A poet as well as a pianist/composer, this New Yorker was a leading light of the avant-garde movement in the late 50s and early 60s. 18 Tommy Flanagan Cowboy Bebops influences are worn broadly and proudly, but perhaps none as proudly as the tribute in episode 22, Cowboy Funk. During the commercial break, viewers are treated to the following image. Take Five is consistently regarded as the greatest Jazz tune of all time by many. More than a decade later, in 1990, he received the Kennedy Center Honors Award. BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Bebop Yoko Kanno - Wikipedia And Nat Cole ? BBC Radio 3 Not one great jazz piano played by a woman???? 32 Sonny Clark
What Is Bebop? And Why Is It Jazzs Most Important Style? If that surprises anyone. Born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Pittsburgh, Williams was a self-taught pianist who rose to fame as a teenage prodigy in the 20s. The Modern Jazz Quartet got me and countless others into modern jazz, as opposed to trad and Dixieland. Also, McCoy should be higher ranking than #6. Born and raised in Detroit, Harris, whose mother played piano in church, was an early starter, taking up his chosen instrument at the age of four. sad! For many, Detroiter Thomas Lee Flanagans name is synonymous with saxophone giant John Coltrane. Anyone who studies this music from that era cannot help but marvel at the way he played, always swinging, always melodic, always new. Where is James Williams? What was the original purpose of the spaceship Bebop? Unfortunately, there was a musicians strike which prevented all unionised musicians from recording albums between 1942 and 1944 in the US. This is even when the title has not be decided yet.[6]. Consequently, there are no recordings of early bebop as it was first developing. Cannonball Adderley and Art Blakey led other hard bop combos. Rather the genius opted to define his own style that fitted his original compositions and his improvisations. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Its worth taking a spin down the episode titles to see what hidden gems you can find for yourself. (The latter, though initially deemed a bebopper, quickly established his own unique style that defied easy categorization.). You forgot to include Mal Waldron and Paul Bley. 23 George Shearing The impact he has had in the past year and a half makes is unheard of in jazz, which is greatness in itself. He started out as jazz foremost impressionist (cf. Yoko Kanno composed the eclectic score for 'Cowboy Bebop' I cant believe that Dorothy Donegan has not been mentioned at all! [9][10][11], On many of Kanno's tracks, a woman named "Gabriela Robin" was credited as a lyricist and vocalist, but whenever these songs were performed in concert, either Maaya Sakamoto or Origa would perform them instead. And the arguing goes on! The music of Charlie Parker and me laid a foundation for all the music that is being played now. Yes. Gillespie's best-known works from this period include the songs "Oop Bob Sh' Bam," "Groovin' High," "Leap Frog," "Salt Peanuts" and "My Melancholy Baby. But jazz as a whole was losing its audience to rock and pop music. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Mabern is unique among the best jazz pianists for having begun as a drummer before switching to piano. 2 / 5 Donald Macleod focuses on the 'yin and yang' of bebop, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Tough to include Joplin, who, although he was a great composer, and, arguably the first , left no recordings, save for his ( no doubt edited ) piano roll of Maple Leaf Rag. Some popular brands she has composed for are Canon, DoCoMo, Fuji Xerox, 7-Eleven, Microsoft, Nissan, Toyota, Shiseido, Avon, and MasterCard to name a few. After leaving Miles Davis in 58, Miles called him back for a truly innovative recording: the result was Kind of Blue, the most successful jazz album of all time (artistically and commerciallystill among the top sellers in jazz). I find all of them satisfying and all inspire me in different ways.[6]. I love Bill Evans but he was not better then Bud Powell or Oscar Peterson! With his predilection for performing in an ornate style that comprised lush chords, liquid runs and complex syncopations, this Pennsylvanian from Pittsburgh was a child piano prodigy who first recorded in the 40s but blossomed spectacularly in the 50s. Disappointing to see that no one has mentioned Satoko Fujii so far. His shoes were filled by Max Roach, a percussion virtuoso who absorbed and extended Clarke's innovations. Eliane Elias, Marian McPartland, Joanne Brackeen, Hiromi etc. The songBebopby Dizzy Gillespie is a stark example of what this unique style of jazz embodies. We also hear their very different readings of 'Tea for Two' - Powell's a wildly inventive hectic dash, like something from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Monk's much more spacious and angular. Its often overlooked that Washington, DC-born Edward Kennedy Ellington was a tremendous jazz pianist with his own inimitable style. The movement originated during the early 1940s in the playing of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, guitarist Charlie Christian, pianist Thelonious Monk, drummer Kenny Clarke, and the most richly endowed of all, alto saxophonist