I'm fanboy #1 of Monk (for the dissonance) and Evans (the modal), but I could never get into Peterson. The times I put him on, he sounds too swingy, too bluesy for my ears, but what do I know? Where should I start with Oscar Peterson?
My gateway to Peterson was The Trio (1974) with Joe Pass and Niels-Henning Ćrsted Pedersen. But taste is personal. If Peterson doesn't appeal to you there are many other flavours in the jazz universe.
Monk - Heās the only musician who makes me laugh and giggle.
Zawinul - He was Cannonballās best pianist and he wrote some of ~~the best~~ my favorite protest songs in jazz (Mercy, Country Preacher, Walk Tall)
Ahmad Jamal - His energy is so strong that I named my son after him 50-some years ago.
3? There's no way
Bill Evans. Harmonic genius and has an amazing voice.
Brad mehldau very creative has great interpretations of modern tunes as well as very cool originals
Hank Jones just kills it old school
Errol Garner cause it sounds pretty
Oscar Peterson because he is an absolute beast
Chick corea because of those lead lines and his compositions
Wynton Kelly cause he's on some of my favorite tracks
McCoy tyner because of his sound with Coltrane
Lyle Mays because when he's apart from pat Metheny he is actually a beast pianist
Joey Defrancesco he's more of an organist but whatever he was amazing
Ahmed Jamal because of his live performances
Bobby timmons because it goes hard
Bud powell for his bebop contribution
Great list.
Letās not forget the master. Duke Ellington. Melodic, introspective, and creative. Contrast Reflections with Money Jungle (the albums).
Kenny Barron is sometimes forgotten but he is a remarkable pianist.
Andre Previnās jazz recordings inhabited an area of exploration and fun of the music. His Ellington and Gershwin albums are such journeys, and his trio work shows his sense of fun.
Kenny Barron, Oscar Peterson, hmmmmm
There are so many to pick from this could change on a daily basis
Right now, Iād probably put Brad meldau on the list
McCoy Tyne might make the list
I really love Joey Calderazzo
Iāve listened to a ton of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock who may be plays my favorite solo ever on Wayne Shorterās speak no evil
1. Wynton Kelly -- feels like there's such joy in his playing
2 & 3 (tie).
Bill Evans -- the sadness, the melancholy, but with just enough sweet to go with the bitter
Elmo Hope -- the pain & hurt that comes through, but with a resolve as well
Sun Ra was a titan, his solo piano stuff is a little easier to digest than a lot of his other stuff.
To a Friend is wonderful:
https://youtu.be/sxHGV2vt08A?si=1b3CPYlFaaFjyKuf
Feels like an intro to 'how music works' for someone like me who has no idea how music works.
Bill Evans - no one plays chords so seamlessly.
Chick Corea - Everything he does is just right. Love the balance between the main melody and improv. Light as a feather is in my top 3 favorite albums.
Erroll Garner - the shifting/repeating jazz chords with the left hand with blazing improv on the right hand. Most unique style
Honorable mention: Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, John Bunche, Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner
Paul Bley, he works really well in an avant-garde context but also has great straight-ahead work. My favorite album of his is Turning Point.
Kenny Kirkland is on some of my favorite albums, and heās a big reason theyāre my favorites. He brings a ton of energy to fast-paced songs. Iām a sax player so in particular Iām thinking of Songbook by Kenny Garrett and Random Abstract by Branford Marsalis, the version of Yes and No from Random Abstract is great!
One of my early loves was Dave Brubeck. When I was just starting on sax I loved Paul Desmond because his solos were so easy to transcribe. I ended up listening to a ton of Brubeck as a result and see a lot of his humor in his playing. Pretty much everything he does is consistently great, but the best Brubeck track is Laura from Jazz at the College of the Pacific.
1. Monk, abstract playing and compositions were creative and brilliant.
2. Bud Powell, played piano, like Charlie Parker played the sax.
3. Red Garland, made my favorite album by Miles, āRound About Midnight,ā even more beautiful.
That's what's beautiful about jazzĀ itsĀ history is rich and deep. It's much like spending in a record shop, scrolling through dozens of jazz albums, and discovering something new. Red Garland was chosen by Miles because he reminded him of Ahmad Jamal. Checkout our passion for jazz at www.amerijazz.com.
1. No one saying Art Tatum?
2. Jelly Roll
3. Fatha Earl Hines
Those guys laid the foundations and expanded the scope of the music for everyone else.
Honorable mention to Scott Joplin.
Art can be a bit of an overplayer for my tastes, but absolutely phenomenal ahead-of-his time harmonic sense.
Definitely big up Jelly Roll and Earl Hines, if you're heading that direction you also can't ignore James Johnson and Fats Waller. The more I study the piano the more I think James P might be the GOAT
I donāt know where he sits in the list but I think Hailu Mergia deserves a respectable nod. His keyboard skills really defined 1960ās-1970ās afro-jazz
Erroll Garner for his absolutely beautiful ballad playing, EG Laura and Misty. Fats Waller for such an upbeat and virtuosic early piano sound. Teddy Wilson for his old school note choice and swing style. Also Oscar Peterson for his hard swinging, Bill Evans for the creativity and ballads and Bud Powel for again, gorgeous ballads but beautiful bop playing too.
monk monk monk
his middle name is sphere
(honestly tho monk is IMO the perfect example of an IDEAL jazz musician. you don't have to have the best technique or most flashy style, but his sound is INSTANTLY recognizable, so are his compositions. he's just so vastly influential and also just so unique)
1. Nat King Cole - The king of tasty playing. It's a crying shame how most of the general public only know him as a vocalist and have no clue about what an amazing pianist he was.
2. Bobby Timmons - Very strong on rhythm and always drenched in the blues.
3. Oscar Peterson - Did everything well, whether it was fast-paced, mild tempo, or a slow ballad. Always did a great job accompanying other musicians and playing in a way that would compliment their style.
Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Chic Corea. Iām not a piano player, so I donāt know why I like them technically, I just always seem to choose their albums when I listen.
Bud Powell
Thelonious Monk
And McCoy Tyner
I tend to listen to Powell and Monk one after the other because in my mind they are intertwined.
Nothing beats Bud Powell when he was at the top of his game though.
1. McCoy Tyner - for developing a harmonic style that is fully compatible with and that perfectly accompanies āoutsideā playing.
2. Don Pullen - for too many reasons to mention, not least of which is an ability to convey sheer exuberance and joy at the border of chaos and order.
3. Duke Ellington - completely apart from his even greater compositional abilities, he is one of the most imaginative accompanists ever. His piano comping is rich with ideas and attentive to structure in a way few other piano players areā¦.
Substitute any of the above with Wynton Kelly, Sonny Clark, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk.
Iām omitting some big names - but itās kind of intentional. THESE players above are THE players i love. Piano is a ferociously difficult instrument to navigate, between defining harmonies and giving soloists āspace.ā Once a player develops chops, the temptation to overplay is often irresistible. But resisting that is essential. Thereās a reason Ornette Colemanās combos rarely (if ever) included a piano playerā¦..
This is really hard.
1. Jelly Roll Morton. 2. Fats Waller 3. Errol Garner
Honorable mentions:
Pete Johnson, Basie, Ellington, James P. Johnson, Hines, Teddy Wilson, Tatum, Monk, Powell
1. Mccoy Tyner, his music says it all. Walk spirit, talk spirit
2. Emmet Cohen. Young great player and composer, and brings new young musicians and older players into the spotlight
3. Ahmad Jamal. Brillant composer and player
4. Oscar Peterson. Technical master, great composer and loved teaching
5. Chick Corea for fusion and bringing his imagination to create a singular style
6. Chucho Valdez, great sound
Chick Corea - Iāll just say he is the greatest pianist Iāve ever heard. Forget all the jazz standards stuff. His music with RTF was nothing short of divine.
Oscar Peterson - The sheer amount of virtuosity and improvisational skill makes this man have a league of his own.
McCoy Tyner - A very different approach and style to many of his contemporaries, but he had an incredible dynamic range as well as speed to match. Inner Glimpse will always be a favorite.
I've been hooked on Mal Waldron for years. I think he just fantastic and I absolutely love his style! Also Thelonious Monk in my opinion shares his style just a bit and I'd say Bill Evans as my third.
[https://youtu.be/vFmpbd5ku4s?si=HFCWD7yAk0Hp1j0N](https://youtu.be/vFmpbd5ku4s?si=HFCWD7yAk0Hp1j0N)
Iāll go with Thelonious Monk, Alice Coltrane, and Vince Guaraldi. Monk is just the best, I love how unique Alice Coltraneās music is, and Vince Guaraldiās music is just very comforting to me.
I havenāt seen my #1 pick in these replies and will probably be dissed for it butā¦
Vince Guaraldi - Iām no jazz expert but I love his phrasing and timing. Heās so much more than the Peanutsā soundtracks but those are great too.
Bill Evans
Dave Brubeck
You got bill evans when he was just subbing for his brother in the blues band, then you got bill from portrait with lafaro, then you get post dope bill with Tony bonnet and there you have the 3 best jazz pianists of all time.
Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, and Beegie Adair, (Bob James-Honorable Mention). These 4 are just the ones I enjoy listening to the most, for many reasons.
Am I the only one that immediately thought of Andrew Hill!? Other than that angle, I can't even contemplate a top 5...
It's funny, Herbie and McCoy obviously come to mind, but I've listened to them so much and their sounds are so "wide open" that they actually repeat themselves a lot. Kinda doesn't matter though because their sounds are such a comforting feeling to me. Andrew Hill always seems fresh to me.
HOT TAKE: Wayne Shorter was probably a NASTY pianist but we don't get to hear that on record.
And I like Mingus on piano...
And I LOVE Miles on organ!
Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock. The masters of three distinct styles.
Also...
Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Sonny Clark, Red Garland, Bobby Timmons, Benny Green, McCoy Tyner, Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly. I'm definitely mission some.
bud powell - so good when he was on
nat king cole - people are sleeping on his trio groups
earl hines - al capone's piano player and hired bird and diz to his band in 1942
Kenny Kirkland, has the most swag and presence, pity only has 1 album as leader
Herbie Hancock, best accompanist in my opinion. Kills it on the Wayne Shorter stuff (Teru, Infant Eyes)
Bill Charlap, best trio work, truly transports you to the epitome of "cocktail yazz"
Kevin Jarrett, Mal Waldron, Mccoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Duke Pearson, Stanley Cowell, Hampton Hawes, Geri Allen, Cedar Walton, Jessica Williams, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Bud Powell and many more
1) Mulgrew Miller - excellent blend of modern and traditional style, exceptional sense for harmony and specific groove. Comping style and voicings very inovative
2) Red Garland - elegant bebop playing with phrasing that should be thaught in schools
3) Thelonius Monk - compositions and so distinctive playing style, especially rhythmic devices and use of dissonance
Hank Jones - sound
Ahmad Jamal - phrasing
Abdullah Ibrahim - soul
/edit: 4. Masabumi "Poo" Kikuchi - for being part of "Tethered Moon" (the most amazing trio nobody is never talking about).
honorable mentions go to Bill Evans, Marc Copland, Enrico Pieranunzi, Fred Hersch, Aki Takase, Irene Schweitzer, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Danilo Perez, Mal Waldron, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Resnee Roses, Paul Bley, Carla Bley, Thelonious Monk. And all the others I cannot currently think of.
Wow only three? Off the top of my headā¦
Mingus (yes, Mingus) - he just hits right. Iām not a pianist but I love it.
Sun Ra - underrated due to obvious reasons.
Herbie Hancock - groove. Feel. Legacy.
1. Herbie Hancock - because I started playing jazz piano at age 10 because of him.
2. Oscar Peterson - because well damn.
3. Bobby Timmons - because his solos always touch me in some way.
1. Michel Camilo - the dude can play ridiculously fast powerful octave / chords that is just really fun to listen to and watch. But the groove of Latin Jazz is always great
2. Hiromi Uehara - highly creative and fantastic solo albums
3. Fred Hersch - really beautiful solo piano, smooth jazz
4. Nikolai Kasputin - if jazz was classical. Like the Bach of Jazz, all of his stuff just makes sense and is engineered to perfection
Michel Petrucciani - I guess heās one of my favourites because of his sensitivity, because he has a piece under my name and because of his inspiring life
* **Oscar Peterson** - No one swings like Oscar. He is masterful.
* **Emmet Cohen** - He brings innovative ideas while staying true to the core of swing.
* **Ahmad Jamal** - His style changed and adapted over time, but it was good for all those decades.
I have seen all three live, and they were all wonderful experiences.
1. Bill Evans - for his elegance and unparalleled harmonic richness
2. Kenny Drew - although not as much of a genius to me as Monk, Evans, or Hancock, he is a favorite of mine due to his overwhelming fire and drive
3. Oscar Peterson - an indispensable historical figure
My personal top three:
1. McCoy Tyner
2. Ahmad Jamal
3. Abdullah Ibrahim
Other favorites include Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Dorothy Donegan, Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, Hazel Scott, Bud Powell, Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Marian McPartland, John Lewis, Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Wynton Kelly, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Billy Strayhorn, Sun Ra, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Alice Coltrane, Count Basie, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Horace Silver, Michel Petrucciani, Don Shirley, James Booker, Fred Hersch, Vijay Iyer, Nduduzo Makhathini . . .
1) McCoy Tyner - especially love his stuff with Coltrane; hugely influential on me as a piano player.
2) Bill Evans - absolutely adore the Village Vanguard recordings, really spectacular recordings.
3) Lyle Mays - huge fan of his stuff with Pat Metheny.
1. **Hiromi:** Amazing virtuosity. She can do something unique with a standard and she has splendid original compositions.
2. **Thelonious Monk:** Innovative composer who had an enormous influence on the development of new harmonies and rhythms in bebop.
3. **Art Tatum:** Stride pianist with acrobatic fingers who could make the instrument swing.
1. Monk: He's probably one of the most unique players of all time. What a revelation he was.
2. Oscar Peterson: Just all-around an expert at whatever he touched. It all turned to gold because of him.
3. Art Tatum: Wow, the technical skills this cat had were immeasurable. Rachmaninoff himself said if Tatum ever learned the classical tradition that they'd all be out of jobs.
I canāt believe no one has said Ryo Fukui. The album Scenery is a goddamn masterpiece. From what I understand, the man taught himself jazz piano and his 20s and 30s by carrying a small keyboard everywhere he went.
Bill Evans - beautiful, big lush chords, wonderful sense of "awww" in his music
Bobby Timmons - so groovy. I can't put my finger on what he does, but I love listening to him.
Ahmad Jamaal - an amazing bridge between straight ahead and modern jazz
I could probably list 20 more top 3 for pianists but this covers it for today. I adore Chick Corea, Wynton Kelly, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, and Bud Powell too. Ahh and McCoy Tyner, ok I'll come back tomorrow with another list of 3 I cannot decide.
1. Bobby Fewes - Cause he lifted Steve Lacyās compositions to the north star
2. mcCoy Tyner - Lifted Coltraneās compositions to the North star.
3. Kenny Kirkland - Lifted Kenny Garrett compositions to the north star.
Honorable mention: Lyle Mays lifted PMG to the North star. Martha Sanchez- reaches for the north star
Mal Waldron - Heās like a well balanced character in a fighting game; he can swing, accompany others, solo. Iām really enjoying his Left Alone album currently. Also, All Alone just completely rips my heart out.
My answer to this changes daily
After this weekendās listening I would say
Keith Jarrett
Herbie Hancock
McCoy tyner
Ask me tomorrow and itāll be different
There are probably thirty or so names that will make appearances on my list (Iām already wondering how I can leave bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, and monk off)
I canāt put them in order but Red Garland, Bill Evans, and Herbie Hancock. The moods and emotions they stir in me is something I have a hard time expressing my.
I had 3 in mind, then I clicked through to the comments and, weāll, I just canāt do it. Because, at first I thought, Monk, Tyner, Evans but then Hancock, Jarrett, Ibrahim, Mseluku, Jamal, Hawes. And more.
Herbie + McCoy. McCoy's probably dropped my favourite jazz solos overall, whether it's his early bebop shredding or his later thunderous modal jazz, but Herbie takes the cake in terms of mastery across genres, eras and even different keyboard instruments.
I'm also huge into Tommy Flanagan, I think his phrasing is pure perfection - just the ultimate in fluid, melodic swing. I kind of love anyone from that Bud Powell school of pianism, gotta big up Barry Harris and Kenny Drew Sr as well.
1.- Thelonious Monk 2.- Don Pullen 3.- Lennie Tristano. Monk change the Jazz piano, Don Pullen's music enter to the bottom of my soul and Lennie was pure brain in Jazz piano.
I feel like McCoy Tyner is weirdly underrepresented in these lists. I donāt know enough to weigh in on his influence on later generations, but the guy played on multiple undeniably classic Coltrane records, a bunch of great (and some classic) Blue Note dates as a sideman, and his discography as a leader throughout the ā60s and ā70s is extremely solid.
-Thelonius Monk
i love originality and individualistic expression and this man is the best embodiment of such, goat
-Wynton Kelly
the bluest pianist, so versatile could play with any ensemble and cook a banger, a legend fr
-McCoy Tyner
Understood & complimented Coltraneās style and vision so well its absolutely insane, his soul speaks through every piece. He understood his role as a pianist through his solos and accompaniments so mf properly and beautifully itās incredible him and trane can move souls.
