Jazz Pianists

music_phantom13 · 10-23-2009, 10:12 PM

Sorry if there's already a thread like this, I did a few searches and couldn't find one.

Basically, I went to get records today, and picked up Solo Piano by Dave McKenna because I wanted something jazzy and it had a cool cover. Now I can't stop listening to it. I still have yet to venture into the world of jazz heavily, though I really like the sound. What I want are some suggestions of good jazz pianists. Anyone, whether you think I know them or not. Chances are I don't. Doesn't have to be a similar style to him or anything, just no terribly slow and boring smooth jazz stuff please

Thanks in advance!

SATCHMO · 10-23-2009, 10:57 PM

Here are some of my favorites:

music_phantom13 · 10-23-2009, 11:23 PM

Thanks, the only ones that I think I really know are Thelonious Monk, Herbie Han**** if he counts, Duke Ellington, and a bit of Art Tatum's stuff. I've definitely heard of Chick Corea and Charles Mingus but never listened to them. I could be mistaken, but was Charles Mingus also very famous for playing bass? That's what I seem to associate his name with... But again, haven't listened to his music so I wouldn't know. I'll be checking these guys out!

SATCHMO · 10-23-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_phantom13

Thanks, the only ones that I think I really know are Thelonious Monk, Herbie Han**** if he counts, Duke Ellington, and a bit of Art Tatum's stuff. I've definitely heard of Chick Corea and Charles Mingus but never listened to them. I could be mistaken, but was Charles Mingus also very famous for playing bass? That's what I seem to associate his name with... But again, haven't listened to his music so I wouldn't know. I'll be checking these guys out!

Yes Charles Mingus is not very well known for his piano skills, but for his bass playing and arranger/composer skills, which is where I think largely the instrument most prominently came into play for him as it's generally the composers primary resource. Plays Piano is a rare album of him playing solo improvisational piano and, while its not a very well known album of his, it's absolutely gorgeous. To my knowledge its the only album he ever released with him on the instrument.

Antonio · 10-23-2009, 11:45 PM

Mingus was known mainly as a bassist but he's really known more for his compositional prowess than just playing bass, so i can imagine him using other instruments and such

Rickenbacker · 10-24-2009, 06:24 AM

These two Keith Jarrett albums are my source for solo jazz piano. Definitely check them out.

Zarko · 10-24-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATCHMO

Yes Charles Mingus is not very well known for his piano skills, but for his bass playing and arranger/composer skills, which is where I think largely the instrument most prominently came into play for him as it's generally the composers primary resource. Plays Piano is a rare album of him playing solo improvisational piano and, while its not a very well known album of his, it's absolutely gorgeous. To my knowledge its the only album he ever released with him on the instrument.

He also plays piano throughout Oh Yeah (With a healthy dose of vocals) with Watkins on bass. He performs on piano on a few tracks on At Antibes as well as co-pianist on Ah Um for one track. He also has some tracks on Cumbia and Jazz Fusion, initially unreleased, but put on the album as bonus tracks on the albums rerelease.

Engine · 10-25-2009, 12:49 PM

If you want some avant-garde you should try this Cecil Taylor..

It's a live performance in 1962 with Jimmy Lyons on sax and Sonny Murray on drums.

Certif1ed · 10-26-2009, 09:30 AM

All hail Lennie Tristano.

"The New Tristano" is a must-have.

music_phantom13 · 10-27-2009, 05:16 AM

Thanks Engine, I really really liked Cecil Taylor. I couldn't find Trance, but listened to a live recording of Neferti, The Beautiful One Has Come. Absolutely fantastic. Lennie Tristano too was fantastic. And Charles Mingus. I hadn't the slightest idea that he played piano before, but Plays Piano was a really good album. Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I have enough to keep me busy for a bit.

10-23-2009, 10:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
music_phantom13 Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 942	Jazz Pianists Sorry if there's already a thread like this, I did a few searches and couldn't find one. Basically, I went to get records today, and picked up Solo Piano by Dave McKenna because I wanted something jazzy and it had a cool cover. Now I can't stop listening to it. I still have yet to venture into the world of jazz heavily, though I really like the sound. What I want are some suggestions of good jazz pianists. Anyone, whether you think I know them or not. Chances are I don't. Doesn't have to be a similar style to him or anything, just no terribly slow and boring smooth jazz stuff please Thanks in advance!

10-24-2009, 06:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	These two Keith Jarrett albums are my source for solo jazz piano. Definitely check them out. __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed

10-25-2009, 12:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Engine air quote Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: pollen & mold Posts: 3,108	If you want some avant-garde you should try this Cecil Taylor.. It's a live performance in 1962 with Jimmy Lyons on sax and Sonny Murray on drums. __________________ Like an arrow, I was only passing through.

10-23-2009, 10:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	Here are some of my favorites:

10-23-2009, 11:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
music_phantom13 Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 942	Thanks, the only ones that I think I really know are Thelonious Monk, Herbie Han**** if he counts, Duke Ellington, and a bit of Art Tatum's stuff. I've definitely heard of Chick Corea and Charles Mingus but never listened to them. I could be mistaken, but was Charles Mingus also very famous for playing bass? That's what I seem to associate his name with... But again, haven't listened to his music so I wouldn't know. I'll be checking these guys out!

10-26-2009, 09:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Certif1ed Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 194	All hail Lennie Tristano. "The New Tristano" is a must-have.

10-27-2009, 05:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
music_phantom13 Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 942	Thanks Engine, I really really liked Cecil Taylor. I couldn't find Trance, but listened to a live recording of Neferti, The Beautiful One Has Come. Absolutely fantastic. Lennie Tristano too was fantastic. And Charles Mingus. I hadn't the slightest idea that he played piano before, but Plays Piano was a really good album. Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I have enough to keep me busy for a bit.