Good Jazz Pianists Now

[John]

I'm a piano student, I've been studying classical piano for 9 years and I recently got interested in jazz.

The four jazz pianists I listen to most are Mccoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock, and I also sometimes listen to Thelonius Monk, Oscar Peterson, and Bud Powell.

Does anyone know of some excellent younger pianists who I should listen to?

[clifton]

There are many excellent younger jazz pianists. You could try Geoff Keezer, Geri Allen, Benny Green, Matthew Shipp, and Uri Caine, for starters.

[GA Russell]

Bill Charlap is well liked.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-7607078-2254455

[kaponja]

Piano is most progressive instrument in jazz music. Every musician may learn something from pianists. For me, there are few most interesting young pianist: Brad Mehldou, Bugge Wesselthoft, Bobo Stenson, Emil Spanie..:)

[drake]

I don't know how young he is but Patrick Curley flat plays. Trio style jazz for the most part sometimes a little contemporary. He seems to use a pretty high powered rythm section ie. PatitucciI, Erskine, D'Amico etc. I have found his music in a couple of places on the net;

www.pmctech.com/3ac
www.1sound.com/3ac

The trio goes by the name 3's A Crowd. I particularly liked their rendition of "Lush Life" and "Rain Waltz" . Let me know what you think if you give them a listen.

drake

[BeBop]

Some good suggestions already made, to which I would add D.D. Jackson.

[xricci]

Jason Moran is a fine young pianist/composer. He has a few CDs on Blue Note and appears on some Greg Osby discs.

[Old Pa]

Patricia Barber!

[Dr. J.]

>There are many excellent younger jazz pianists. You could try Geoff Keezer, Geri Allen, Benny Green, Matthew Shipp, and Uri Caine, for starters.

Geoff Keezer is a monster and unfortunately underrecorded. I second that Benny Green and Bill Charlap (whom someone else mentioned). Would add Eric Reed - unfailingly original and great grooves, and for those with a taste for Brazil, Eliane Elias and Helio Alves. How young is young? Fred Hersch is masterful and brilliant, tho not bluesy enough for some people. I'd add Marc Copland, for his unusual harmonies.

[Metheniac]

I agree with many of the names listed. I would add Mulgrew Miller to the list, although I am not sure how old he is. His two most recent CDs (Wingspan and Sequel) are really cool, as well as his trio albums. Obviously I have a slight bias, but I would add Lyle Mays to the list also. He plays with the Pat Metheny Group and also has solo ventures that are really excellent. My two favorites are "Street Dreams" and "Solo." A not so young but still in her prime is Joanne Bracteen (Brackteen-?). She is a character but very talented and has a unique style. I have seen her live with Nicolas Payton, and it was pretty awesome.

[Dr. J.]

>I agree with many of the names listed. I would add Mulgrew Miller to the list, although I am not sure how old he is.

Older than the "newer" ones (did I mention Jacky Terrasson and Renee Rosnes? Forgot... and Bill Cunliffe, who often plays with the Clayton Brothers, is also excellent. ) If we're skewing a bit older, absolutely Mulgrew. And Kenny Barron. Ahmad Jamal. Eddie Higgins. Jim McNeely. Monty Alexander. Dave McKenna, who's unfortunately stopped playing.

Also forgot another young one - he's 19, I think - Taylor Eigsti, from Texas. A prodigy. His debut CD, Resonance, will be out soon.

> Obviously I have a slight bias, but I would add Lyle Mays to the list also.

Yes, he's very good. So is another Mays - Bill.

>A not so young but still in her prime is Joanne Bracteen (Brackteen-?). She is a character but very talented and has a unique style. I have seen her live with Nicolas Payton, and it was pretty awesome.

Joanne Brackeen is terrific. Had a great solo album on Arkadia a few years ago called "Popsicle Illusion."

I'm sure I'm forgetting other worthies.. Dado Maroni. Did anybody say Chick Corea?

[clifton]

I'm also impressed by Orrin Evans.

[Dr. J.]

Originally posted by clifton

>I'm also impressed by Orrin Evans.

Have not heard of him, Clifton. Do tell.

[PiousBionicus]

I discovered a great pianist in Paris - George Arvanitis - who has played with the likes of Dexter Gordon and lesser know trumpeter Sonny Grey. Another french pianist I saw was Pierre Christophe, if you can find any CDs by him, they are definitely worth listening to.

[greatdane]

If you want to listen to, and get inspired by some really great jazz piano you aught to listen to Monty Alexander. One off my absolute favorites.

[Dr. J.]

Originally posted by greatdane

>If you want to listen to, and get inspired by some really great jazz piano you aught to listen to Monty Alexander. One off my absolute favorites.

Mine too. I was dismayed when he spent so much time with his "roots" (Jamaican) music and neglected his jazz capabilities.
I guess his old friend Ray Brown took him behind the woodshed and convinced him to return (for Brown's last recording, alas). His Montreux Alexander - from 79? - is one of my desert island discs.

[clifton]

Orrin Evans is a young pianist from Philadelphia who has made some very good CD's for Criss Cross in a post-bop style. He really doesn't sound like anyone else.

[Pharaohrock]

Listen to Kenny Kirkland, Marc Cary, Rodney Kendrick and Stephen Scott for RHYTHM....they are the strongest, most interesting players rhythmically you will find.

Brad Mehldau, Eric Reed and Jacky Terrasson for MELODY.....

Kenny Barron and George Cables for ACCOMPANIMENT.....

and Mulgrew Miller and Billy Childs for flat-out TASTE.

~That's my opinion, and I play piano too.

[greatdane]

Originally posted by Dr. J.
Originally posted by greatdane

>If you want to listen to, and get inspired by some really great jazz piano you aught to listen to Monty Alexander. One off my absolute favorites.

Mine too. I was dismayed when he spent so much time with his "roots" (Jamaican) music and neglected his jazz capabilities.
I guess his old friend Ray Brown took him behind the woodshed and convinced him to return (for Brown's last recording, alas). His Montreux Alexander - from 79? - is one of my desert island discs.

I agree the Montreux album is great, I bought it after a live gig with the trio in a small jazz-club in Odense/Denmark in, I belewe in 1980. Monty introduced me to piano-jazz, and who could do it better.

[John]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to listen to these guys.

[Dr. J.]

Originally posted by greatdane

>I agree the Montreux album is great, I bought it after a live gig with the trio in a small jazz-club in Odense/Denmark in, I belewe in 1980. Monty introduced me to piano-jazz, and who could do it better.

Nobody! Lucky you, getting to see them at that time. I saw them at the Iridium a few years ago - about 20 years later - and the magic was still there. A funny thing about that album: Jeff Hamilton told me that, as relative newbies, they were only supposed to play between the big acts. People were getting up to get hot dogs and stuff, but right came back to their seats when Monty started in on Jamal's "Nite Mist Blues." I still consider that track one of the most delightful excursions into blues territory that I've ever heard, and I've heard a few since then...

