Pianist legend Erroll Garner's Paris recordings from 1948 are treasures by a pianist with immense class and joyful playing. His romantically leaning style extends to expressions with a witty sense of humor, experimental key-changing treatment of Broadway songs, and considerable direction as a contrasting composer featuring odd melodic and harmonic solutions while staying firm with the traditional stride. One year before this recording, Garner performed on Charlie Parker's famous Cool Blues recording, a Bebop context which many would have considered a point to adhere to the "rules" of Bebop. Garner, however, prints his usual sound on that celebrated 1947 recording, complementing Parker's sound with a unique integrity by staying true to his direction. Later in life, Garner often preferred to play with a trio, but whether in a solo or a trio setting, his style always remained the same; a reliable, entertaining, artistic and warm piano sound. 　　 　　"A recording like Early in Paris offers rare insight into the development of a brilliant player for whom music seemed like second nature. But fans in search of insight will find much to love and a few curiosities. Over the course of the 13-song set, the young Garner shows a rich vocabulary drawing on heavy swinging stride, along with hints of bebop and touches of classical. Considering that the recordings originally aired live on radio, the sound quality is superb. The experience of listening to them is nostalgic, tinged with sweet smoke rings from a black and white Paris captured on the cover." 　　 -Warren Allen, All About Jazz