Who is the best pianist ever?
 

my favourite is Franz Lizst
Who's yours?

I'm not much into piano's nor listen to them, but from what I have heard, I think Elton John is very talented.

Art Tatum (sp?). He was blind and heard Dueling rag time pianos, thinking it was one person, he learned to play that sound as one man. He is usually considered the definitive piano player.

Beethoven. His Moonshine Sonata is incredible.
But Stevie Wonder is quite good, too.

Classical: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Jazz: Thelonius Monk or Bill Evans
Rock: Jerry Lee Lewis or Elton John

I've got to go with monk on this one. but there aren't recordings of most classical composers actually playing their music, so i dont know

May not be the best, but I like Tori Amos and Jamie Cullum.

Tori owns any ivory she touches. Jamie has a good rhythem section and some song writing skill.

Without a doubt, Ray Manzarek.

^ Though I love Ray's sound I don't know that I'd personaly rank him highest for technical proficiency. Those honors got to go to:

• Thelonious Monk
• Sun Ra
• Charlie Mingus

(known primarily for Bass, which he is IMHO the best bassist, he did play some excelent piano stuff)

and who could forget:

• Art Tatum

Yeah they're all jazz musicians. It's hard to choose classical music I listen to that's not by dead guys. You know guys that play their own stuff.