Charlie Bird Parker. The term is well-known, but many jazz newcomers often ask: what is bebop? While i appreciate most opinions, you dont belong anywhere on this planet. Here is just a sampling of his work and there is much more on youtube. A must! I hear everyone talk about how many genres [I work in] like classical, jazz and others, but personally, I don't divide music by genre when creating. It turns out no one was really ready for, knows its iconic theme song Tank, but you might not be aware of the pedigree behind it. Like fellow jazz aristocrat Duke Ellington, Count Basies prowess at the piano was often eclipsed by his role as a successful bandleader. From 1937 to 1944, Gillespie performed with prominent swing bands, including those of Benny Carter and Charlie Barnet. For shame. To having our crowns polished, and our face up right Parece que al o los autores de la lista no les gusta el jazz ms tradicional, es una fea y equivocada discriminacin. He was possibly the greatest of all the Bop pianists. It is wonderful that so many fans discuss the pianist-list JAZZ IS ALIVE!!!!! I would move Ahmad Jamal higher on the list and include the great be-bop pianist Al Haig. In that case, why not make a list of the top 88 greatest jazz pianists ? Teddy Wilson 21 WTF? Nevertheless, we must find a way to include several outstanding persons not on the list, in my order of priority they are: Johnny Oneal, Phineas Newborn Jr, Terry Pollard and Mulgrew Miller. Mary Lou Williams? So he has to be right up there and is my favourite primarily because of his unique musicianship and his unmatched intros-beat that! Sadly, Clark was a heroin addict and died, aged 31, from a suspected (but never proven) overdose. (I think Marylou Williams should be rated higher), absolutely totally agree with thisPhineas one of the all time greats. I agree with the many serious ommissions mentioned by others. "It's a highly improvisational style and, when it comes to Cowboy Bebop, it perfectly echoes the erratic, free-wheeling and often unexpected adventures of the characters on screen. While the movie series never took off, at least it will live forever as a cult favorite and anime Easter egg. The following year, Gillespie released A Portrait of Duke Ellington (1960), an album dedicated to Ellington also featuring the work of Juan Tizol, Billy Strayhorn and Mercer Ellington, son of the legendary musician. WebBebop Composer of the Week Donald Macleod is joined by writer and broadcaster Geoffrey Smith to explore the jazz mode of bebop. As a teacher, this capable Philadelphia pianist can count Maynard Ferguson pianist Earl MacDonald, and recent Blue Note signing Aaron Parks, as his star pupils. Claude Bolling There isn't one genre I like more than the others. In the second verse, Gillespie seems to be making references to the racial elements of American society: From bebop to hip hop, back to bebop When he was 18 years old, Gillespie moved with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over the course of its 26 episodes. If you dont know her, get out there, drop whatever youre doing and listen to her, and redo this list! Just below these, in the very next level of sensitivity and deepness, Id place Fred Hersch, Ahmad Jamal, Michel Petrucciani and Marian McPartland. Augusta Read Thomas's music mixes extraordinary clarity and elegance with a bold resonant vitality. Their three studio recordings - 'Dizzy Atmosphere', 'Now's the Time' and 'Koko' - galvanized the jazz world, both with the freshness and inventiveness of the musical language and the sheer virtuosity of the playing. Any list without Billy Taylor has no credibility. Lists are worthless when they leave out folk like this: Wheres Sun Ra who was far more influential and certainly more entertaining than the vast amount of folk on this list. 30 Hank Jones Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Popular composer Burt Bacharach has died at 94. Ill say I enjoyed this list overall. the knowledge and know how are stretched throughout the entire history of jazz piano. agree bout the first ten. It seems that they get forgotten as pianists Fred Hersch? And, and, and. Then I see drums performed live, and was able to experience a beat for the first time. They include Walk On By and Anyway Im positive that Tete Montoliu should be somewhere in this list. Even simpler than MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB: Thats the way to see it ! 3 McCoy Tyner The "Cowboy Bebop" limited edition, colored vinyl features Yoko Kanno's original score. Bill Evans too high. To read our privacy and cookies policy, please click here. 15 Jelly Roll Morton 5. Donald Macleod and Geoffrey Smith explore the contributions of both men to a stellar sequence of recordings, with Charlie Christian, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Bud Powell, Thelonius Monk, Miles Davis, the Modern Jazz Quartet and Clifford Brown. I didnt even see Gene Harris on this list. It would not matter who is on the list. That's right. Claude Bolling In a stroke of fate, the universe made sure things started coming together for them exactly three years ago. Mary Lou Williams didnt make the cut? Aw, man. That was the year he recorded his debut album for Blue Note, and he went onto become one of the best jazz pianists the iconic label