Fox - Compendium of Over 2000 Jazz Pianists

Compendium
of Over
2000 Jazz Pianists

ARNIE FOX

Photo of Bernard Peiffer furnished by Stephan Peiffer

Copyright 2007 Arnie Fox.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

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ISBN 1-4251-1848-8

ISBN 978-1-4669-5561-5 (ebook)

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Contents

Dedicated to
S tephan Peiffer

and the memory Of
Bernard Peiffer

Don Glanden

Jazz pianists everywhere pursue their art in small clubs and bars, where they are often free to develop improvisational skill but seldom in the presence of an attentive audience. The opportunities to perform in concert halls, or in clubs dedicated solely to jazz, are coveted but are much too rare for the majority of jazz musicians. Much of the development in the playing of individual musicians occurs with few listeners sharing in the creative experience. Of course, a musician doesnt require the presence of an attentive audience to enter into a deep musical experience. However, when there are people present who listen intently, are moved by the music, and respond, another dimension of involvement is added-a rewarding one that enriches the player and listener alike.

Whenever Arnie Fox goes to listen in a club, he raises the level of communication between performer and audience. His extraordinary focus on the content of the music encourages musicians to experience a high level of engagement, regardless of the setting. He often takes notes, asks questions about repertoire, and makes many observations about style, technique, rhythmic approach, and historical perspective. Im sure that countless jazz pianists (including myself) have been encouraged to look up from the instrument and see Arnie with his wife, Diana, listening to every note. One such pianist, the great Bernard Peiffer, inspired Compendium of Over 2000 Jazz Pianists. Peiffers remarkable playing at the Woodland Inn near Philadelphia in 1961 stunned Arnie, and motivated him to produce a work that would bring much deserved attention to many extraordinary but lesser know pianists.

With the explosion of information on the Internet, easy access to an extensive amount of musical documentation has become a reality. Discographies, biographies, career itineraries, and critical documentation through archived reviews are available to serious researchers, jazz aficionados, and casual fans. What makes Compendium of Over 2000 Jazz Pianists special is its personal approach and the underlying motivation of the author. The book provides an extensive list of jazz pianists, each of whom has been researched personally by Arnie Fox, who invested hundreds of hours of critical listening to this project. Also included is the recommendation of a single representative recording for each pianist. The book fulfills the authors objective, to provide readers with an introduction to the work of many creative musicians that may have been overlooked in the readers own listening experience.

Compendium of Over 2000 Jazz Pianists will be a welcome addition to the libraries of jazz piano aficionados. It is a wonderful source for motivated listeners looking to expand their knowledge of the many musicians who have contributed to the art of jazz piano. Thank you, Arnie Fox, for your commitment to this project, and for your desire to share your enthusiasm and dedication to jazz with others.

Don Glanden

Division Head, Graduate Jazz Studies

Coordinator, Piano Studies

The University of the Arts

Philadelphia, PA

January 28, 2007

To create a database for jazz pianists is an ongoing process since there are more and more jazz pianists coming onto the scene every day. This makes the task an impossible project, but one that I will attempt to tackle with further compendi-ums. I want to make everyone aware of the great talent that is out there and has not been exposed due to the lack of marketing and or financial resources to have their works known.

By listing the various jazz pianists and their albums and CDs, I hope that every musician will seek out their work to learn from their unusual and individualistic styles so that they can experience their unique talent as I have done. Most musicians are unable to concentrate on their profession exclusively due to the lack of gigs available and the low pay. Therefore, they must have another source of income in order to sustain themselves in this creative art form.

When I first started this project, I never realized how much talent there was out there. My main purpose is to make you aware of the various artists and you can determine which ones suit your fancy. I personally relate to those artists who keep the melody line in tact, but I can appreciate all forms of jazz when I listen to the album more than once and therefore acquire a taste for other forms of piano playing other than the Tatum style.

The database is merely a guide to the many artists out there. It is in no way a list of their best albums. It is merely a reference point to look up a particular artist. Most of these records can be purchased at a record store, but many must be found at out-of-print record shops.

Some that are listed can be ordered at www.cdbaby.com . You may also find out that many artists are selling their CDs through their own website. The artist makes more money this way and usually discounts the CDs purchased depending upon the quantity sold.

The following pianists have great technique and style and are among my many favorites (in alphabetical order): Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Albany, Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Gordon Beck, Richie Beirach, Armand Boatman, Claude Bolling, Joanne Brackeen, Evans Bradshaw, Dave Brubeck, Ray Bryant, John Bunch, Joe Bushkin, Eddie Cano, Barbara Carroll, Bill Charlap, Herman Chittison, Nat King Cole, Cy Coleman, Chick Corea, Johnny Costa, Stanley Cowell, Blossom Dearie, Lorraine Desmarais, Dorothy Donegan, Kenny Drew, Duke Ellington, Bobby Enriquez, Bill Evans, Don Ewell, Irving Fields, Tommy Flanagan, Russ Freeman, Don Friedman, Dave Frishberg, Red Garland, Erroll Garner, Don Glanden, Conley Graves, Johnny Guarnieri, Herbie Hancock, Sir Roland Hanna, Barry Harris, Gene Harris, Hampton Hawes, Earl Fatha Hines, Dick Hyman, Calvin