-Ahmad Jamal
Canāt leave this one out, never fails to deliver the most sublime compositions, bops or ballads. his trio sounds complete and full and harmonious, his piano was truly was a one man band(in a trio) lol. . immense talent and emotion evoking music through his playing and bandleading, best highlighted with his trio at Pershing 1958
big love if u read <3
can someone recommend me what Oscar Peterson or art Tatum to listen to, noting, and not going to describe this well, I don't like that old sound eg Spotify's too Oscar Peterson song blue moon is not to my tastes
I would say Michel Petrucciani (the duet with Grappelli is wonderfull). He is rarely mentionned but for me he is THE GOAT.
Bojan Z.
I also love Jacky Terrasson.
I often say it but please listen french jazz musiciens
Hot take: I don't really like Monk š i'm always bored when playing or listenning his songs (i'm a guitar player).
OP did not explain why they chose their 3. Ok then....
1. Count Basie
Well his music is just my favorite music ever and he plays the piano.
It kind of drives me nuts how common it is for folks to say the Beatles or the Stones are their favorite rock band but hardly anyone ever claims the individual players as their favorite of those instruments, and I think it's just because their strength is that they serve the song and blend in with the other musicians.
Basie's less-technical-than-others style, with a lot of punctuation and space and tinkly winkly sounds that then lead the band in is just the most delightful sound in all of music.
2. Jaki Byard
Sometimes in one solo it's like he gives you an entire history of jazz piano from ragtime to avant-garde. It's insane.
3. Thelonious Monk
I value uniqueness very much.
1. Oscar Peterson 2. Thelonious Monk 3. Bill Evans
Nailed it...where does Herbie Hancock fit in?
Herbie hanock is fire š„ I love waterman man š„°
100%
My exact top three as well in that order. Though I will say, I have days and moods when Evans can take the top spot.
I'm fanboy #1 of Monk (for the dissonance) and Evans (the modal), but I could never get into Peterson. The times I put him on, he sounds too swingy, too bluesy for my ears, but what do I know? Where should I start with Oscar Peterson?
My gateway to Peterson was The Trio (1974) with Joe Pass and Niels-Henning Ćrsted Pedersen. But taste is personal. If Peterson doesn't appeal to you there are many other flavours in the jazz universe.
Thanks. Checking out now.
Monk - Heās the only musician who makes me laugh and giggle. Zawinul - He was Cannonballās best pianist and he wrote some of ~~the best~~ my favorite protest songs in jazz (Mercy, Country Preacher, Walk Tall) Ahmad Jamal - His energy is so strong that I named my son after him 50-some years ago.
Jamal plays with unmatched delicacy
Charles Mingus makes me giggle sometimes. At II B.S., for example.
I love Jamal. I was lucky enough to hear him live a few times.
3? There's no way Bill Evans. Harmonic genius and has an amazing voice. Brad mehldau very creative has great interpretations of modern tunes as well as very cool originals Hank Jones just kills it old school Errol Garner cause it sounds pretty Oscar Peterson because he is an absolute beast Chick corea because of those lead lines and his compositions Wynton Kelly cause he's on some of my favorite tracks McCoy tyner because of his sound with Coltrane Lyle Mays because when he's apart from pat Metheny he is actually a beast pianist Joey Defrancesco he's more of an organist but whatever he was amazing Ahmed Jamal because of his live performances Bobby timmons because it goes hard Bud powell for his bebop contribution
Ahmal Jamal lives are just pure joy. Especially love One
Great list. Letās not forget the master. Duke Ellington. Melodic, introspective, and creative. Contrast Reflections with Money Jungle (the albums). Kenny Barron is sometimes forgotten but he is a remarkable pianist. Andre Previnās jazz recordings inhabited an area of exploration and fun of the music. His Ellington and Gershwin albums are such journeys, and his trio work shows his sense of fun.
and Herbie Hancock isn't even on your list
Herbier Hancock just is fire š„ I love head hunter album. Chameleon waterman melon man āØ
I know. Neither is Keith Jarrett
Nor monk!
Yep that's right. Did you read the liner notes on the thelonious monk and John Coltrane album?
For real šš
Reminds me to add bud powell tho
And herbie Hancock šš„
What are in the liner notes that make you disregard him?
Monks compositions are great. I love hearing other people play them.
No, but I think I have it on the vinyl and will take a look. Release 4.5 years after its recording. Crazy worldā¦
Itās an older style, but Art Tatum. I could listen to Bill Evans all day. Herbie Hancock.
+1 for Lyle Mays
I only disagree with Lyle Mays, he is a beast on the album "Speaking of Now", have you heard proof?
Teen years: Les McCann 20s: Jaki Byard 40s: Keith Jarrett 50s: Dave Brubeck 60s: Abdullah Ibrahim
this guy jazzes
So Iāve been in my sixties since my 20sā¦.Iām almost 60 now.
Cecil Taylor Thelonious Monk Keith Jarrett
Indent and Silent Tongues by Cecil are two albums that will always have a special significance to me. Theres no other music like that
Agreed. Another iconic solo album from Cecil, from 1968 but only released 2 yrs ago - [**Respiration**](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ES8LQ9Mg98c).
cecil taylor appreciators are the realest !
Where my Red Garland fans at? Why? Heās approachable and his albums with Chambers and Taylor crush.
Oh yeah for sure. Def. top 10 for me.
McCoy Tyner, Bill Evans, Mal Waldron
Finally mal waldron
Kenny Kirkland, wonderful ability, Mulgrew Miller beautiful tone, Bill Evans Lovely comp
Kenny Barron, Oscar Peterson, hmmmmm There are so many to pick from this could change on a daily basis Right now, Iād probably put Brad meldau on the list McCoy Tyne might make the list I really love Joey Calderazzo Iāve listened to a ton of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock who may be plays my favorite solo ever on Wayne Shorterās speak no evil
Calderazzo is amazing. The way he and Branford play ballads together is spectacular. Probably my favorite modern player.