signed. Barbara Carroll? composer Eddie Costa This meant that soloists really had to be sharp-witted, well-prepared, and know their scales inside out, especially when the chord changes came thick and fast (as was the norm with bebop). He also often attacks the piano with brute force, though he can also play with extreme delicacy, employing staccato right-hand runs. The post bop era began in the 1960s, not the 21st century. Id include Herbie Nichols, Richard Twardzik. ALSO.. No Gene Harris! ", Of the theme tune itself, Pentreath added: "As well as being incredibly sharp, impactful jazz writing (take a listen to the big band-style opening title track, "Tank!" So by the time Bebop was heard for the first time on record, it had already developed and grown for 2 years. Thanks for publishing this. Come the frig ON! You cant have a list like this and leave off Al Haig!!!! Wheres Marian McPartland, Bill Charlap, Joe Augustine? I thought my friend was a genius. so you include Duke Ellington and keep out BILLY STRAYHORN an RED GARLAND??? He played with many greats including ART FARMER. Where is Horace Parlan? (And if you think Monk wasnt a great pianist, you dont understand a single thing about his compositions or his playing.). Hmmm, has anyone ever actually heard Scott Joplin play?? Bebop was about freedom of expression and escaping the harmonic and melodic restraints imposed by the old musical order and, thanks to what is bebop musics lasting legacy, thats something that can still be said of jazz today. Outside of his band, Lewis made many albums under his own name, the earliest in 1955. Kannos scoring work in anime isnt limited just to jazz, however. I would not put Monk at #2. And it introduced modes and greater freedom to jazz. Taken as a whole , however, I doub t there has ever been as spontaneously creative a pianist as Erroll Garner. While the shows censorship in America made sense as a cautious response to 9/11, the series struggles in Japan were another matter. Though no recordings of Joplin exist, his status as one of historys best jazz pianists is assured, thanks in part to piano rolls and sheet music from the time, illustrating his unique style, which went on to influence James P Johnson. How is it possible to have this large a list without either Chucho Valdes or Bobby Enriquez? This is a sorry list of the greatest jazz pianist. At last MUSIC IS KIND OF ART, NOT SPORT! When I create music, I don't consider at all which genre I like best, but what the scene or the anime calls for, like a love [theme] or a mood. Duke Ellington was known more as a composer. List seems a bit sexist. Many people speak of bebop as a revolution in Jazz. Oh good lord . Ellis Marsalis is a trumpet man, I believe. Seriously? For one thing, Warings usage of the philosophical term deconstructing seems very apropos to me, as I sit and listen to The!onius on his birthday. 26 James P Johnson Gillespie died on Jan. 6, 1993, at age 75, in Englewood, N.J. Gene Harris should be among the best 10!!! Though hes almost 80, Hancock still has the musical inquisitiveness of a teenager. While youre reading, listen to our Jazz Piano Classics playlist here. Gonzalo Rubalcaba Lists are silly. Mister Waring fails to mention Lester Youngs tenor sax solos with the Count Basie band of the mid-to-late 1930s. 2: Teddy Wilson A jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie played with Charlie Parker and developed the music known as "bebop." No Kenny Barron but you have that crackpot Keith Jarrett on this list? Please, As with all harmonic instruments (and probably even melodic ones) there are so many elements in playing them). Tommy Flanagan on 17th?????? But when audiences left the clubs and went home to bed, the Swing musicians instead went to jam sessions. Yes lets expand this to 88 pianists and not rank them. Cowboy Bebop: 12 Things You Never Knew About This Classic 24 Bob James The jazz world has produced an abundance of super-talented piano masters in the past 100 years many more than can be accommodated in this list of the 50 best jazz pianists of all time. Recommend Lee Konitz live at Storyville for some prime Ronnie! Click hereto find out more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGt8vcGsYfk&list=OLAK5uy_k7M-0PcT5vtPSusxNDlUYOkkVOJEwZ5vM&index=7. Grusin and James (nice people!) Can agree with the top three but not with Herbie Hancock being better than Keith Jarrett. A troubled soul, this New Jersey pianist was plagued with drug addiction problems throughout his adult life and professional career, but it didnt stop him producing a remarkably beautiful and consistent body of work. He had a flashy technique with all those runs and arpeggios, but Ive never heard him swing. Another vote for Al Haig. [4], Kanno attended Waseda University, where she majored in literature, but she transcribed music for various student groups at Waseda in her free time. There are lots of great women jazz pianists but we shouldnt put women on the list merely to be politically correct. Duke is like Monk, inimitableand of course, that partly comes from being a great composer first of all. [citation needed], (Artists ordered by year of first collaboration), Companies that have commissioned Kanno for commercial music.