Concert by the Sea (1955)

Recorded live in Carmel, California, in 1955, this is the album that made Erroll Garner a household name, and his joy is infectious. His trademark right hand lags just behind the beat while the left strums chords like a guitar, and bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Denzil Best keep up a playful, steady dialogue. Garner's long, teasing introductions are half the fun.