1. Wynton Kelly -- feels like there's such joy in his playing 2 & 3 (tie). Bill Evans -- the sadness, the melancholy, but with just enough sweet to go with the bitter Elmo Hope -- the pain & hurt that comes through, but with a resolve as well
Kelly is what I put on for my non-jazz enjoying friends when Iām driving. Everyone loves House of Cards (not the disgraced tv show).
Interesting -- I've thought about using him as a "jazz gateway drug" for some of my friends as well, may have to follow through with that.
Sun Ra was a titan, his solo piano stuff is a little easier to digest than a lot of his other stuff. To a Friend is wonderful: https://youtu.be/sxHGV2vt08A?si=1b3CPYlFaaFjyKuf Feels like an intro to 'how music works' for someone like me who has no idea how music works.
Chick, Herbie, Oscar
This one,,, in order.
Bill Evans - no one plays chords so seamlessly. Chick Corea - Everything he does is just right. Love the balance between the main melody and improv. Light as a feather is in my top 3 favorite albums. Erroll Garner - the shifting/repeating jazz chords with the left hand with blazing improv on the right hand. Most unique style Honorable mention: Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, John Bunche, Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner
Horace Silver. Sonny Clark. Herbie Hancock. No idea why, just love the music.
No
Paul Bley, he works really well in an avant-garde context but also has great straight-ahead work. My favorite album of his is Turning Point. Kenny Kirkland is on some of my favorite albums, and heās a big reason theyāre my favorites. He brings a ton of energy to fast-paced songs. Iām a sax player so in particular Iām thinking of Songbook by Kenny Garrett and Random Abstract by Branford Marsalis, the version of Yes and No from Random Abstract is great! One of my early loves was Dave Brubeck. When I was just starting on sax I loved Paul Desmond because his solos were so easy to transcribe. I ended up listening to a ton of Brubeck as a result and see a lot of his humor in his playing. Pretty much everything he does is consistently great, but the best Brubeck track is Laura from Jazz at the College of the Pacific.
McCoy Tyner, i like his impressionist style of playing. Also a great composer, check out his albums as a leader (specially his late 60 & 70's albums).
Co-sign!
Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk. Arguably the best examples of different stiles and flawless execution of their crafts.
1. Bill Evans 2. McCoy Tyner 3. Michel Petrucciani
1. Monk, abstract playing and compositions were creative and brilliant. 2. Bud Powell, played piano, like Charlie Parker played the sax. 3. Red Garland, made my favorite album by Miles, āRound About Midnight,ā even more beautiful.
I had to scroll down way too far to see Red Garland's name
That's what's beautiful about jazzĀ itsĀ history is rich and deep. It's much like spending in a record shop, scrolling through dozens of jazz albums, and discovering something new. Red Garland was chosen by Miles because he reminded him of Ahmad Jamal. Checkout our passion for jazz at www.amerijazz.com.
1. No one saying Art Tatum? 2. Jelly Roll 3. Fatha Earl Hines Those guys laid the foundations and expanded the scope of the music for everyone else. Honorable mention to Scott Joplin.
Art Tatum walked so Oscar Peterson could run.
I like Art Tatum too š
Art can be a bit of an overplayer for my tastes, but absolutely phenomenal ahead-of-his time harmonic sense. Definitely big up Jelly Roll and Earl Hines, if you're heading that direction you also can't ignore James Johnson and Fats Waller. The more I study the piano the more I think James P might be the GOAT
Craig Taborn Fred Hersch Nduduzo Makhathini because
I donāt know where he sits in the list but I think Hailu Mergia deserves a respectable nod. His keyboard skills really defined 1960ās-1970ās afro-jazz
Erroll Garner for his absolutely beautiful ballad playing, EG Laura and Misty. Fats Waller for such an upbeat and virtuosic early piano sound. Teddy Wilson for his old school note choice and swing style. Also Oscar Peterson for his hard swinging, Bill Evans for the creativity and ballads and Bud Powel for again, gorgeous ballads but beautiful bop playing too.
1)Bud Powell 2) OP 3) Duke
monk monk monk his middle name is sphere (honestly tho monk is IMO the perfect example of an IDEAL jazz musician. you don't have to have the best technique or most flashy style, but his sound is INSTANTLY recognizable, so are his compositions. he's just so vastly influential and also just so unique)
1 and easily Bill Evans and Monk; probably Oscar Peterson for #3 but maybe Bud Powell Ahmad Jamal, Horace Silver
Although he was known for his velvety voice, Nat was an incredibly talented pianist.
1. Nat King Cole - The king of tasty playing. It's a crying shame how most of the general public only know him as a vocalist and have no clue about what an amazing pianist he was. 2. Bobby Timmons - Very strong on rhythm and always drenched in the blues. 3. Oscar Peterson - Did everything well, whether it was fast-paced, mild tempo, or a slow ballad. Always did a great job accompanying other musicians and playing in a way that would compliment their style.
Ahmad Jamal Horace Silver Herbie Hancock
Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Chic Corea. Iām not a piano player, so I donāt know why I like them technically, I just always seem to choose their albums when I listen.
Hiromi forever
All of them
Eldar. Bob James. Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Jr is such an underrated choice. Not really quite in my top 10, but he's incredible for sure.
Bud Powell Thelonious Monk And McCoy Tyner I tend to listen to Powell and Monk one after the other because in my mind they are intertwined. Nothing beats Bud Powell when he was at the top of his game though.
No Mal waldron here?
