Mathis, Garner Big Hit at SPAC
by Don A. Metivier, The Post-Star, August 8, 1973
Johnny Mathis and pianist Erroll Garner teamed up to present one of the best concerts of the season Monday night at the Saratoga Festival.
A crowd of nearly 4,000 was on hand to hear the pair at Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Mathis opened the program with a pair of songs and then introduced Garner who held forth at the keyboard for an hour.
Sitting on the telephone book that has become his trademark, Garner thrilled not only the audience, but the 28 members of Mathis’ orchestra who sat on stage to listen to his magic.
As he extemporized at the piano, orchestra members kept shaking their heads in disbelief. His chord changes, structural changes within songs, his immediate innovations on familiar themes showed his total maturity as a genius at the piano.
On a stage where some of the best pianists in the world have performed, Garner was right at home. He may have the best left hand seen in this country since Sandy Koufax.
Mathis performed with the orchestra, under the direction of his conductor, Roy M. Rogoson.
He sang a medley of his most famous hits, did an especially fine job on Michel LeGgrand’s “Little Boy Lost,” and also presented his new single release, “Goin’ Home,” written for him by Tommy Bell.
The San Francisco-based singer also presented a song from the poetry of Jacques Brel, as well as a full-dress version of one of his million sellers, “Maria.”
In the audience cheering his performance was band and blues singer Mabel Mercer.
All in all, the best night of popular music so far this summer at SPAC.
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