[PiousBionicus]

Just one more - Barbara Dennerlein. I heard a concert of her piano-bass-drums trio on the radio a while back, she really was fantastic. She does usually play the vibes and not the piano, but it's still good.

[Coypu]

Does anyone know any jazz pianists that have the chops of guys like Glenn Gould? The ones I have heard sofar doesn't even come close but I love piano as an instrument and would like to hear the best ones in jazz so give me some recomendations if possible.

[jimcanoa]

Three years ago I saw Esbjörn Svensson play. I didn't know him, and in fact I haven't listened to him since then. Anyhow, the concert was marvelous he played with an incredible talent, exquisite technique and beatiful songs; the ones he composed and of course some of Monk's standards.

[markvi]

esborn svensson trio (e.s.t.)is one of my favorite new groups. their latest cd, strange place for snow, is excellent. saw them at the toronto jazz fest last summer. great combination of acoustic and electric. oscar peterson is still one of my favorites and my favorite peterson cd is his west side story. if your looking for a pianist with chops, listen to some vintage peterson.

[clifton]

For chops, there's Art Tatum, first and foremost. After that, I recommend Cecil Taylor, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, and vintage McCoy Tyner. Mehldau, too. Do not be fooled into thinking a light touch means lack of chops. Touch is a part of technique, and Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Tommy Flanagan have plenty of it.

[Dr. J.]

Originally posted by Coypu
[B]Does anyone know any jazz pianists that have the chops of guys like Glenn Gould?

Fred Hersch (who does a lot of third-stream "jazzical" music and will be playing solo next week at Carnegie Hall - right after appearing at the Vanguard with his trio - Geoff Keezer, and Benny Green.

Warning: Fred is about as far from Death Jazz as you can get, however.

[jimcanoa]

Tommy Flanagan touch??!?!? Must be kidding!!!!

The only imperfection Giant Steps has is Tommy Flanagan... Have you guys heard to his solo in Giant Steps?? It just doesn't fit!

[andreimatorin]

What about Danilo Perez??? He's playing with Wayne Shorter now...

[Coypu]

Originally posted by Dr. J.
Originally posted by Coypu
[B]Does anyone know any jazz pianists that have the chops of guys like Glenn Gould?

Fred Hersch (who does a lot of third-stream "jazzical" music and will be playing solo next week at Carnegie Hall - right after appearing at the Vanguard with his trio - Geoff Keezer, and Benny Green.

Warning: Fred is about as far from Death Jazz as you can get, however.

Do you know where I can get hold of some mp3's of his work?

[Coypu]

Originally posted by clifton
For chops, there's Art Tatum, first and foremost. After that, I recommend Cecil Taylor, Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, and vintage McCoy Tyner. Mehldau, too. Do not be fooled into thinking a light touch means lack of chops. Touch is a part of technique, and Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Tommy Flanagan have plenty of it.

read my post above

[andreimatorin]

What about Danilo Perez??? He's playing with Wayne Shorter now...

[Dr. B]

Lots of names on this thread with which I would agree, especially Monty Alexander, Bill Charlap, Bill Cunliffe, Benny Green.

Again, we're getting away from the "young" category, but two names I have to toss out are just about the classiest of them all, Hank Jones, and just about the bluesiest of them all, the late Gene Harris.

[Dr. J.]

Do you know where I can get hold of some mp3's of his work?

I have no idea, since I don't deal in mp3s (I believe in buying CDs to support the artists). Maybe there are now some sound clips on his Web site - it was recently revamped. ?

[Pharaohrock]

Re: Flanagan's solo on Giant Steps. One solo a career does not make. Listen to any of his recent trio records for pristine examples of bebop framed in a modern harmonic context. I'd add his solo records- notably Thelonica, are very DEEP too.

[raveniuz]

now i'm listening a lot to brad mehldau, great post-evans pianist. new Diana Krall Live from Parris is also outstanding. and my most favourite is slovak pianist (in the world almost not known, pitty, but in past played e.g. wifh Sam Jones) is Gabriel Jonas. he is phenomenal.
and there are some pianist good for learning and analyzing. Wynton Kelly had a clear style, as for the bebop. Cedar Walton also, for the hardbop. and ofcourse Bill Evans, for the harmony.

[Harmony Artisan]

well, there is a jazz musician that I really like, he plays piano and sings. Not all of his songs are jazz, but many of them are. His name is KangTa. He's not really known to many people except those who are into Korean music, heh. ^^;;;

http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx?pid=1001814545&aid=33483&section=music&code=k&did=91&

-edit- haha, I screwed up.

[greatdane]

Wow. I`ve just bought the album Burried Treasures with Dave Brubeck quartet with Paul Desmond. There are really magic moments on this album, pure pleasure to listen to.

[Bev Stapleton]

Some names that are less familiar but are very much 'Good Pianists Now' and an indication of some of the interesting directions jazz might be heading in the future:

Bojan Zulfikarpasic - a marvellous Serbian pianist based in France - manages to incorporate a slightly Balkan feel into his playing that makes it instantly recognisable.

Stefano Bollani, Guido Manusardi, Enrico Pieranunzi - three superb Italian pianists coming from the Bill Evans tradition.

And two older Brits - Keith Tippett and John Taylor. Tippett works at the free end of the jazz frame; Taylor is a rather cooler version of Evans.

I'd also back Fred Hersch - an unfashionably lyrical player.

[kh1958]

Wow. I`ve just bought the album Burried Treasures with Dave Brubeck quartet with Paul Desmond. There are really magic moments on this album, pure pleasure to listen to.


Agreed. By the way,_there is a companion recording from the same concerts, Bravo Brubeck, that is also fantastic.

[JamesJazz]

Ref. Tommy Flanagan's solo on "Giant Steps", he doesn't seem really comfortable with the tune, maybe the tempo too.
He played on GS because Coltrane, who stayed in the same neighborhood as TF, dropped by one day and asked him to play on the date. TF didn't see the music until the day of the session.

Carlos McKinney is one of the best younger pianists I've heard.

[sideshowbob]

Don't know if she counts as young, but Marilyn Crispell would be on my list, especially "For Coltrane" which is one of the best solo piano albums I know.

-- Ian

[ADR]

My favorite "young" pianists playing today:

Brad Mehldau
Jason Moran
(both well known - on major labels)

Bill Carrothers
Myra Melford
(not as well known - neither on major labels)


Not sure if Carrothers or Melford will be listened to 20 years from now like Mehldau and Moran will. However, they are both doing interesting things on the piano - they both have their own sound like Mehldau and Moran.


ADR

[Aggie87]

I really enjoy Jason Moran, and lately I've been listening to Fred Hersch's Songs Without Words box, and may have to look into him a bit more.