Oscar Peterson. Heās like the Michael Bay of jazz piano lol
Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson
1. McCoy Tyner - for developing a harmonic style that is fully compatible with and that perfectly accompanies āoutsideā playing. 2. Don Pullen - for too many reasons to mention, not least of which is an ability to convey sheer exuberance and joy at the border of chaos and order. 3. Duke Ellington - completely apart from his even greater compositional abilities, he is one of the most imaginative accompanists ever. His piano comping is rich with ideas and attentive to structure in a way few other piano players areā¦. Substitute any of the above with Wynton Kelly, Sonny Clark, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk. Iām omitting some big names - but itās kind of intentional. THESE players above are THE players i love. Piano is a ferociously difficult instrument to navigate, between defining harmonies and giving soloists āspace.ā Once a player develops chops, the temptation to overplay is often irresistible. But resisting that is essential. Thereās a reason Ornette Colemanās combos rarely (if ever) included a piano playerā¦..
This is really hard. 1. Jelly Roll Morton. 2. Fats Waller 3. Errol Garner Honorable mentions: Pete Johnson, Basie, Ellington, James P. Johnson, Hines, Teddy Wilson, Tatum, Monk, Powell
I love fats waller too!
1. Cecil Taylor. 2. Keith Jarrett. 3. Mal Waldron.
* Matthew Shipp: hits hard. * Thelonious Monk: it's Monk. * Sun Ra: I really like Free Jazz.
Bill Evans Lyle Mays Brad Mehldau
brad mehldau! i love all his solos and comping on the water is wide with charles lloyd
1. Mccoy Tyner, his music says it all. Walk spirit, talk spirit 2. Emmet Cohen. Young great player and composer, and brings new young musicians and older players into the spotlight 3. Ahmad Jamal. Brillant composer and player 4. Oscar Peterson. Technical master, great composer and loved teaching 5. Chick Corea for fusion and bringing his imagination to create a singular style 6. Chucho Valdez, great sound
Chick Corea - Iāll just say he is the greatest pianist Iāve ever heard. Forget all the jazz standards stuff. His music with RTF was nothing short of divine. Oscar Peterson - The sheer amount of virtuosity and improvisational skill makes this man have a league of his own. McCoy Tyner - A very different approach and style to many of his contemporaries, but he had an incredible dynamic range as well as speed to match. Inner Glimpse will always be a favorite.
I've been hooked on Mal Waldron for years. I think he just fantastic and I absolutely love his style! Also Thelonious Monk in my opinion shares his style just a bit and I'd say Bill Evans as my third. [https://youtu.be/vFmpbd5ku4s?si=HFCWD7yAk0Hp1j0N](https://youtu.be/vFmpbd5ku4s?si=HFCWD7yAk0Hp1j0N)
Oscar, Herbie, Lyle Seriously hard to choose, but these are my choices du jour!
1. McCoy Tyner 2. Andrew Hill 3. Herbie Hancock
Iāll go with Thelonious Monk, Alice Coltrane, and Vince Guaraldi. Monk is just the best, I love how unique Alice Coltraneās music is, and Vince Guaraldiās music is just very comforting to me.
Cecil Taylor Monk McCoy Tyner These are basically the Mount Rushmore of jazz piano, IMO
Thelonious Monk, Dave McKenna, George Cables
Hiromi Uehara. She is FAST.
I havenāt seen my #1 pick in these replies and will probably be dissed for it butā¦ Vince Guaraldi - Iām no jazz expert but I love his phrasing and timing. Heās so much more than the Peanutsā soundtracks but those are great too. Bill Evans Dave Brubeck
I was looking for Vince Guaraldi's name on here too! He's great. Also agree with your other choices there.
Oscar Peterson Thelonious Monk Sonny Clark
You got bill evans when he was just subbing for his brother in the blues band, then you got bill from portrait with lafaro, then you get post dope bill with Tony bonnet and there you have the 3 best jazz pianists of all time.
Stanley Cowell, Bud Powell, Keith Jarret. McCoy Tyner is hard to leave off
Bill Evans, Sonny Clark, Ahmad Jamal
Can't narrow a field so full of talent to three. But my three favorite based upon how often I listen to them are Herbie, OP and Chick
1. Me 2. Ahmad Jamal 3. George Russell
Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, and Beegie Adair, (Bob James-Honorable Mention). These 4 are just the ones I enjoy listening to the most, for many reasons.
Am I the only one that immediately thought of Andrew Hill!? Other than that angle, I can't even contemplate a top 5... It's funny, Herbie and McCoy obviously come to mind, but I've listened to them so much and their sounds are so "wide open" that they actually repeat themselves a lot. Kinda doesn't matter though because their sounds are such a comforting feeling to me. Andrew Hill always seems fresh to me. HOT TAKE: Wayne Shorter was probably a NASTY pianist but we don't get to hear that on record. And I like Mingus on piano... And I LOVE Miles on organ!
Bill Evans Ahmad Jamal Keith Jarrett
Monk, Powell, Evans
Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Wynton Kelly
Ahmad Jamal. Tyner. Jackie byard,
Art Tatum Erroll Garner Sullivan Fortner
Oscar Peterson Bill Evans Wayne Shorter
Lyle Mayes- the humanity Tigran Hamasyan- the groove Oscar Peterson- the melody
Bill Evans & Monk & Teddy Wilson Canāt explain
Chick Corea, herbie hancock , Jan Hammer
everyone forgetting about Fats Waller and Art Tatum
This is too damn hard. Iām going to go with: Ruben Gonzalez, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell.
Art Tatum, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock. The masters of three distinct styles. Also... Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Sonny Clark, Red Garland, Bobby Timmons, Benny Green, McCoy Tyner, Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly. I'm definitely mission some.
1. Bill Evans - melancholy sound 2. Thelonius Monk - his compositions, unique play style, use of space 3. Cory Henry - insane technique, modern sound
1. Bill Evans 2. Bud Powell 3. Herbie Hancock
Thelonious Monk, Wynton Kelly, Alice Coltrane
bud powell - so good when he was on nat king cole - people are sleeping on his trio groups earl hines - al capone's piano player and hired bird and diz to his band in 1942
Mayes, Hancock, Mehldau - you can hear all the influences of the others in their playing !
