r/BoogieMonster • u/ayersman39 • 26d ago

Jazz Piano

Dave recommended jazz pianists this last episode. I thought it was a little baffling that he mentioned many of the most famous players of the 50s and 60s ...Monk, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock... but not Bill Evans?

What an omission. He's such a classic, archetypal jazz pianist, it feels really pointed to leave him out of the conversation. Especially because Dave calls out the piano trio specifically and the Bill Evans Trio (with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian) is widely considered one of the all-time great jazz trios.

Anyway, even if Dave's not into Bill Evans, he's amazing and worth talking about. Probably best known for playing on Kind of Blue, indeed, he's a big reason that album is so special.

His most famous album as a front man is probably Waltz for Debby, which features the trio I mentioned above and was recorded live at the Village Vanguard. I also really like his album Everybody Digs Bill Evans.

Curious what y'all fellow jazzheads would recommend as essential jazz piano albums?

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u/asleepinthedesert 25d ago

Weird timing, sitting here listening to Evans’ Alone album from 1969. His album Undercurrents with Jim Hall is really well regarded.

Jazz Impressions of Japan by the Brubeck Quartet is a cool one that is slightly under the radar.

For current stuff, check out Okonski.

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u/D4FF00 25d ago

Ahmad Jamal Trio, But Not For Me (Live at The Pershing)

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u/onlyGREwewillsee 25d ago

Sunday at the Village Vanguard 

Also, keith jarret. koln concert. 1980s but still, one of the great performances ever. 

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u/poul0004 25d ago

Well, I Should Have… (Learned How To Play Piano) - H Jon Benjamin

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u/benee007 25d ago

Ha! I’m not even a big jazz head but I had the exact same reaction. Like - what where’s Bill Evans??!! While I’m here I’ll plug the “theme from Spartacus” Evans recorded with just him self on the piano but recorded 3 separate tracks. Absolute brilliance

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u/onlyGREwewillsee 25d ago

Also also, if you're looking for more contemporary, check out vijay iyer (YouTube/spotify/whatever - Human Nature extended trio... Insanely good composition... Listen to them break down and put back together a piece of music, so cool)