5 Great Jazz Pianists to Recommend to your Beginning Piano Player
Any beginning jazz pianist (or beginning jazz musician) will benefit greatly from listening to recordings of the masters on their instrument. Aside from the absorption of vocabulary and rhythmic elements unique to jazz, they can explore a myriad of styles and techniques that will help them find their own personal tastes and guide them through their development as musicians.
In this post, we’ve outlined five figureheads of jazz piano whose musical approaches will offer great learning opportunities and - no doubt - lots of motivation for your beginning piano player.
1) Art Tatum
Any jazz novice’s listening experience should begin with this master of the stride solo piano style. Students will be introduced to the concept of jazz piano existing as a force equal to that of an entire rhythm section rather than just within the bounds of a big band or small group. Our tune recommendation for this jazz piano giant is the burning “Tiger Rag.”
2) Bud Powell
Bud Powell truly was the pinnacle of bebop piano. His influence has lived on in the playing of jazz musicians of every instrument. His association with other prolific bebop musicians such as saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie solidifies him as an essential for introducing this language to your beginning jazz pianist. We recommend the tune “Wail” off his 1952 record The Amazing Bud Powell.
3) Mary Lou Williams
Known as one of the most revered female figures in jazz, Mary Lou Williams’ expertise touched on multiple eras of the tradition, from bebop up to the the free jazz movement. She released an incredible body of compositional work and made her mark on what is often considered a male-dominated art form. Check her out on “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from her record Black Christ of the Andes released in 1964.
4) Bill Evans
If any jazz pianist could be greatly defined by his sensitive touch and lyricism while also being a monster of swing, it would be Bill Evans. His playing holds a unique beauty that clearly communicates the endless harmonic possibilities on the instrument. These elements and more are fantastically demonstrated in his rendition of “My Foolish Heart” from his trio album Waltz For Debby released in 1961.
5) Herbie Hancock
Rounding out the list is a jazz pianist whose forays into funk, fusion, and rock earn him mass appeal from beginners and jazz aficionados alike. Students will likely become familiar with some of his compositions that are beginner-friendly and teach the foundations of blues form and improvisation. His musical prowess and versatility as a musician leaves something for everyone whether you prefer to groove or to swing. Check out the former on his tune “Sly” off the renowned Head Hunters album from 1973.