Dr Billy Taylor narrated an incident when he and Art Tatum after a concert went to hang at a club.
A young pianist was playing.
When he noticed that Art Tatum was in the house he came over.
‘Mr Tatum what an honour to meet. You have been my inspiration and I would like to play your composition ‘Elegie’.
Art did not even listen to him play ‘Elegie’ – prompting Billy Taylor to say:
‘Art he is playing your composition’
Art said: ‘He knows what I played but not why I played it.’