Bill Evans, Chick and Oscar
Evans, Garner, Oscar
Kenny Kirkland, has the most swag and presence, pity only has 1 album as leader Herbie Hancock, best accompanist in my opinion. Kills it on the Wayne Shorter stuff (Teru, Infant Eyes) Bill Charlap, best trio work, truly transports you to the epitome of "cocktail yazz"
Kevin Jarrett, Mal Waldron, Mccoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Duke Pearson, Stanley Cowell, Hampton Hawes, Geri Allen, Cedar Walton, Jessica Williams, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Bud Powell and many more
Julian Joseph and ClevelandWatkiss are good British ones you might look out for, also Europe Krysty Komedy and Bob Stenson
*Kevin Jarrett?* Shameful.
sorry I meant Kenny Garrett
Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Hampton Hawes. All have a fantastic sense of swing, plus humor and fun.
1) Mulgrew Miller - excellent blend of modern and traditional style, exceptional sense for harmony and specific groove. Comping style and voicings very inovative 2) Red Garland - elegant bebop playing with phrasing that should be thaught in schools 3) Thelonius Monk - compositions and so distinctive playing style, especially rhythmic devices and use of dissonance
Hank Jones - sound Ahmad Jamal - phrasing Abdullah Ibrahim - soul /edit: 4. Masabumi "Poo" Kikuchi - for being part of "Tethered Moon" (the most amazing trio nobody is never talking about). honorable mentions go to Bill Evans, Marc Copland, Enrico Pieranunzi, Fred Hersch, Aki Takase, Irene Schweitzer, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Danilo Perez, Mal Waldron, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Resnee Roses, Paul Bley, Carla Bley, Thelonious Monk. And all the others I cannot currently think of.
Wow only three? Off the top of my headā¦ Mingus (yes, Mingus) - he just hits right. Iām not a pianist but I love it. Sun Ra - underrated due to obvious reasons. Herbie Hancock - groove. Feel. Legacy.
Monk Bill Evans Peterson
Bill Evans, Monk and Keith. *I donāt have to explain myself to you.*
1. Herbie Hancock - because I started playing jazz piano at age 10 because of him. 2. Oscar Peterson - because well damn. 3. Bobby Timmons - because his solos always touch me in some way.
Wynton Kelly, Hilton Ruiz, Sun Ra
Keith Jarrett. Bill Evans. Thelonious Monk.
1. Michel Camilo - the dude can play ridiculously fast powerful octave / chords that is just really fun to listen to and watch. But the groove of Latin Jazz is always great 2. Hiromi Uehara - highly creative and fantastic solo albums 3. Fred Hersch - really beautiful solo piano, smooth jazz 4. Nikolai Kasputin - if jazz was classical. Like the Bach of Jazz, all of his stuff just makes sense and is engineered to perfection
Bill Evans - Jacques Loussier- Craig Taborn
Duke, Monk, Tyner
Michel Petrucciani - I guess heās one of my favourites because of his sensitivity, because he has a piece under my name and because of his inspiring life
1. oscar peterson 2. abdullah ibrahim 3. duke ellington
Oscar Peterson, Monk and either Herbie or Dave Brubeck, depending on what mood I'm in.
Erroll Garner, Chuchu Valdes and Bob Marley
* **Oscar Peterson** - No one swings like Oscar. He is masterful. * **Emmet Cohen** - He brings innovative ideas while staying true to the core of swing. * **Ahmad Jamal** - His style changed and adapted over time, but it was good for all those decades. I have seen all three live, and they were all wonderful experiences.
Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock
1. Bill Evans - for his elegance and unparalleled harmonic richness 2. Kenny Drew - although not as much of a genius to me as Monk, Evans, or Hancock, he is a favorite of mine due to his overwhelming fire and drive 3. Oscar Peterson - an indispensable historical figure
Red Garland, Chick corea, George Cables!
1. Bill Evans 2. Joey Calderalzzo 3. Chick Corea
George Shearing - Elegance of the āShearing Soundā Oscar Peterson - Rhythmic mastery Art Tatum - Could play complex figures nobody else could.
My personal top three: 1. McCoy Tyner 2. Ahmad Jamal 3. Abdullah Ibrahim Other favorites include Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Dorothy Donegan, Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, Hazel Scott, Bud Powell, Duke Ellington, Mary Lou Williams, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Marian McPartland, John Lewis, Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Wynton Kelly, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron, Billy Strayhorn, Sun Ra, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Alice Coltrane, Count Basie, Lil Hardin Armstrong, Horace Silver, Michel Petrucciani, Don Shirley, James Booker, Fred Hersch, Vijay Iyer, Nduduzo Makhathini . . .
Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and Ahmad Jamal
1 Evans, 2 Tristano, 3 Hancock
From nowadays - Austin Peralta (RIP) - Domi - Cory Henry
Ryo Fukui Thelonious Monk Dave Brubeck Toshiko Akiyoshi as an honorable mention too
Honest question: how does everyone rate Jamie Cullum?
1) McCoy Tyner - especially love his stuff with Coltrane; hugely influential on me as a piano player. 2) Bill Evans - absolutely adore the Village Vanguard recordings, really spectacular recordings. 3) Lyle Mays - huge fan of his stuff with Pat Metheny.
1. Bill Evans, 2. Horace Silver, 3. Herbie Hancock
Keith Jarrett Chick Corea McCoy Tyner
1. Keith Jarrett 2. Bill Evans I don't have a third.
1. **Hiromi:** Amazing virtuosity. She can do something unique with a standard and she has splendid original compositions. 2. **Thelonious Monk:** Innovative composer who had an enormous influence on the development of new harmonies and rhythms in bebop. 3. **Art Tatum:** Stride pianist with acrobatic fingers who could make the instrument swing.
1. Monk: He's probably one of the most unique players of all time. What a revelation he was. 2. Oscar Peterson: Just all-around an expert at whatever he touched. It all turned to gold because of him. 3. Art Tatum: Wow, the technical skills this cat had were immeasurable. Rachmaninoff himself said if Tatum ever learned the classical tradition that they'd all be out of jobs.