Can't believe no-one has mentioned Chucho Valdes yet. I've got all of his BN releases, and think he's one of the great pianists playing today! His latest, Fantasia Cubana is a classical/jazz crossover solo performance, and is wonderful. His 2000 live quartet set from the Village Vanguard is fantastic, as is his 2001 live solo set.

-Erik

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by greatdane
If you want to listen to, and get inspired by some really great jazz piano you aught to listen to Monty Alexander. One off my absolute favorites.

I saw Monty Alexander perform live in duo with bass player Davide Petrocca and had the impression he has a real warm personality. His playing is very romantic.

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by sideshowbob
Don't know if she counts as young, but Marilyn Crispell would be on my list, especially "For Coltrane" which is one of the best solo piano albums I know.

-- Ian

I don't have any Crispell cd's, but saw her perform with bass player Gary Peacock. She's one of the best piano players I saw in recent years. Her music is more adventurous then the music of most contemporary piano players. I've heard Crispell played with Antony Braxton during the 80's. Can anyone recommend a good she did with Braxton?

[sideshowbob]

Not familiar with her work with Braxton, but must check it out.

Can also recommend her recent trio album with Peacock and Paul Motian, "Nothing Ever Was, Anyway", and a duet piano album with Irene Schweizer on FMP "Overlapping Hands: Eight Segments" which is really involving.


-- Ian

[LeMo]

Lazy Bird,

Marilyn Crispell was part of the Braxton quartet during a decade.
She recorded a lot with Mister B. and mostly very good stuff.
Aniway, if I had to choose in this great body of work some CDs, I will take:

- The Anthony Braxton Quartet: London (1985), Leo Record CD LR 200/1
- The Anthony Braxton Quartet: Birmingham (1985), Leo Record CD LR 202/3
- The Anthony Braxton Quartet: Coventry (1985) Leo Record Leo Record Cd 204/5

All the same, all different.

Anthony Braxton Quartet: Santa Cruz (1993), hat ART 2-6190
(out of print but can be find in second hand shop)

Anthony Braxton Quartet: Twelve Compositions (1993), Music & Arts CD-835 (2 CDs)

Record live during the same (and final) tour of the quartet - The first, like indicated, in Santa Cruz (the 19th of July), the second in Oakland (the 13th of the same month). Only one composition (n°23c) is common to both CDs.

But the masterpiece of their association and, for me, the hilight of the entire Braxton career so far is:

- Anthony Braxton: Willisau (Quartet) 1991, Hat ART 4-61001-2-3-4. Four CDs, two recorded in studio, two live.
On of great (multi)record of the history of jazz.

Out of print but will be reedited on the hatOLOGY label at the end of this year with sound improve.

Really, the one not to miss.

[Rooster_Ties]

Let me say (as many other have already said) by all means check out **Jason Moran**. He's the most exciting young piano player (and composer) I can think of. (Brad Mehldau is great too, in many ways.)

Someone also mentioned Bill Carrothers, and I also think he's really outstanding. He's recorded just a few dates under his own leadership, but he's on several other people's dates as a sideman - which are well worth searching out. (He's on three discs by Bill Stewart, and one disc by Dave Douglas.)

And actually, for my money, Carrothers is one of the best relatively young jazz pianists today, who isn't on a major label. Sometimes I really wish Carrothers would be discovered and get a contract with somebody like Blue Note. (And then again, that might not be what he wants, and who am I to say that getting a contract with a 'major' would be in his own best interests.)

Moran and/or Carrothers, get 'em!!!!

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by sideshowbob
Not familiar with her work with Braxton, but must check it out.

Can also recommend her recent trio album with Peacock and Paul Motian, "Nothing Ever Was, Anyway", and a duet piano album with Irene Schweizer on FMP "Overlapping Hands: Eight Segments" which is really involving.


-- Ian

thanx

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by LeMo
Lazy Bird,

Marilyn Crispell was part of the Braxton quartet during a decade.
She recorded a lot with Mister B. and mostly very good stuff.
Aniway, if I had to choose in this great body of work some CDs, I will take:

- The Anthony Braxton Quartet: London (1985), Leo Record CD LR 200/1
- The Anthony Braxton Quartet: Birmingham (1985), Leo Record CD LR 202/3
- The Anthony Braxton Quartet: Coventry (1985) Leo Record Leo Record Cd 204/5

All the same, all different.

Anthony Braxton Quartet: Santa Cruz (1993), hat ART 2-6190
(out of print but can be find in second hand shop)

Anthony Braxton Quartet: Twelve Compositions (1993), Music & Arts CD-835 (2 CDs)

Record live during the same (and final) tour of the quartet - The first, like indicated, in Santa Cruz (the 19th of July), the second in Oakland (the 13th of the same month). Only one composition (n°23c) is common to both CDs.

But the masterpiece of their association and, for me, the hilight of the entire Braxton career so far is:

- Anthony Braxton: Willisau (Quartet) 1991, Hat ART 4-61001-2-3-4. Four CDs, two recorded in studio, two live.
On of great (multi)record of the history of jazz.

Out of print but will be reedited on the hatOLOGY label at the end of this year with sound improve.

Really, the one not to miss.

Thanks Lemo,

I asked this because I saw Braxton perform some time ago and I'm now planning to buy some of his cd's. I've read that 'for alto' is a real classic. Is it true? Which essential Braxton cd's are not too expensive? Are '3 compositions in new jazz' and 'news from the 70's' recommended?

[ADR]

Rooster:

One of the reasons that Carrothers doesn't have a major label contract is because he turned his back on the whole NYC jazz scene and moved back to his home state of Minnesota. Apparently he is a died in the wool mid-westerner and he absolutely hated NYC.

It might not have been the best thing for his career as far as exposure goes - but you have to be true to yourself and do what makes you happy.

Apparently Carrothers is still able to make a living playing jazz based out of Minnesota - so I say more power to him.


ADR

[LeMo]

Lazy Bird,

Yes, "For Alto" is an important album of the modern jazz era. it's the model than McPhee and many others have follow for their own solo album.

The sad thing about him is his poor sound quality than remastering for CD did'nt imrove at all. But nevetheless, it's an essential album to have.

The problem with the discography of AB, it's than an important part of it is out of print for and, than most of it (all his Arista & most of his Freedom records) has even never been transfert to CD.

But the Braxton Disco is a very huge one and, with my thirty CDs + LP I'm not even covering the 1/4 of it.

Aniway, this is some recommendation according to my own taste (what else?) and the possibility to find those records, more or less, without to much difficulties.

All are single album so, your finance won't suffer to much.

First, you may start with an album of... Dave Holland.
A real great one. In 72, Holland was part of the rythm section of the Braxton Quartet and of the Sam Rivers Trio.
You find the two of them + Barry Altschul on "Conference Of The Birds" (ECM 1027).

You can go after to the Anthony Braxton Quartet with Holland & Altschul + George Lewis, a killer one called : (Dortmund) 1976 (it's on hatOLOGY 557 and it's a live album.