[24]. He gave (and still gives me) the largest goose bumps. : Thus the harmonic territory open to the jazz soloist was vastly increased. The late RANDY WESTON?! Barrons own career began with sideman stints with Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz. "Their dynamic, intuitive and confidently free-flowing playing is thrilling and infectious as a standalone listen as much as it is when it's accompanying the TV show.". :And he used all that harmonic knowledge in his playing. there is a more influence on jazz innovation than bill evans . intended). Danny Zeitlin? The details are so fine that you can see the serial number on Spikes gun in stills from theBlu-ray. Maybe others should be on the list, and maybe the order should be rearranged, but one thing you got for sure Art Tatum absolute #1! He had the most awesome LEFT HAND of any of them..and NEWSWEEK BACK IN THE LATE 70s called him the greatest jazz pianist IN AMERICA! During, s initial run on Tokyo TV, only 12 episodes aired due to violations of broadcast standards. The absence of Brad Mehldau is unforgivable I checked like 10 times to be sure I didnt just miss him. Tatum, Evans, Bud Powell. One of the main proponents of the Herbie Hancock school of jazz who played with everyone, including the Marsalisis and Kenny Garrett is a loser! 6 Cecil Taylor Hired for his impeccable musical taste and sonic eloquence, Jones myriad sideman credits ranged from Dizzy Gillespie and Dexter Gordon to Anita ODay and Marilyn Monroe. Herbie and Bud too low. Don Shirley? In a later interview, Kanno said she had picked the name because the first orchestral recording she had heard was the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and at the time Yitzhak Rabin served as Israel's Prime Minister.[12][13]. As already pointed out by other folks here, there a few important omissions: Mal Waldron, Brad Mehldau, Don Friedman, Barry Harris, Lenny Tristano, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McParland. They surely must be up there with the best. Renowned for ornate filigrees and a hard-swinging style, Peterson was a dextrous improviser. My list: Tristano contributed some extremely interesting rhythmic perspectives. Old hands playing very sweet music.. 3.- Oscar Peterson. How could you possibly leave out HIROMI UEHARA!!!!! (Fulford Street Romp and Tippin Home From Sunday School). Our music is going to be the classical music of the future.. Set in 2071, the show is centered on a motley crew of bounty hunters known as "cowboys"Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda). Have you got no heart? 9. first, it is totally wrong to make up a Top Ten List of pianists, jazz or classical. Freddie Slack If the list would be longer, I definitely would add Jimmy Rowles, Bill Charlap and Georgy Szabados. Jamal first recorded for OKeh in 1951, but it was later in the same decade when took his position among the best jazz pianists of all time, with the best-selling live album At The Pershing, which took his music to a larger audience. It represented the sentiment of 'why don't we take it easy and be more like a human being? Originally from Colorado, Grusin began releasing piano-led albums under his own name in the early 60s, a decade that also saw him break into the world of television music, where he wrote themes for numerous US TV shows. Yoko Kanno has become one of Japans foremost composers since she created the eclectic score for the anime series Cowboy Bebop. She returned for Thanks to the hyper-realistic gun designs used in the show, fans have been able to figure out exactly what heat everyone is packing. Bebop might be right in the name, but Cowboy Bebops love of music goes far beyond its title. A list of the ten greats certainly would include Theres a good case that Bill is a Top 10 pianist, but thats when the lauding should end. wont change it just the way it is. I guess the first 36 pianists are some of the best! Without a doubt I would add Phineas Newborn and Brad Mehldau to that list, and I could easily leave out Bob James and Dave Grusin. As for Dave Brubeck, I like him but wouldnt rate him at 16. 31 Michel Petrucciani Both Teddy W and Earl Hines felt he was their equal, and both are rightfully on this list. Fred Hersch is missing. TERRY TROTTER??!!! Born Conrad Clark, this piano-playing exponent of hard bop from Herminie, Pennsylvania, enjoyed a brief period under the jazz spotlight between 1955 and 1961. Use swung eighth notes but insert accents throughout the phrase to create a rhythmic element to your melody line (accenting some on and some off-beats); End the phrase with a downward movement (this is where the name Bebop comes from as the sounds bee and bop could be used to scat these melodic lines). His music tended to be chromatic and angular, and while it pushed the barriers, it also remained rooted in jazz tradition. , viewers are treated to the following image. DON PULLEN who played until his fingers bled? he was left handed and ambidextrous, he often fuses classical elements into his improvisation, this man really revolutionized jazz piano ,the no.10 Ahmad Jamal said Erroll Garner and Maurice Ravel were the supreme melodists of the 20th century, most of these top jazz pianists list will always be like art tatum- herbie hancock-bill evans so and so, I mean they are good, but people need to listen to more music.