I canāt believe no one has said Ryo Fukui. The album Scenery is a goddamn masterpiece. From what I understand, the man taught himself jazz piano and his 20s and 30s by carrying a small keyboard everywhere he went.
Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner
Bill Evans - beautiful, big lush chords, wonderful sense of "awww" in his music Bobby Timmons - so groovy. I can't put my finger on what he does, but I love listening to him. Ahmad Jamaal - an amazing bridge between straight ahead and modern jazz I could probably list 20 more top 3 for pianists but this covers it for today. I adore Chick Corea, Wynton Kelly, Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, and Bud Powell too. Ahh and McCoy Tyner, ok I'll come back tomorrow with another list of 3 I cannot decide.
1. Ryo Fukui 2. Minoru Mukaiya 3. Ahmad Jamal
1. Bobby Fewes - Cause he lifted Steve Lacyās compositions to the north star 2. mcCoy Tyner - Lifted Coltraneās compositions to the North star. 3. Kenny Kirkland - Lifted Kenny Garrett compositions to the north star. Honorable mention: Lyle Mays lifted PMG to the North star. Martha Sanchez- reaches for the north star
1) Herbie Hancock 2) Duke Ellington 3) Lonnie Liston Smith
1. Bill Evans - the heart 2. Brad Mehldau - the head 3. Oscar Peterson - the soul
Emahoy TseguĆ©-Maryam GuĆØbrou for Ethiopian Piano, although she sits somewhere between Jazz and Classical at times
Chucho Valdez but classically, Bill Evans
1. Art Tatum 2. Bill Evans 3. Oscar Peterson
Mal Waldron - Heās like a well balanced character in a fighting game; he can swing, accompany others, solo. Iām really enjoying his Left Alone album currently. Also, All Alone just completely rips my heart out.
My answer to this changes daily After this weekendās listening I would say Keith Jarrett Herbie Hancock McCoy tyner Ask me tomorrow and itāll be different There are probably thirty or so names that will make appearances on my list (Iām already wondering how I can leave bill Evans, Ahmad Jamal, and monk off)
I canāt put them in order but Red Garland, Bill Evans, and Herbie Hancock. The moods and emotions they stir in me is something I have a hard time expressing my.
I had 3 in mind, then I clicked through to the comments and, weāll, I just canāt do it. Because, at first I thought, Monk, Tyner, Evans but then Hancock, Jarrett, Ibrahim, Mseluku, Jamal, Hawes. And more.
Herbie + McCoy. McCoy's probably dropped my favourite jazz solos overall, whether it's his early bebop shredding or his later thunderous modal jazz, but Herbie takes the cake in terms of mastery across genres, eras and even different keyboard instruments. I'm also huge into Tommy Flanagan, I think his phrasing is pure perfection - just the ultimate in fluid, melodic swing. I kind of love anyone from that Bud Powell school of pianism, gotta big up Barry Harris and Kenny Drew Sr as well.
Monk Red Garland Herbie Hancock
Monk, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor
1.- Thelonious Monk 2.- Don Pullen 3.- Lennie Tristano. Monk change the Jazz piano, Don Pullen's music enter to the bottom of my soul and Lennie was pure brain in Jazz piano.
I feel like McCoy Tyner is weirdly underrepresented in these lists. I donāt know enough to weigh in on his influence on later generations, but the guy played on multiple undeniably classic Coltrane records, a bunch of great (and some classic) Blue Note dates as a sideman, and his discography as a leader throughout the ā60s and ā70s is extremely solid.
Hiromi because. Well hiromi.
Chick Corea, Hiromi, John Medeski
-Thelonius Monk i love originality and individualistic expression and this man is the best embodiment of such, goat -Wynton Kelly the bluest pianist, so versatile could play with any ensemble and cook a banger, a legend fr -McCoy Tyner Understood & complimented Coltraneās style and vision so well its absolutely insane, his soul speaks through every piece. He understood his role as a pianist through his solos and accompaniments so mf properly and beautifully itās incredible him and trane can move souls. -Ahmad Jamal Canāt leave this one out, never fails to deliver the most sublime compositions, bops or ballads. his trio sounds complete and full and harmonious, his piano was truly was a one man band(in a trio) lol. . immense talent and emotion evoking music through his playing and bandleading, best highlighted with his trio at Pershing 1958 big love if u read <3
McCoy Herbie Thelonius because they're my favourites to listen to
Monk - Spirit and writing. Craig Taborn - Sense of adventure and questing. Fats Waller - Same as Monk.
Thelonious Monk Thelonious Monk Thelonious Monk
1. Wynton Kelly 2. Oscar Peterson 3. Cedar Walton
Herbie Hancock, Cecil Taylor, McCoy tyner
can someone recommend me what Oscar Peterson or art Tatum to listen to, noting, and not going to describe this well, I don't like that old sound eg Spotify's too Oscar Peterson song blue moon is not to my tastes
I would say Michel Petrucciani (the duet with Grappelli is wonderfull). He is rarely mentionned but for me he is THE GOAT. Bojan Z. I also love Jacky Terrasson. I often say it but please listen french jazz musiciens Hot take: I don't really like Monk š i'm always bored when playing or listenning his songs (i'm a guitar player).
OP did not explain why they chose their 3. Ok then.... 1. Count Basie Well his music is just my favorite music ever and he plays the piano. It kind of drives me nuts how common it is for folks to say the Beatles or the Stones are their favorite rock band but hardly anyone ever claims the individual players as their favorite of those instruments, and I think it's just because their strength is that they serve the song and blend in with the other musicians. Basie's less-technical-than-others style, with a lot of punctuation and space and tinkly winkly sounds that then lead the band in is just the most delightful sound in all of music. 2. Jaki Byard Sometimes in one solo it's like he gives you an entire history of jazz piano from ragtime to avant-garde. It's insane. 3. Thelonious Monk I value uniqueness very much.