Another quartet album of great value is : AB "Four Compositions (Quartet) 1983" on Black Saint 120066-1. It's still with George Lewis but the ryhtmic is different, this time: Lindberg is on bass and Hemingway on drums.

If you have attempt the Anvers or Bruxelles concerts of february, you will surely be interesting with his album about standards.

I don't have them all and some are out of print.
The two he cuts for Magenta (great one) are not in circulation anymore and it's better to forget the two done for Steeple Chase.

Look, first, for his four stars relecture of Monk on Black Saint (Six Monk's Compositions (1987), BS 120116-1) with Mal Waldron, Buell Neidlinger and Bill Osborne(?).

You can also go for the "Anthony Braxton/ Mario Pavone Quintet" (with Thomas Chapin, Dave Douglas, Pheroan Ak Laff): Seven Standards 1995 (Knitting Factory Works KTW 168).
Braxton revisite, with his partner, Autumn in New York, Eronel, This Foolish Things. etc.

You can also check his hommage to Andrew Hill on CIMP:
"AB - Nine Compositions (Hill) 2000" (CIMP 236) where he is baked by Steve Lehman (Sax), Paul Smoker (Tumpet) and the rythm section of the belgium concerts (Kevin O'Neil, Andy Eulau, Kevin Norton). The Sound is questionnable but the music first rate.

Last recommendation in this area, the very interesting an very underrated duet with Stewart Gillmor with whom Braxton plays music from the swing era and even earlier (Anthony Braxton/ stewart Gillmor Duo: 14 Compositions (Traditionnal) 1996, Leo Records CD LR 259). This one sound very much like the duet than Lee Konitz and Marshall Brown are doing on "Stuttin' With Some Barbecue" in Lee Konitz "Duet" on Milestones.

If you like to try duets, there's three of them than I liked very much. One with John Lindberg (Anthony Braxton featuring John Lindberg: Six Duets (1982) on Cecma CD 004.
I thinh it's still available. It contains originals compositions of Braxton and two devastating takes on "Four".

The other is with Joe Fonda (Anthony Braxton-Joe Fonda: 10 Compositions (Duet) 1995, Konnex KCD 5071).
He is also filled with originals compositions share between Braxton and Fonda and ended also on one standard (Autum in New York, again).

And the last and, maybe, the most beautiful of them all: his duo with Evan Parker (Anthony Braxton & Evan Parker: Duo (London) 1993, Leo Record CD LR 193). This one is improvised.

Braxton has also recorded with big band.
If you want one of them , go directly to a masterpiece called "Eugene (1989)" (Black Saint 120137).

I find is work in the electronic era with the great
Richard Teitelbaum of first importance.

The best of the available albums is the Richard Teitelbaum & Anthony Braxton: Time Zones (Freedom 741037). It's existing a version of this record who is coupled with one from Black Lion and publish on Black Lion called "Silence/ Time Zone". I own "Silence" as an LP. It's with Leo Smith and Leroy Jenkin and there is no electronic in the music who is good but not great.
The compositions are all by Smith & Jenkins.

You can also check some "Ghost Trance Music". I'm not very found of this part of the creation of AB who still goes on and I have kept only one record of the few I bought on his label (Braxton House) where he has recorded most of his GTM : Anthony Braxton Four Compositions (Quartet) 1995 (BH005).
(By the way, all the Braxton House Records are very difficult to find but you can order them throught Cadence).

GTM is an attempt to mixed the music of, let say, LaMonte Young, Steve Reich, Terry Riley and associate, and the jazz improvisation. It's tonal music and... I don't know what else I can say about it.
Some Braxton admirer are absolute fan of it. You may like it.

This is all I can say about the records of AB, one of the great musician of this century.

Aniway, the best of the best are his Quartet With The Pristine Marilyn.

About the Records you ask for, I'm not to found of "Three Compositions Of New Jazz". I think than the association of AB with M.R. Abrams has never really work.

For "News From The Seventies", it's a very good one.
The only problem here is one more time the sound quality who differ from on piece from the other and is never of real good quality.

[D.D.]

Excellent Braxton recommendations by LeMo. And I also have problems with GTM.

Returning to the topic (pianists today): Stefano Battaglia (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=10:28:35|AM&sql=B5kd1vw9va9yk)

I have three of his CDs (my favorite being his duo with great Tony Oxley called 'Explore').

[lazy bird]

Lemo,

Thanx for the reply!! I've printed it. It seems that you are a hughe Braxton fan.
I attended the Braxton gig in Antwerp in february, but had already seen him perform Ghost Trance Music a few years ago. The latter concert made an impression to me, but didn't convince me to buy Braxton cd's. I suppose GTM is not a good way to start with Braxton. Braxton performed in Antwerp instead of Wayne Shorter, who cancelled his gig. The Braxton gig was really awesome and it really compensated the cancelled Shorter concert.

I checked a few online cd shops in Belgium and the Netherlands. 'for alto', 'Dortmund', 'Four compositions', 'Six Monk compositions' and 'Conference of the birds' are available. I'll order some of this cd's in the near future.

Lazy bird

[sideshowbob]

yes, cheers LeMo, I don't have enough Braxton and that gives me some useful pointers.

-- Ian

[LeMo]

Just an add to Braxton disco, but a huge one.

I have forget the inforgetable, no less than one of the major record of modern jazz: the duo between Braxton and Max Roach!!!!!!

It's an crucial record made in 1979 and the starter of a serie of duo than Roach has done in the following years (with Shepp, Taylor - great one to have -, Gillespie and Waldron).

- Max Roach featuring Anthony Braxton: Birth and Rebirth (Black Saint 120024).

Very easy to find and one of the best seller of BS.

AB plays alto, soprano (he doesn't do this very often anymore), sopranino and Clarinet.

It's the real first "outside" record than Max Roach has done.
The music is astonishing even if Braxton is, time to time, a bit too respectfull of the master.

The first one to have to start an AB collection!!

(They like so much to play together than they start to tour and have recorded another one, live this time, for hat HUT who is out of print now but was less compelling than the original one.)

[bubber]

Re chops -both the thread starter and the Gould-supporter should listen to Adam Makowicz (Polish pianist living in US for quite a few years now) and his inspiration Art Tatum, and also to (in another bag) Cecil Taylor.

Chops aside, no jazz pianist can play Goulds repertoar better than Gould - on the other hand Gould of course would'nt be able to play Jarrett, Tatum, Evans etc better than they do.

[lazy bird]

Thanx LeMo,

You've recommended a lot and it won't be easy to choose. I think I'll buy 4 cd's of the following titles:

Braxton / for alto
Braxton / Dortmund 1976
Braxton / Six Monk compositions
Braxton / Four compositions 1983
Braxton / Quartet Coventry
Holland / Conference of the birds

BTW, how did you know about the Braxton concerts in Antwerp and Brussels. Do you live in Belgium?

