It’s so hard to narrow down to just 10 great jazz pianists that you should check out, but for what it’s worth, here’s my list. Listening to great players is not only enjoyable, but will also help shape you as a player, give you musical ideas and expand your musical vocabulary. Let’s get straight into it!
10. Oscar Peterson.
Oscar Peterson was one of the first jazz piano players that I was introduced to and I was instantly blown away. His virtuosity and fierce ability to swing like almost no other means he had to make this list. One of only a few pianists IMHO that can play so many notes without it sounding like he is overplaying. In my early years of learning to play jazz piano, Oscar was a big influence on me.
Art Tatum – one of the all time great jazz pianists
9. Art Tatum.
Possibly the most virtuosic player of all time, Art Tatum made a huge contribution to the jazz world and in fact was a huge influence on Oscar Peterson. More traditional in style but worth checking out at some stage.
8. Chick Corea.
An amazing jazz pianist, Chick Corea is one of the many pianists who played with Miles Davis and then became famous. Chick has crossed over a number of genres such as jazz funk, completely free form, latin and classical. He also has some super fun duets recorded with Herbie Hancock (another great player) and Gary Burton (a wonderful vibes player). No matter what you are into, you will find something that Chick Corea has played that you will love and maybe even something you won’t be too fond of. My favourite is his own composition that has became a jazz standard, ‘Spain’.
7. Brad Mehldau.
One of my favourite contemporary players today that has inspired me in many ways. I love the way he almost plays in a baroque kind of way from time to time, improvising simultaneously in both hands. Brad’s left hand is often playing the melody and it’s not uncommon for him to start a phrase in one hand and finish it with the other. A creative and beautiful pianist. For all this, Brad makes my list of 10 great jazz pianists to listen to. Here’s a link to his page
6. J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven.
I know not technically jazz pianists but hear me out. These guys were improvising musicians! Because we have immortalised their works we want to play their pieces just right.But I think that means we have forgotten that these guys loved to improvise. In trying to be faithful to what they were doing, we may have lost some of the spirit that these compositions were born from. I find it fascinating that Bach could improvise the kind of pieces that we practice hour upon hour to be able to play. Out of these 3 keyboardists, Bach is my absolute favourite. I love to play his compositions and upon analysing, you will find a stack of 2-5-1’s. It would be so great to have some recordings of Bach improvising at his harpsichord.
5. Bill Evans
Such a beautiful player and another that found fame with Miles Davis. The chords he used in ‘so what’ on Miles’ breakthrough album, ‘Kind of Blue’ have forever been known as the ‘so what chords’. When listening to Bill Evans it’s evident that he was influenced by the impressionists like Debussy (so good) and Ravel. Here’s a quick listen to ‘So What’.
4. Thelonius Monk.
What Thelonius lacked in technique he made up for in creativity. Infact, what some would say was a lack of technique may have helped him (and us) push the boundaries of jazz harmony and see a bunch of interesting melodies birthed. His approach to harmony and rhythm at the time was so unconventional that he makes my list of the 10 greatest jazz pianists
3. Bud Powell
Bud Powell has to make any list of great jazz pianists as he represents the bebop players. When Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker first started to straighten out the eight notes (quavers) and play ridiculously fast Bud Powell thought he would join them, even sometimes on his own. When playing solo piano, Bud Powell would often play 1 & 7 or 1 & 10 in his left hand to give us the bass but a little bit of harmony too as his right hand flashed all over the keyboard.
2. Herbie Hancock
Just a monster in any style and the essence of a great jazz pianist. Herbie is continuing to make advancements in jazz fusing many a genre together over an astonishing fruitful career of 50 years. Some of his pieces have become standards, such as ‘Watermelon Man’, for any young musician to learn. He has played solo, within famous groups, with orchestras and is a must for any beginning jazz pianist to check out and learn from.
1. Keith Jarrett
Keith Jarrett has had the biggest influence on me as a pianist and for that reason I’ve given him the number one spot. A virtuoso, Jarrett can play jazz and classical and has consistently been one of the most creative musicians on the planet for the last 50 years. From his time with Miles to his solo improvised concerts (my favourite the Kohn Concert) to his amazing jazz standards trio, Keith Jarrett has offered us so much over the years. Have a listen, and then re-listen and listen again.
I’ve had my say, who would you say would make your list of 10 great jazz pianists to listen to?