 | Stormy Weather by Art Tatum
Buy used from: $12.87 Monk, who runs a close second on this list, wouldn't have happened without Tatum happening first. There's no pianist more engrossing to listen to play solo than Tatum. He'll blow your mind....
|
 | Big Band and Quartet in Concert by Thelonious Monk
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $5.16 If being a great jazz artist means creating your own conception, from composition to improvisatory style, Monk is the greatest of all time. Just about any of his albums is essential, but this one is a personal favourite,sublime big band arrangements plus selections from Monk's quartet with Charlie Rouse....
|
 | Far East Suite by Duke Ellington
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $4.00 I love Duke's piano. On any Duke album. But this album is particularly kickin' and includes a great piano feature, "Ad Lib on Nippon".....
|
 | That's a Plenty by Earl Fatha Hines
Buy used from: $123.80 His "Blues in Thirds" with Sidney Bechet marked the birth of modern small-group jazz. These Quadromania sets are a great place to start on many of these swing-era artists: so much great music, nicely packaged, for so little money.
|
 | Elmo Hope Trio by Elmo Hope Trio
Buy used from: $6.99 The most underrated of the underrated. All his recorded appearances are interesting, but this is one of the best-recorded examples of his snaky, intricate compositions and achingly personal style. Plus a fantastic performance from drummer Frank Butler, who is totally in sync....
|
 | Introducing by Carl Perkins
Buy new: $15.49 / Used from: $46.04 His work with the Curtis Counce Group even knocks this fine album out of the water. Start with the album You Get More Bounce with Curtis Counce.
|
 | Don't Blame Me by Teddy Wilson
Buy new: $10.98 / Used from: $29.00 The most elegant and accomplished pianist of the swing era, Wilson's sound is still heard in the styles of all those Bill Evans acolytes. The small-group recordings with Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton are especially cool.
|
 | The Quest by Mal Waldron with Eric Dolphy and Booker Ervin
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $7.99 Also check out two great appearances by Waldron as a sideman, Reflections, by Steve Lacy and Funky by Gene Ammons. If Art Tatum said a lot with a lot of notes, Waldron says a lot with a few.
|
 | The Cats by John Coltrane
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $5.98 Tommy Flanagan, you say? He drove so many classic sessions with taste, swing and style...... I should also give props here to some pianists who didn't make this list, like Jaki Byard, Hank Jones, Gerry Wiggins, etc., so many greats who never quite became household names....
|
 | Kelly Blue by Wynton Kelly Trio & Sextet
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.75 Wynton Kelly was the ultimate sideman, brightening up the sounds of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Blue Mitchell and so many others. Kelly's playing is joyous and swinging, the sound of happiness.
|
 | America's #1 Band: The Columbia Years by Count Basie
Buy new: $44.98 / Used from: $27.99 This is a Top Ten list ... plus Count Basie, whose piano playing is frequently viewed as too minimalist. But, man, could he drive a band. He merits inclusion as one of my favourite jazz pianists.....
|
Listmania!