[LeMo]

I lived in belgium (bruxelles) many years but not anymore.

I have lot a friend there, by the way, and I was at both concert of Braxton, in Antwerpen and in Brussels.

The two belgium dates with an italian one in between (Bologna), was the only three of their european tour.
So, if you wanted to see AB Quartet, you didn't get to much choice. Belgium was the land to.

As the Braxton Willisau reedition.
According to Alan Lankin list, it's a 1979 album.
According to some friends of mine who know both Braxton & Uehlinger, the Willisau 91 is also on his way around the end of this year or the beginning of the next.

Wait and see.

As the second hand shop, I've seen copies of "Santa Cruz" in Brussels and in Paris from time to time. But the "Old Europe" is a little far from the bright California.

but you may try your luck on the site of the best Paris second hand shop: www.jazzcorner.com where you can buy record throught the net. The prices are... parisian.

[EKE BBB]

Definitively, Albert Sanz!

Hear him with David Mengual in "Desd´aquí" (Satchmo Jazz, 1998)

[LeMo]

David,

You can buy the "Anthony Braxton Quartet (Santa Cruz) 1993, hat ART", on the italian site:

www.controtempojazz.com

The price is a full one and it looks like they have only ONE CD left.

[lazy bird]

Originally posted by LeMo
I lived in belgium (bruxelles) many years but not anymore.

I have lot a friend there, by the way, and I was at both concert of Braxton, in Antwerpen and in Brussels.

The two belgium dates with an italian one in between (Bologna), was the only three of their european tour.
So, if you wanted to see AB Quartet, you didn't get to much choice. Belgium was the land to.

As the Braxton Willisau reedition.
According to Alan Lankin list, it's a 1979 album.
According to some friends of mine who know both Braxton & Uehlinger, the Willisau 91 is also on his way around the end of this year or the beginning of the next.

Wait and see.

As the second hand shop, I've seen copies of "Santa Cruz" in Brussels and in Paris from time to time. But the "Old Europe" is a little far from the bright California.

but you may try your luck on the site of the best Paris second hand shop: www.jazzcorner.com where you can buy record throught the net. The prices are... parisian.

LeMo,

I've just ordered these cd's at CONTROTEMPO:

Braxton / Six Monk Compositions
Braxton / Four Compositions 1983
Braxton / For alto
Holland / Conference of the birds

Lazy Bird

[jazzdude]

I really like Hersch. My favorite is "The Fred Hersch Trio Plays..."
Great song selection, playing and excellent sound quality (It's a Chesky record).

I also really like his solo disc recorded at the New England Conservatory of Music, "Let Yourself Go."

And I dig his tribute to Billy Strayhorn, " Passion Flower: Fred Hersch Plays Billy Strayhorn." It has trio, solo and strings throughout.

I'm surprised no one mentioned Lynne Arriale. She has alot of classical technique and in the early '90's she won the Great American Piano Competition. I suggest " With Words Unspoken" and "Inspirtation." Her versions of "I Loves You Porgy" and "A House Is Not A Home" are worth the price of the discs IMO.

John, if you like Keith Jarrett (he and McCoy are my 2 faves, too) and classical music you will really like Hersch and Arriale.

Promise.

[D.D.]

Don Friedman - great underrated pianist. I have several of his CDs and all of them are top-notch. Lyrical in/out style. Excellent composer as well. I think he also recorded in Maybeck solo series.

[LeMo]

To comeback to the tread itself, I like to insist again (I say so because I've already spoke about him on other treads) on the biggest discovery I've done since the beginning of the year.

He's name is Noah Rosen and he has his first record has leader who came out on Cadence some weeks ago.

He has work with Andrew Hill than he considered as a spiritual father (Hill wrote a part of the liner note of the record)

I've write the other tread I mention than his music sounded like the impossible mixture of Bill Evans & Cecil Taylor. It was very much an over simplification, but, aniway, he gets certainly something of both world and surely the fantastic energy of the second.

He is an astonishing technician with an incredible independance of both hands, a bit in the manner of Borah Bergman.

NOAH ROSEN: TRIPS JOBS AND JOURNEYS (CADENCE CJR 1152)

It's recorded in France where he has lived few years.
It's in trio setting with Didier Levallet (double bass) and Makoto sato (drums).

For the rest I think than Georg Graewe (specially his superbe and very original reading of Monk's music: "Impressions of Monk" on Nuscope), the two Pandelis Karayorgis on Leo ("Heart & Sack", "Blood Ballad), the one Charles Eubanks has cut for CIMP ("New Beginnings", # 250) and most of the records of Borah Bergman (a young man of seventy years old) on Soul Note are totally - records or pianist - underrated.

[Mnytime]

I could have sworn I posted a list of piano players in this thread already.


Here is my list of living piano players that are still kicking ass. IMHO

Cecil Taylor
Paul Bley
Keith Tippett
Keith Jarrett
Alexander Schlippenbach
Fred Van Hove
Misha Mengelberg
Marilyn Crispell
Irene Schweizer
Abdullah Ibrahim
Borah Bergman
Howard Riley
John Law
Georg Grawe
Cor Fuhler
Fred Hersch
Andrew Hill
Randy Weston
Muhal Richard Abrams
Myra Melford

I am sure I am missing more but these are the first that come to mind.


Speaking of Braxton, Gerry Hemingway told me that Hat Hut will be releasing a 2 or 3 CD set by Braxton's Classic Quartet that was recorded in London in 1991. It is supposed to be coming out this year or next year.

Since there is no chance of this group getting back together this is the second best option.

[D.D.]

Originally posted by David Gitin
Glad George Graewe got mentioned; he's a unique player.

Well, I am sure Graewe himself would mention Fred Van Hove. I am in the process of downloading his 'Complete Vogel Recordings' from emusic.com - this should be some exciting listening!

[Mnytime]

Originally posted by D.D.


Well, I am sure Graewe himself would mention Fred Van Hove. I am in the process of downloading his 'Complete Vogel Recordings' from emusic.com - this should be some exciting listening!



The Vogel recordings are incredible but have you heard "Flux" or "Passing Waves"? Both are must haves from Van Hove, especially "Flux"!

[D.D.]

Originally posted by Mnytime

The Vogel recordings are incredible but have you heard "Flux" or "Passing Waves"? Both are must haves from Van Hove, especially "Flux"!

No, my only exposure to Van Hove is through his early work with Brotzmann - I understand this is a serious gap in my musical knowledge that I have to fill asap.
Let me see...AMG reviews are rave, as expected.
Both 'Flux' and 'Passing Waves' get to the top of my multi-volume 'to buy' list.

[LeMo]

Just for the record: A french jazz Critic by the name of SYLVAIN SICLIER (one really to remember) gave the note of ONE star in a maximum quotation of FIVE to the Fred Van Hove's "Complete Vogel Recordings".

I quote him "moving farther back, we can notice than Van Hove was a less bad pianist than most of musicians of the free aera who use their theatrality and anarchism to serve for excuse to them doing anything of any value"

And his conclusion, now: " This is not enough to considered this recordings as something else than a document".

SYLVAIN SICLIER is working for the french newspaper Le Monde and for the jazz revue Jazzman (a neo-cons one of the worst kind). It's seems than his mission in this (jazz) live is to save jazz from the ideous hand of free jazz and and improvise music.

Never succed to identified this Siclier at any concert in Paris.
It's possible we don't go to the same. It's also possible than he never go to any concert at all, except, maybe some showcase, what is a comple possibility.

Anyway I like one day to speak to him face to face. Just for the fun of it, of course.

[Mnytime]

D.D.

I would recommend getting them from Verge. That's where I got mine and if I recall they are where a lot cheaper than everyone else is. That's without their 5% backorder discount included. Though the Canadian dollar was much weaker against the dollar when I ordered as well. It was around .63 to the dollar. Now I believe it is around .68. It would still be the place I would check before ordering.

[D.D.]

Originally posted by Mnytime
D.D.

I would recommend getting them from Verge. That's where I got mine and if I recall they are where a lot cheaper than everyone else is. That's without their 5% backorder discount included. Though the Canadian dollar was much weaker against the dollar when I ordered as well. It was around .63 to the dollar. Now I believe it is around .68. It would still be the place I would check before ordering.

Prices are OK, but shipping to Europe is way too expensive.
When I lived in States I used to buy at www.themusicresource.com, www.alldirect.com and occasionally towerrecords and j&r.

[Mnytime]

Sorry, when I made the recommendation I forgot to look to see where you lived. Yea I would say Italy is a bit far to ship something from Canada.

I have used thos sites as well. But because of the exchange rates and their offering a 5% discount on top of that for certain labels Verge can't be beat in comparision to U.S. sites or stores. Example being FMP.

[D.D.]

Originally posted by Mnytime
But because of the exchange rates and their offering a 5% discount on top of that for certain labels Verge can't be beat in comparision to U.S. sites or stores. Example being FMP.
Yeah, not bad.
I guess my best option here is just to subscribe for FMP releases directly from the label - the price is 12.78 euro per CD (still not too cheap...).

[Seba]

what a bout Ted Rosenthal, another great player

[solarjazzband]

These two come to my mind:

Brad Mehldau
Ethan Iverson (from the new upcoming group: The Bad Plus)

[teatime58]

Great thread since I love piano. I'll have to check out all these suggestions. I agree about Fred Hersch - excellent. How about Bruce Barth? I just checked him out a little based on a review - pretty good. A bit in the Fred Hersch vein, if my memory is correct.

[Tanager]

I'm surprised not to have seen Barry Harris mentioned...

nor Hal Galper, nor Steve Kuhn, nor Hampton Hawes. (Hawes isn't with us anymore, but I didn't see him mentioned, so thought I'd toss his name out...tremendously underappreciated.)

[makpjazz57]

I'd have to place a strong vote with pianist Chris Neville. Chris spent quite a bit of time on the road with Benny Carter and can also be heard on My Man Benny/My Man Phil (Benny Carter with Phil Woods).

Chris also has a couple of great trio recordings on the Evening Star label. Fortunately, he lives in the Boston area and I get a chance to hear him from time to time.

Marla

[JohnS]

No one has mentioned Kenny Werner. Any of his trio recordings are worth having, but I'd recommend the two live recordings on Nightbird (the first is on Double Time as well) and "Unprotected Music" also on Double Time.

[Tunk]

Yes Denilo Perez is the man. His playing on "Footprints" the live Wayne Shorter album is wonderfull. I don't think anyone has mentioned Michel Camilo and Steven Bernstein. Camilo is an awesome player, much in the same vein as the masterfull Chucho Valdez. BTW, someone mentioned Chuchos albums on BN and I have to say that "Bela Bela en La habana" is one of the best albums I've owned in a long time.

[Tunk]

Whoops, I'm such an idiot. Steven Bernstein is a trumpeter. I meant to say Peter Martin. Don't ask me how I mixed that up.

[clifton]

Danilo Perez is one of the most creative younger players around. I've been listening to Jessica Williams a lot lately, and she equals or surpasses anyone else out there, IMHO.

[James]

As far as younger players go, be on the watch for Gerald Clayton. (John Clayton's son) At the age of 19 he's playing with *tremendous* chops and maturity. I've heard him live twice, seperated by about 7-8 months, and the second time I heard him he had made a quantum leap in developement. I shudder to think what this young man will sound like in a couple of years!! He's L.A. based.

As far as veteran players go I'd have to recommend Mike Wofford, Bill Cunliffe, George Colligan, Denny Zeitlin and John Stetch. Since Mike Wofford hails from my home town I've heard him countless times over the years. This former pianist/musical director for both Sarah & Ella is really an explorer - constantly pushing himself for new ideas and taking the listener along on a joyous ride in the process. www.mikewofford.com.

And I'll second Marla's rec. for Chris Neville. His release "Look, Stop, and Listen" with James Cammack and Dave Bowler is really a treat.

[Valerie]

Originally posted by James
As far as younger players go, be on the watch for Gerald Clayton. (John Clayton's son) At the age of 19 he's playing with *tremendous* chops and maturity. I've heard him live twice, seperated by about 7-8 months, and the second time I heard him he had made a quantum leap in developement. I shudder to think what this young man will sound like in a couple of years!! He's L.A. based.

I had the pleasure of again hearing Gerald at Benny Carter's memorial yesterday. He played a solo piece and knocked everybody out! Apparently, he was fortunate enough to have been mentored by Benny.

[clifton]

Among younger pianists, Eric Reed and Robert Glasper have caught my ear.

[still life]

Although I'm not totally enthralled with Diana Krall's singing, generally speaking, I think that she has a wonderful touch on the piano.

Some of the younger pianists seem to be moving toward work with an electric piano and I am quite impressed with the work that Bernard Wright did on two albums I have by the New York trumpeter, Tom Browne, "Browne Sugar" and "Love Approach".

Other than that, Oscar Peterson is "the man" for me, when it comes to Jazz Piano. He keeps getting better and better, in my estimation, evolving with the times, never dating his style. A treasure!!!!

