Brad Mehldau and Kevin Hays and similar recommendations

[nickc]

I went to see Brad Mehldau and Kevin Hays in concert last night and was astounded. Less of a gig more of a transcendental experience! Admittedly this was my first piano jazz concert but my amazon basket is now full of the Methaldau CD's i didn't already have.

This post is really to say if you get the chance to see these two on their current tour don't hesitate. I took my mum along as she's an amateur jazz pianist and she was open mouthed in wonder.

I'd also like to know what other pianists i should be listening too? I'm fairly new to jazz piano and enjoy the soulful sound of Mary Lou Williams and Alice Coltrane although nothing seems to really hit the spot for me like Brad Methldau. I like some Keith Jarrett and I've tried Chick Corea but i find him a little hard going at the moment although i keep revisiting him every so often to try again!

Nick

[cincyjake]

I've been a fan of Mehldau for a long time, but only recently begun actively listening to a lot of other pianists. A few of my favorites have been:

• Fred Hersch - to my understanding, he was a mentor to Mehldau; I think Whirl or Alive at the Vanguard are good places to start in his considerable discography
• Marc Copland - he tends to be a bit more mellow but his playing is beautiful - he rivals Mehldau for my favorite piano player; his New York Trio discs are a good place to start
• Bill Carrothers - check out Joy Spring or Live at the Village Vanguard
• Bill Evans - maybe obvious, but his trio with Scott LaFaro is an influence on virtually any piano player today; the Complete Village Vanguard Recordings is a good place to start
• You mentioned Kevin Hays - I've been checking out some of his trio discs lately and they're very good too. I just picked up his LIve at Smalls recording for $6 at www.smallslive.com - hard to go wrong at that price!
• Chick Corea is incredibly talented, but a bit hit or miss for me too. If you haven't heard it, definitely check out his most recent trio disc Further Explorations with Eddie Gomez and Paul Motian - easily my favorite thing he's done
• Those are my favorites currently - others I've enjoyed that you might want to explore would be Steve Kuhn, Ahmad Jamal, Enrico Pieranunzi, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, John Taylor, Luis Perdomo, Edward Simon and Uri Caine.

I hope that's helpful. There's so many great jazz piano players out there - and I've barely even looked into some of the earlier players like Oscar Peterson or Art Tatum. Have fun!

[walkin]

Paul Bley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyjis-gBwAM

Tord Gustavsen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf-n9qTsjiA

Bobo Stenson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxsEdZPzoxk

Marilyn Crispell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EzMKB9qj08

[HutchFan]

I second what cincyjake and walkin said.

I would also add Frank Kimbrough to the list of pianists to investigate.

[Vaughan]

Jason Moran.

[nickc]

Thanks very much for all the responses, loads i've not heard of, i'm working my way through them all. Very pleased to find that Fred Hersch has an album based around Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, a favourite text of mine so can't wait to hear that one.

[Kevin Murray]

Also make sure to check out Taylor Eigsti for some amazing tunes. Try to see him live as it will blow your socks off.