Oscar Peterson,Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans,Errol Garner
89 responses Add your response
My favorites of all time include Earl Hines, Errol Gardner, Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. Art Tatum was probably the Franz Lizst of all jazz pianists, too bad there aren't more and better recordings of him as he is just dazzling and probably the most gifted with his virtuosic speed and on the fly harmonic variations on the melody. Thelonious Monk for a most original style and tempo, no one like him for sure. And Bud Powell, of course. |
I've discovered a few new players since I posted to this thread last year. They include: Esbjörn Svensson - Svensson passed away last June, a week before I was set to see him at the local jazz festival. A real tragedy for a such a young and promising musician. Nik Bärtsch - another ECM label musician who doesn't dazzle with technique but mesmerizes with subtle patterns, amazing groove and stunning dynamics. Geoffrey Keezer - another young (under 40) pianist who's played with tons of people and has a number of releases under his own name. Brad Mehldau - seeing him live changed my perception about what (good) jazz is all about. I prefer his work with his trio to some of his dates with other players. Aaron Parks - a very recent discovery, this guy has an album out titled "Invisible Cinema" that is brilliant. John Taylor - another vote for Mr. Taylor. Some of his music can be quite difficult. I have him on some releases under drummer Peter Erskine's name. Alan Pasqua - ex-Miles keyboardist. He's released a couple of CDs in the past few years - one very beautiful trio release ("My New Old Friend") and one that channels the Miles' days ("The Anti-Social Club). |
I guess we would be totally remiss if Don Shirley did not get a nod here. From jazz to classical this pianist is one of the most gifted. Biography by Al Campbell Pianist, composer, and arranger Don Shirley was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 29, 1927. He began playing piano at age two and seven years later had developed his skills so rapidly, he was studying theory at the prestigious Leningrad Conservatory of Music. Shirley made his concert debut with the Boston Pops in 1945, while the following year the London Philharmonic Orchestra performed one of his first major compositions. In the ensuing years between 1954 and 1968, Shirley performed as a soloist and as a member of several symphonies, including the Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington. Shirley also composed several organ symphonies, a piano concerto, two string quartets, and numerous pieces for piano. His musical language also encompassed tastefully mastered combinations of standards, show tunes, ballads, spirituals, and jazz performed with his own trio. Incredibly, Shirley also found time between performing and recording to obtain a doctorate of Music, Psychology, and Liturgical Arts. Throughout the '50s and '60s, Shirley released numerous albums on the Cadence label. In 1999, Collectables began reissuing several of those albums as two-for-one sets. In a trio or quartet jazz setting he can hold is own with the likes of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Ahamd Jamal, Barry Harris and others. He has not seeked the stardom of so many others and his discography is not that deep. But what there is recorded is spectacular indeed and well worth seeking out. In my opinion two of his best works are Piano Perspectives and Drown In My Own Tears on the Cadence Label in vinyl. |
Robert Glasper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDcjzdrkHDE |
There are some absolutely stunning pianists listed here ( my personal all time favs are Art Tatum then Bill EVans.) I'll just add another name to the mix ( apolpgies if I've missed it in the thread) - Bill Charlap. I don't think he's yet in the absolute upper pantheon but he's already very very good and I'd love to see what he's up to in a few years.As an aside , I caught Brad Mehldau live here in New Zealand a couple of weeks back and thought he was stunning. |
There are lots of different kinds of great... can't pick one favorite right now ... been liking Monk and Mal Waldron a lot lately tho'. Here's a few who have real big talent and brilliance, (but maybe not real big notoriety): Paul Plimley Simon Nabatov Sylvie Courvoisier Jean Michel Pilc Achim Kaufmann Myra Melford Misha Mengleberg Francois Bourassa Michael Borstlap Joachim Kuhn Vijay Iyer Sakoto Fuji Horace Tapscott |
While most of the pianist already chosen could qualify as my favorite, I'm suprised no one picked Bobby Timmons or Sonny Clark. In case you've forgotten how they sound I've included a few links. Bobby Timmons worked with Blakey and the Messengers, he also wrote "Dat Dere" and "Moanin". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gykp4f0Ac8c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLD3k7cE2ME Sonny Clark wrote "Sonny's Crib" and his version of "Speak Low" is my favorite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngSRvyY7IPc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmFaZfRZQE |
Bobby Timmons, Horace Silver, Sonny Clark, and many others; depending on my mood at that moment, which changes constantly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLD3k7cE2ME http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmFaZfRZQE |
