Great Jazz Pianists

[OLDUDE]

From early times in my Jazz listening career when I first listened to Hank Jones playing on Jazz Studio 1 I never tire of hearing him.
For example - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTO43...yer_detailpage

I would like to hear of a favourite jazz pianist for other Forum members

[White Knight]

McCoy Tyner, Bobby Timmons, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Esbjorn Svensson, Horace Silver, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock {in no particular ranking order, of course, as each one of these geniuses brings his own distinct style and flair to the ivories}. Oh yeah, Sonny Clark, Keith Jarret and Joe Zawinul.

[Corno Dolce]

McCoy Tyner and Keith Jarrett.

[gord]

this is difficult,so many great piano players in jazz. oscar peterson,bill evans,keith jarrett,mel powell,mccoy tyner etc. my favorites change from time to time,right now they are 1 thelonious monk,2dave brubeck 3 duke ellington.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRUWtrgTpcs

[Dorsetmike]

My personal preferences, Mel Powell, Mary Lou Wiliams, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Brubeck, Albert Ammons, Erroll Garner, Jools Holland, Art Tatum, George Shearing, Andre Previn, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, Jessica Williams, John Lewis, Ralph Sutton, Bill McGuffie, Judy Carmichael, not in any particular order. I'm afraid Monk, Jarrett, and Tyner don't do anything for me.

[John Watt]

I'm not going to add any more names, but I'd like to share my experience as an Ontarian.
Of course I was into rock music, what was on the radio and television.
I saw Jimi Hendrix and Deep Purple as a teen, and knew what rock bands I wanted to listen to.

It was jazz pianists that disappointed me, all those albums, all those jazz vocalists.
Classical pianists played up a storm, all kinds of dynamics, if they didn't have percussive rhythm or a beat behind them.
But jazz pianists seemed hesitant, more chordal, tossing in the odd fast riff.
Sure, being an accompianist is one thing, but it wasn't even blues or mournful for me,
even "Gloomy Sunday" or "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday.
Ragtime seemed to get it going, but that was more of a solo art than orchestral.

Oscar Peterson was a great man. Living in Hamilton, half an hour away, his neighbours loved and watched over him.
So would I, if it meant sitting out on the porch, listening to him play.

[stu]

So many piano players. I enjoy the offerings of all the players so far mentioned. I guess it started with Bud Powell for me. As for the rhythmic side of things, Count Basie could swing us into bad health with only a very few well placed notes. Almost a less is better approach. On the busier side, one whom I feel deserves high praise, is Dave McKenna. Dave was a two fisted giant. Solo piano was his thing and he had his own built in rhythm section.
http://wwhttp://www.youtube.com/watc...&v=8ABuUFhp8vM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ABuU...yer_detailpage

[JHC]

It was jazz pianists that disappointed me, all those albums, all those jazz vocalists.
Classical pianists played up a storm, all kinds of dynamics, if they didn't have percussive rhythm or a beat behind them.
But jazz pianists seemed hesitant, more chordal, tossing in the odd fast riff.

That is exactly what a Jazz Piano player does, they ain't no Hewitt or Tureck

Ragtime seemed to get it going, but that was more of a solo art than orchestral.

.

You are right, with the average Ragtime/Dixie or trad band being 7 players it could never be anything else.

[OLDUDE]

This response to my thread is great - we seem to be getting lots of related comments arising

Isnt this what the forum is about?

[gord]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS27PRQMeNM
why did herbie nichols not become famous?

[OLDUDE]

A bit Monkish perhaps?
Red Garland turns up in quite a few of the tracks on my "Early Trane" set of 4 CDs

[OLDUDE]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=8OaUpeAQnoE
How about Red Garland who is featured quite a bit on my new "Early Trane" set

Note that I repeated this because my first version just disappeared but then turned up again afterwards.
Seems to happen to me quite a lot and its very frustrating.

[stu]

Here's a loooooong one! But it is a foot tapper and head nodder! Wynton Kelly with Wes Montgomery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJee-...yer_detailpage

[OLDUDE]

I'm going to add Tadd Dameron to my list

[stu]

Another fine pianoman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ciAfn8QBOKE