[rhinozoot]

dave newton who supports vocalist stacey kent (candid label) is very good

I have not checked out if he has not done anything in another context

OSCAR PETERSON IS MY GOLD STANDARD FOR A JAZZ PIANIST

I find his Pablo, MPS exclusively for my friends and Telarc blue note live to be better than the earlier work

he meet vladamier howritz once,and their was much mutal admiration

[peter rh]

David Newton has a dozen or more cds in his own name on Candid,Concord,Linn and Zepher.The only 2 I have (In Good Company and Half Way To Dawn) are both excellent trio dates.
Obviously a musician who is going to be around for many years
to come

[ATR]

Dave Bryant is a versatile keyboard player, both acoustic and electric, from the Boston area. He had been playing harmolodic music for years with his Shock Exchange trio before joining Prime Time to be the first keyboard player to perform and record with Ornette Coleman since Walter Norris on Something Else!!!! No, the correct answer to that trivia question is not 'Geri Allen'. Bryant has been touring with Prime Time for years, and he appears on the Ornette and Prime Time's CD 'Tone Dialing'. Aside from a Shock Exchange record that hasn't to my knowledge been released on CD, Bryant has a session under his leadership out on the Accurate label entitled 'The Eternal Hang'
Two other good keyboard players that haven't been mentioned yet are Joachim Kuhn, who has also played with Ornette, and Mike Cain who has recorded with Jack DeJohnette and Anthony Cox as well as on his own. Seems like Kuhn and Cain are good names for piano players. I didn't notice, but did anyone mention Craig Taborn?

[mjjr]

Kenny Barron is the current best, in my view. Mulgrew Miller is wonderful and better in person than on most of his CDs. Joanne Brackeen, Bill Charlap, Fred Hersch, Jason Moran, John Hicks, Brad Mehldau, Jacky Terrasson,

New: Orrin Evans, Vijay Iyer are both very interesting. Lots of others - it's great time for piano players right now.

mj

[EUTEME]

Originally posted by John
I'm a piano student, I've been studying classical piano for 9 years and I recently got interested in jazz.

The four jazz pianists I listen to most are Mccoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock, and I also sometimes listen to Thelonius Monk, Oscar Peterson, and Bud Powell.

Does anyone know of some excellent younger pianists who I should listen to?

[EUTEME]

I THINK THE GREATEST PIANIST THAT I HAVE HEARD IS DANNY MIXON. HE MIXES CLASSICAL AND JAZZ AND CAN BE HEARD PRETTY REGULARLY AT LENOX LOUNGE IN HARLEM.
CHECK HIM OUT. I DOUBT THAT YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED!!

[xricci]

Hi EUTEME,

Thanks very much for joining the AAJ bulletin board.

I don't want to hit you with a rule from the get-go, but here goes: can you do us all a favor and use sentence case. All caps are very hard to read, especially when the post runs long.

We appreciate your cooperation.
Mike

[kh1958]

Dannie Mixon played with Mingus, appearing on record only on Music for Todo Modo.

[musikmaam]

Don't overlook the young (16 year old) Russian prodigy, Eldar Djangirov. He is amazing. I heard him perform at Benny Carter's memorial and he out played the Clayton kid, hands down. Benny was a great fan and mentor of his.

[Nuwer]

Listen lad!

Joey Calderazzo
Ed Simon
David Kikoski
Gonzalo Rubalcaba

If u want to play good afterall

[king ubu]

Just found two Bill Charlap discs for a very good price and like them very very much! Solid work also from the two Washingtons.
They both came out on Blue Note, one's the Hoagy Carmichael tribute (I love his tunes), "Stardust", which has guests Frank Wess, Jim Hall and Shirley Horn doing some nice cameos, the other is a slightly earlier trio disc, "Written In The Stars" - very good choice of tunes, beautiful, brooding, playing. Swings, too!

A pleasant surprise, to my ears.

ubu

[Saxano]

dunno if it has already been said but Oscar peterson :)

[brownie]

Same goes for Martial Solal. He has not been mentioned yet.
Another French pianist worth a listen is Jean-Michel Pilc who has made some very interesting albums for the Dreyfus label.

[Sidmanjazz]

John,

Try Brad Mehldau. HIs CD, Places, is excellent.

Sid

[Jazzman83]

Disappointed that this guy hasn't been mentioned, maybe it's because he plays up north here among the igloos of Canada..:tongue2:
Michael Kaeshammer is about 22-23 and has released 3 albums, all of them very good and has a 4th to be released very soon. He plays out of Vancouver mostly and does many jazz club tours. Seen him live twice and always puts on a great show and displays great talent at playing Boogie piano resembaling that of Albert Ammons and company...
www.kaeshammer.com is his website if anyone's interested.

[It Should be You]

Originally posted by John


Does anyone know of some excellent younger pianists who I should listen to?

How young? Why young? Why now?

Yeah, I know. Why not?

Everybody was young once upon a time. Some mother's darlin'. Just asking! A lot of names I see posted here are from the broad history of jazz.

If by young you mean not dead, here's a few who don't qualify but I think you might like if you like Monk a little:
Herbie Nichols, Elmo Hope (active in the 50s)

Did anybody mention Cyrus Chestnut or Stephen Scott (gospel music influence)? 30 somethings, I think. Bobby Timmons with Art Blakey Jazz Messengers was young and now once upon a time

Or try Randy Weston for African influences and Monk together. Been around a long time. Or a South African, Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand)

Best! We need more piano!

Nice thread.

[gdogus]

Originally posted by teatime58
Great thread since I love piano. I'll have to check out all these suggestions. I agree about Fred Hersch - excellent. How about Bruce Barth? I just checked him out a little based on a review - pretty good. A bit in the Fred Hersch vein, if my memory is correct. I'll revive tealtime58's recommendation of Bruce Barth. I've been digging his Village Vanguard trio album, and his East and West larger group set as well.

AAJ has reviewed both twice:

Village Vanguard here (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=9724) and here (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=9729)

East and West here (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=5894) and here (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=5837)

And other Barth albums, too: Hope Springs Eternal (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=913) and American Landscape (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=10269)

[Frank Mullen]

Although he's not young by any count, why has noone mentioned Dick Hyman?
Is it because he's playing more mainstream stuff than the bop he played when he was younger? I first saw him, I believe, on a film clip playing behind Bird. He can play any style magnificently, sound like anyone he wants to and better mostly.

[teatime58]

Wow, the options to check out are endless - Monk is probably my favorite so I'll have to check out the ones mentioned that are in his style. Thanks, Gdogo (sp?) for bringing up Bruce Barth again - I haven't listened to him since I mentioned him before. I'm not sure he's that interesting to listen to, but I'll give him another try from your links. I may be wrong, but I think I read that he's on Luciana Sousa's latest CD, where she ventured into trio (or maybe it was quartet) work.

I do like Bill Charlap, Fred Hersch, Cedar Walton and many others mentioned. I've been wanting to get one of Brad Mehldau's CD's - I think Trio works or something like that? Someone mentioned Elgar Djangirov who I was pretty impressed with and didn't discover until after listening to a few tracks that he's so young, so I don't think I was influenced by the whole prodigy thing. What do the rest of you think of him?

Speaking of the child prodigies, what's the word on that young kid Matt Savage (I think that's his name) - he used to be autistic, or I guess still is but on the milder end of the continuum.

Also, Arturo Sandoval is pretty amazing, and he also plays trumpet or sax (can't recall, I think the former).

