was a concert
for a thousand in a major concert hall. As a teacher, Fields gave me experience by letting me play for the crowd during his
break time. He did this many times, preparing me to play in nightclubs and the stage. He even invited me to perform
at private partys..this is the kind of teacher he was. Afterward he would take us for a midnight snack. As a young
musician it was very exciting to watch Fields shake the rafters with his exciting, always different improvisation and rhythms,
together as a Trio.
Harry was not only an academic. He would counsel, advise and give inspiration and
strength. Once after coming home from a cruise ship gig, I told Harry the problems I had faced on board. He proceeded
to tell me that "we had to work on that (your) personality a bit". And proceeded to educate in the successful
dealing with management and staff of our venues and places to play. This might include picking a favorite drink from his bar.
Although Harry never advocated playing in bars because the "quality of your playing takes a hit", sometimes it was
just necessary to make a living. To that end Harry would pick a drink that we could fake sipping..and it became "our"
drink.
Mine was a 7and 7. He would spend important time creating a niche in the entertainment world for those of us who
wanted this.. he would advise starlets, singers, pianists, and those that knew what a unique position he had for himself in
recording, teaching and concert piano.
One of the last performances that Fields gave was in front of several hundred guests
in the main showroom of Local 47, the Music Union in Los Angeles. Harry received a standing O. Later at our lesson,
he said that he would instruct me in "how to make them stand". That is just the caliber of musician and music
teacher he was.
Harry gave to the charity that has been responsible for so many breakthroughs in
heart treatment:
The American Heart Association. In his office was a large gold plaque from the American
Heart Association and pictures of his concerts sponsoring donations. Harry himself had a triple bypass, and many years
after having one, continued his very active performing and teaching life literally until he passed on while teaching in his
studio.
All of us who knew Harry Fields miss him for the great inspiration and friend that
he was and continues to be in our memory. Thank you Harry!
