From the end of the 19th century to the present day, these are the key pianists that form the backbone of jazz. What do you think? Drop us a line to tell us how you’d do it info@everythingjazz.com.
Jelly Roll Morton (1890-1941)
The New Orleans pianist, famous for his “stomps”, was present at the birth of jazz.
Duke Ellington (1899-1974)
Duke Ellington was an extremely influential figure in the development of jazz music as a bandleader, composer and pianist since the 1920s.
Earl Hines (1903-1983)
A pioneer of jazz piano beloved by musicians and fans alike.
Count Basie (1904-1984)
One of the true jazz architects, Count Basie was the “King of Swing”.
Fats Waller (1904-1943)
The composer of the classic song “Ain’t Misbehavin'” was a huge star in his day – Waller was known for his ‘stride’ playing, where the left hand accompaniment jumps around the keyboard to create drama and energy.
Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981)
As well as being a phenomenal pianist and skilled composer and arranger for the biggest jazz stars of her day, Mary Lou Williams was a trailblazing record label owner.
Thelonious Monk (1917-1982)
Monk’s style of piano playing is instantly recognisable – angular, rhythmic and percussive, he exists in a musical world of his own and was responsible for writing the classic standard “‘Round Midnight”.
Lennie Tristano (1919-1978)
Tristano was a brilliant pianist, composer and teacher who had an extremely flexible style of playing – he’s often thought of as the ‘pianist’s pianist’
Dave Brubeck (1920–2012)
Dave Brubeck was one of the most innovative pianists and composers in jazz history, his piece “Take Five” became his calling card.
Erroll Garner (1921-1977)
A virtuosic pianist, Garner is also responsible for writing one of the most enduring jazz standards of all time: “Misty”.
Bud Powell (1924-1966)
Earl Rudolph “Bud” Powell is widely regarded as one of the most formative pianists in jazz history and a standout player of the bebop era.
Red Garland (1923-1984)
Born in Dallas, Texas, William ‘Red’ Garland was a key member of the first Miles Davis quintet.
Oscar Peterson (1925–2007)
Oscar Peterson was a Canadian pianist and a pivotal figure in jazz, dubbed “the Maharajah of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington.
Horace Silver (1928–2014)
Horace Silver was an American pianist, composer and arranger best known for his association with The Jazz Messengers and his hard bop playing style. Many of Silver’s compositions have become jazz standards, most notably his “Song for my Father”.
Bill Evans (1929–1980)
Bill Evans was one of the most influential jazz pianists of the 20th century. The New Jersey native made a mark on jazz history with his impressionist, melodic style, and is regarding as the father of the modern jazz piano trio.
Cecil Taylor (1929–2018)
Cecil Taylor was a visionary American pianist, poet and composer, regarded as an originator of avant-garde and free jazz.
Ahmad Jamal (1930–2023)
Ahmad Jamal’s virtuosic but never overpowering approach to the piano was characterised by a refined touch, impeccable phrasing, and a masterful use of space and dynamics.
Wynton Kelly (1931-1971)
Wynton Kelly is best remembered for his part on the best selling jazz record of all time – Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” – but his blues influenced playing saw him work with many of jazz’s biggest stars.
Sonny Clark (1931–1963)
Sonny Clark was an American pianist and composer, a defining figure of the hard bop era, known for his definitive appearances on Blue Note through the 1950s and 1960s.
Andrew Hill (1931–2007)
Andrew Hill was an innovative American jazz pianist and composer, regarded as a singular voice in the development of post-bop.
Duke Pearson (1932–1980)
Duke Pearson was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Blue Note catalogue in the 1960s.
Paul Bley (1932-2016)
The Canadian pianist was a huge figure in the free jazz movement and made extensive use of early synthesisers.
Bobby Timmons (1935-1974)
A key member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Bobby Timmons’ playing is under recognised, largely due to his untimely death at the age of just 38.
Carla Bley (1936-2023)
Carla Bley was an important composer and player of free jazz who founded her own record label.
Alice Coltrane (1937–2007)
Alice Coltrane was the most influential jazz harpist of all time. She was also a brilliant pianist, bandleader and composer.
McCoy Tyner (1938–2020)
McCoy Tyner was one of the most popular pianists and composers in modern jazz. Tyner made a name for himself in the 1960s as a piano player for John Coltrane’s famous quartet.
Joanne Brackeen (1938-)
Brackeen is a hugely respected pianist and teacher who has played with many jazz legends. She is the only woman to have been hired by Art Blakey.
Herbie Hancock (1940-)
Herbie Hancock is one of the key architects of post-bop and jazz fusion. The pianist, bandleader and composer joined the influential Miles Davis Quintet in the 1960s, and in the 1970s started experimenting with rock and funk influences in his Mwandishi and Headhunters groups.
Chick Corea (1941–2021)
Armando Anthony “Chick” Corea was an influential piano and keyboard player, and a pivotal figure in jazz fusion and beyond.
Keith Jarrett (1945-)
Keith Jarrett is one of the most revered jazz and classical pianists and composers, best known for his virtuosic solo improvisations.
Kenny Barron (1943-)
A prolific composer as well as a widely recorded pianist, Kenny Barron has penned over 50 originals.
Kenny Kirkland (1955-1998)
A hugely versatile player, Kenny Kirkland worked extensively with the Marsalis brothers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Geri Allen (1957–2017)
The Geri Allen Trio, led by jazz pianist and composer Geri Allen, reimagined the classic trio into a modern, freewheeling configuration alongside Ron Carter and Tony Williams.
Renee Rosnes (1962-)
The Canadian pianist has collaborated with the likes of Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter and is a founder member of ARTEMIS.
Michael Petrucciani (1962-1999)
The French pianist quickly made a name for himself as a powerful, virtuosic, heavily swinging player.
Esbjörn Svensson (1964-2008)
The classically trained Swedish pianist was one of the few musicians to become famous in both the USA and Europe with his high powered trio e.s.t. He died tragically young in a scuba diving accident.
Bill Charlap (1966-)
Bill Charlap is an American pianist, producer and bandleader, best known for his unique interpretations of standards with his trio since the 1990s.
Brad Mehldau (1970-)
Mehldau began his career working with Joshua Redman but has made his name with lyrical, cerebral takes on jazz, pop and rock classics with his own trio.
Ethan Iverson (1973-)
Ethan Iverson (born 1973) is an American pianist, composer and music critic who was part of the revered avant-jazz trio The Bad Plus.
Jason Moran (1975-)
The Texan pianist is at home in many styles, from avant-garde to hiphop and leads his trio The Bandwagon.
Robert Glasper (1978-)
Robert Glasper is a pianist, producer, composer and a key figure in contemporary Black music.
Hiromi Uehara (1979-)
Hiromi is a Japanese pianist and composer whose lightning-fast technique and energetic performances have marked her out as one the most unique contemporary jazz players.
Ready to build or expand your collection? Make sure you’re listening to the best, choose from our hand picked collection of outstanding piano albums. And don’t just take our word for it, we took some tips from Jeff Goldblum, Harold López-Nussa, Gerald Clayton, and Jon Batiste.
