5 Under-Rated Solo Piano Jazz Albums

[Geoff]

When it comes to solo piano, most people think of Keith Jarrett's 'The Koln Concert', or some solo recording by Thelonious Monk, and maybe even a solo Cecil Taylor album. Yet, there are a number of solo piano albums that are almost never talked about. Here I will guide you through some of these poorly recognised, but brillaint albums.

Here are a top 5, of under-rated solo piano jazz albums.


1.



Sergey Kuryokhin - Some Combinations of Fingers and Passion

Released on Leo Records in 1991.

If you asked even one of the most avid free jazz fans if they had heard of Sergey Kuryokhin, most of them wouldn't have a foggiest idea who he was. Why?
Well Sergey, was a Russian and mostly preformed while the Soviet Union was still intact. Not until the near end of his career, did he record outside Russia, (this recording is recorded in London). Hence, much of his music did not get spread to the 'west' (eg. USA). Just when his career finally was beginning to be on the upturn, Sergey died of cancer. Just before his death, he was playing with another European Jazz legend, (that is aslo under-recognised Kenny Millions (aka Keshavan Maslak). Okay, now that we've learnt a bit about Sergey's sad story let's get talk about this album.
This isn't your typical album, in fact it isn't like anything done before, because of his relative isolation in Russia, Sergey had a style of his own. He was known for playing anything, he was in a Russian Progressive Rock Band, he bribed police to use a church organ, played jazz and classical. This combination of anything and everything, is exaclty how you can describe this album. There are resonances of Chopin, Cecil Taylor, God.

There is something so atonal about his playing, yet is always seems melodic. The opening song is just under 30 minutes long. 3 of the pieces are orignals, and there is one cover. A cover of Dave Brubeck's 'Blue Ronda A La Turk' (renamed 'Blue Ronda A La Russ'). This isn't your average cover, the whole song is completely, reworked and extended, with massive improvisation and indirect melodic references. It's just under 12 minutes, and surely, the most avant-garde any Brubeck tune has ever been. The next starts, with a simple introduction, with Sergey humming along, his voice almost sounds like a recorder, or small reed instrument, however if there is a critisism for this album, it would be sometimes the noises are a bit off-putting. However, the track is full with humour. Finally the album ends with an improvised 'boogie woogie', which reminds me very much of Jaki Byard.

Watch out for Album Number 2 tommorow!

[Geoff]

2.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0...1.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Jaki Byard - Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 17

I don't think anyone has such a firm grip, on every style of jazz than Jaki Byard (with maybe the exception of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who Jaki worked (*hear them together on 'The Jaki Byard Experience'*)

Jaki Byard, was a long time standing pianist for the great Jazz bassist/composer/pianist Charles Mingus. He also played with Eric Dolphy (listen to 'Far Cry') as well as Sam Rivers' Fuschia Swing Song (one of my favourite jazz albums which has yet been released on CD, except for in Japan.) Sadly, Jaki Byard was murdered in his home in Queens, New York 1999.

Jaki Byard's solo career is appallingly underappreciated. Jaki was one of the finest jazz pianist that ever lived and he deserved more respect than he over got.

This album is a great portrait of his solo piano playing. A stlye that saw no boundries, an extremely melodic, and archaic style, that was at the same time, something new and daring.

There are 4 original pieces, that could have been written by Scott Joplin, let alone Jaki Byard. It's a style that is hard to describe, it's so unique that Jaki Byard is just Jaki Byard, a totally original pianist. The other pieces are 'collages', of some of Byard's favourite jazz composers. He manages to play Round Midnight with one hand, while sounding as if he was using three.
There is also a tribute to Art Blakey and some others.

This album needs to be heard to be believed.

Sadly it is pretty much out of print.

Another album, that deserves to be a classic, but has never become one.

Number 3 tommorow!

[D.D.]

I think this has the potential of becomming a great thread.

[bubber]

I agree, nice thread. Maybe some day I'll contribute with my thoughts on Jessica Williams.

[PDEE]

Originally posted by bubber
I agree, nice thread. Maybe some day I'll contribute with my thoughts on Jessica Williams.

You beat me to it


Not underated but generally ignored.. though not by former BNBB'ers it seemed...least some of them

Hampton Hawes.... THe Challenge.

[Joe]

Absolutely agree re: the Kuryokhin, which, I believe, is back in print after a short hiatus.

I would nominate Jimmy Yancey's final recordings for the Atlantic label for this honor.



Boogie-woogie? In the main, yes. Typical? By no means. This is the blues as understood by a rare intelligence.

[Ed Swinnich]

Petrucciani - 100 Hearts

[Stan C]

Jaki Byard- Blues For Smoke

[soul stirrin']

It's not entirely a solo piano album, but I'd add Jodie Christian's "Experience" to the list, as well as Denny Zeitlin's "Live at Maybeck." Both terribly underrated pianists, both tremendous albums.

[D.D.]

Originally posted by soul stirrin'
It's not entirely a solo piano album, but I'd add Jodie Christian's "Experience" to the list, as well as Denny Zeitlin's "Live at Maybeck." Both terribly underrated pianists, both tremendous albums.

Could you elaborate a bit please? I don't think I've heard anything by them...

[BruceH]

Duke Ellington: Piano Reflections

Sun Ra: Monorails and Satellites

Don't know if you could call these under-rated, but they don't seem to get talked about much.

[James]

I have to concur strongly with props for Denny Zeitlin - in fact caught him in performance for the first time last month. I've heard him described as a "musician's musician" and this sentiment is supported for me by the fact that another underappreciated pianist I feel strongly about (Mike Wofford) praises him highly.

His recording "As Long as There's Music" with Buster Williams and Al Foster is a very good showcase for his talent IMO. His treatment of Cousin Mary alone on this recording pays for price of admission.

Now regarding Mike Wofford, allow me to mention that he did stints as pianist/musical director for both Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald. Given this background, one might assume his style to be conservative - but this is hardly the case. He shares with Zeitlin the ability to create rare, spine tingling voicings and has a touch that has to be heard to be believed. His particular style of edge and attack scratches me exactly where I itch! I've caught him many times in performance, and there have been times when he provides intros to tunes which are so ingenious and beautiful that the rest of the composition becomes anti-climactic.

Mike's recording "Time Cafe" with Darek Oles and Duncan Moore is worth getting your hands on. Of the twelve compositions, four are solo pieces. His solo treatment of the intrinsically poignant Grolnick tune "The Cost of Living" *destroys* me every time I hear it. The session flows exceptionally well and contains a great Wofford original (H2) and two stunning ballads by Darek, as well as a sensitive number (Cyprus) by San Diego drummer Tim McMahon. Those who revel in the joy of new jazz discovery will dig this recording, as well as Mike's previous (and more edgy) "Synergy" with Rob Thorsen (bass) and Joe LaBarbera (drums)

[James]

Sorry all - veered off topic with above post. Talked about under-rated *pianists* - sometimes passion gets the better of me.......

Nevertheless, both Zeitlin & Wofford are featured in the Maybeck solo piano series.

[BFrank]

If I'm not mistaken, most all of the Maybeck albums are generally considered top quality.

[brownie]

Paul Bley 'Open to Love' (ECM)
Martial Solal 'Nothing but Piano' (MPS)
and where jazz piano solo really started: Art Tatum. Any of his Pablo solo albums. Not under-rated but too often forgotten.