He's probably no longer alive, but I'm just discovering an oldie who used to play with Ella a lot: Paul Smith. Really like his playing. I'm sure I'm overlooking so many others, but that's all I have time for right now. Happy holidays to all of you!

[teatime58]

Oops - just remembered a few more: Peter Beets - very nice trio and quartet work. Listen to some samples at -http://www.peterbeets.nl/cd.html

Hiromi - I like some of her stuff, not all. http://www.hiromimusic.com/current.htm

Here's a website to check out Elgar Djangirov: http://eldarjazz.com/index.html

What about the pianist from The Bad Plus - Ethan Iverson? I'm mixed about them too, but do like some of the tracks from their last CD. Check them out on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazz/jon3/jon3030321fbadplus.shtml
or www.thebadplus.com

Harold Mabern is excellent, and also Robert Glasper.

[Mike Neely]

If you're interested in traditional jazz (swing and before swing) I'd recommend Mark Shane and Andy Fielding.

Shane is on a recent Biederbecke project CD on Arbors, on a wonderful duet CD with the singer Terry Blaine called "Lonesome Swallow," and has a sextet CD called "On Treasure Island" on Jukebox Jazz.

Andy Fielding has solo and duet CDs with Arbors Records. Both are masters of the early styles of ragtime, stride, blues, swing etc. Both of these guys are fairly young and busy.

Two others are Dave McKenna and Dick Wellstood - both are renowned pianists with big reputations. Of course, James P. Johnson, Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum are all immortals. "Snowy Morning Blues" (GRP) is a wonderful James P. recording, readily available.

These are the styles and some of the great pianists who set the foundation for the development of jazz piano. Everyone you mentioned (and have been mentioned on this thread) have been students of the early greats. This is fantastic jazz often overlooked by newcomers.

[Mike Neely]

Let me clarify. Shane and Fielding are on the scene. Dick Wellstood recently passed away. Dave McKenna isn't young but he's a master recording some of his best work. The other musicians - the immortals - Johnson, Hines, Wilson, Tatum - are no longer alive but their music certainly is with us. Simply ask any good pianist about these guys and you'll likely have a lot to listen to. There's lots of information about all of these musicians on the internet and specifically on the AAJ website. Enjoy the music!

[Frank Mullen]

Re Mark Shane.

He's not only a very very fine pianist on his own but plays superbly as an accompanist, something that I've found eludes other good pianists.

[peter rh]

Mike & Frank - couple of threads here that may interest you
(sorry if you've already found them)
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1832
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1966

[Frank Mullen]

thanks peter-very fine threads indeed

[peter rh]

almost forgot the Oscar Peterson thread :
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2318

[Mike Neely]

Fred:

I agree totally with you about Mark Shane as an accompaniest; he's one of the best. Hey, the first time I ever saw Mark Shane he was playing with the guitarist Chuck Wayne in a little bar in Manhatten called Gregory's. Shane was trading be-bop lines with Wayne - no small accomplishment being able to keep stride with THE be-bop guitar master. They sounded great together. I subsequently heard Wayne, Shane, and usually Mike Fleming on bass several times. Neat trio. Charlie. There's wasn't much that Mark Shane couldn't/can't do on piano. Perhaps, someday in the future some of these Shane with Chuck Wayne recordings will surface.

[Mike Neely]

That stranded "Charlie" in the last submission was supposed to be something like: Charlie Parker tunes were common. Sorry about the glitch. Anyway, Shane's one heckuva of player.

[Mike Neely]

Frank, excuse me for writing Fred. Anyway, I think we're on the same wave length about Mark Shane. Best wishes.

[peter rh]

I first discovered Mark Shane via the Terry Blaine/Shane cds -
Terry Blaine In Concert '94 - With Thee I Swing '97. I thought
them both excellent in all aspects, and am quite surprised that
the jazz world has not heard a lot more from them.I thought
Terry Blaine was going to be particularly popular in UK - she has
a certain special quality(difficult to describe), but lacking in many more popular female singers( Louisiana Fairytale) Mark Shane I
only know from these cds but I very much enjoy what I have - nice
version of Carolina Shout.
Perhaps their day will come - in 1997 Mark Shane said they had
been working together for more than 10 years-presumably this
is still the case

[Mike Neely]

Peter rh:

Considering what you're saying, I think you'd enjoy "Lonesome Swallow" the Mark Shane & Terry Blaine duet CD (www.jukeboxjazz.com). It has a bluesy, early jazz feel. The AAJ reviewer Jack Bowers did rave review of the CD. The review is in the AAJ archives I'm sure. The CD was recorded in 2002, so this couple is going on strong. The CD gets a whole lot of spin time on my player. Enjoy.

[peter rh]

Mike - funny you mention this - I've just been checking out the
same cd on Amazon - for some reason they have one copy via
their marketplace at $59.98 - think I'll find it elsewhere!
Thanks for the idea

[peter rh]

nice collection at Jazz By Mail - will acquire!:)

[Frank Mullen]

This post doesn't fit the title of this thread but I stuck it in here because it is a recommendation likely to be of interest of pianists and jazz piano fans. There was a long fabled jazz pianist whom Jack Teagarden thought the best he had ever heard. His name was Peck Kelly and he has so few recordings that most jazz fans never heard him. I just got done listening to a recording of him playing Honeysuckle Rose and he certainly was something. Go to "Riverwalk.com" and you will find Jim Cullum's trad band doing their weekly show on NPR .To find Kelly,look on the column to your left and find "programs guide" then scroll down to "2003 programs" and click on it. Their Peck Kelly program is I believe the first or second of 2003 and if you shop around in it you will find some interesting stuff about Kelly as well as his "Honeysuckle Rose" . And as long as you are there
you can get familiar with Cullum's shows, which are a must for most jazzers who are interested in the history of jazz.Try it,you may like it.

[Frank Mullen]

SORRY GANG--i just tried Riverwalk.com and it didn't work. Use the following

Riverwalk, Live from the landing/

[Frank Mullen]

THATS

Riverwalk, live from the landing

[Brucey]

Try to listen to a young guy called Taylor Eigsti. He's such a talent for someone so young.

[Fran]

Lots of great names in the list.
But, I think it is detrimental to piano jazz and to a young piano student to ignore the oldsters.
What pianist can fail to admire and learn from Art Tatum, John Lewis or Teddy Wilson? Who can hear Basie and not marvel at his economy and clarity of ideas?

There will be a hole in your musical education John, if you don't get into the guys who came before.

[Frank Mullen]

and it IS worth saying twice.I agree.

[Mike Neely]

Seems to me if you listen to a good young pianist you can hear who he/she's been listening to - you can also check out the compositions recorded. Seems to me all the great jazz pianists have a deep sense of their instrument's history and have developed their own voices because of this. If the greats took the time and the joyous effort, maybe their example is worth consideration?