Herbie Hancock recorded his first solo album, Takin’ Off, in 1962. Herbie Hancock is perhaps the most famous name in jazz piano thanks to a prolific career spanning many decades and genres. Watch this footage of Oscar Peterson performing “Hymn to Freedom” Peterson is best known for his insane technique, machine-like left hand, and swinging like no other, but his music was more than those things, as you can hear in his 1962 composition, “Hymn to Freedom” (written for Martin Luther King Jr.). Oscar Peterson was also heavily influenced by Duke Ellington, and even his trio arrangements had a level of sophistication rarely heard. His unique style that blends virtuosic technique with the smoothness of Nat King Cole’s singing is one of the defining sounds of jazz piano. Peterson played on his first record in 1945, soon becoming one of jazz music’s most in-demand pianists. After hearing the unmistakable Art Tatum, Peterson was motivated to become even better than him, and to many, he succeeded. Oscar Peterson might be at the top of many lists, and I understand why: nobody swings like Oscar.Īlthough he started in classical music as a child prodigy, Oscar Peterson was drawn to the jazz tunes he heard on the radio at a young age. Watch this footage of Thelonious Monk performing with his Quartet Monk always played with an unapologetic, crunchy feel that is still instantly identifiable. He did so in a way that created powerful harmonic content, highlighted by his strong use of dissonance. Monk had a way of getting right to the core of harmony and melody he could strip away anything unnecessary, keeping only the most impactful notes. Monk could play like anyone he chose to his quirky, eccentric style wasn’t born out of being unable to do other things it was by choice, and I’m incredibly thankful for it. Although Monk didn’t always display conventional technique, he was a standout Juilliard graduate who also studied under the great James P. The bebop era produced some of the biggest names in jazz history and some of the most virtuosic players, like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. But, make no mistake, Thelonious Monk was a genius who held a place at the forefront of the bebop movement, which is no small feat. I don’t think Monk would be on everyone’s list because he wasn’t the flashiest player in the world.

Watch this footage of Bill Evans performing “Waltz for Debby” Thanks to his advanced musical mind and impeccable execution of modern musical ideas, Evans would remain part of the jazz vanguard as long as he lived. His early trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian recorded one of his seminal albums, Portrait in Jazz. One such record is Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, which changed the harmonic landscape of jazz by trading some harmonic complexity for melodic freedom.Įvans’ playing on this iconic modal jazz album was mind-blowing: his use of quartal harmony and cantabile right-hand lines inspired generations.Įvans continued to display his unique interpretation of harmony and melody through extensive work leading his trio. Regardless of his struggles, Evans became a leading figure in jazz, playing on some of the most influential records ever. Like many musical greats, Evans struggled with substance abuse, primarily heroin and cocaine. Art Tatum (1909 – 1956)īill Evans lived a musically brilliant but troubled life. The most difficult part is accepting that I’ll have to leave out so many worthy artists. What they each have in common is that without them, something vital is missing, and jazz doesn’t take the same path. Some influenced the technique of others, some influenced creative choices, and some pioneered entire movements. To create some distinction, I chose to add pianists who, while being amongst the most talented, had the most significant influence on jazz music. The list would never end if it were simply about being the most talented there are too many amazing pianists to consider. How I chose the greatest jazz pianists?īefore choosing any pianists for this list, I wanted to better define in my mind what it meant to be the greatest. I’ve spent the last two decades learning from the words and music of these pianists, and I imagine I’ll do so for a lifetime.

Through Monk, I developed a love for bebop, harmony, and individualism. As a pianist, Thelonious Monk inspired my passion for jazz.

Child jazz piano prodigy