Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Do you like any of these early forms of jazz piano?

I included a famous example or two of each "kind". For me, these kinds of jazz music serve a completely different purpose than classical. I think it's main purpose is pure fun.

Jelly Roll Morton(sounds like stride to me, but others have told me it's different):
Maple Leaf Stomp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4NPqhD0-nw

Stride
James P.Johnson:Carolina Shout
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKTpobVidw&feature=fvst
Fats Waller:Handful of Keys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRKTpobVidw&feature=fvst

Boogie Woogie
Ammons: Swanee River Boogie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ojt7e88g2I

New Orleans Style
James Booker:On the Sunny Side of the Street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp4mnVQsGfQ&feature=player_embedded

Art Tatum
Tea for Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKb0Sc2lYVU

what not to like? they're foundations of rock and roll but I guess this is wrong forum for boogie woogie...

Of course! If you don't like Art Tatum there's something wrong!

About half of what I listen to and play is jazz. However mostly from the 50's and 60's on (Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, et al.).

But, these pianists were the innovators of the day and their work can be heard in almost all pianists that came after them, regardless of how modern their approach is.

It's well known that contemporaries such as Horowitz, Rubinstein, Rachmaninoff, and Godowsky were all blown away by Tatum's playing.

Ah yes, Art Tatum... I like him because his left hand is as interesting as his right, which is not the case with stride pianists in general! Anyway, since *someone else* broached the J-topic on this forum I will post this, and send best wishes to everyone who is looking for work at the moment!

well, I don't like his playing. He overplays, sounds impressive but it's hard to listen for long.



were they?

Yes.

(I forgot we're not allowed to appreciate how talented jazz musicians are)

Yes, they were, but I do not care for Tatum's playing, either. I like the others better.

I don't listen to him regularly, but from a technical standpoint he is unrivaled.

All excellent! - suggestion - Earl Hines

Earl Hines used to live near me. I only tuned for him once, though, not long before he died.

For me, he's unrivaled from a musical standpoint as well.

I think Tatum's virtuosity is like Liszt's compositions' virtuosity: the first thing you notice perhaps, but in the end, just part of the vocabulary. What the vocabulary expresses, in Tatum's case, is (for me) always rich and subtle, especially in its unexpected harmonies and deft rhythms.

I have this seven disc set-- it's revelatory.

-J

So true. His whole concept of soloing paved the way for so many. Bud Powell was the next great innovator that brought the bebop vocabulary developed by Bird and Diz to the piano.

Going forward in history a little more, Herbie Hancock is the pianist that most inspires me. His way of thinking of the changes of a tune and voicing the chords is absolutely mind-blowing to me. His solos exude a very advanced knowledge of harmony, and even classical music in the way they are constructed.

Take for example his solo on this tune (starting around :49)

That's a tough chart to play though as it is, and his solo is just unreal.

Very well stated-- about the harmonies and rhythm.

I asked a friend for an Art Tatum CD for Christmas (since he asked), but I got a blanket with a reindeer on it instead.

But then my employer gave me an Amazon gift certificate. So there is hope.

nice solo, but don't hear anything unreal...
Regarding Tatum I agree he was master of noodling.

To each his own.

I'll continue to strive to be even 1/100th of the player Art, Herbie, or any of my other piano idols are.

There are other pianist besides Art Tatum who had or have incredible chops, but I prefer their musicality. Dorothy Donegan and Bobby Enriques really floored me when I heard them, but sadly, they are gone. But Hirome and Gonzalo Rubalcaba are still around, and although I think of him as more of a musician than a pianist, Dave Brubeck does things that leave me in awe.

I loved the Jelly Roll Morton and the James Booker, and the boogie woogie was terrific! I like a lot of Fats Waller, but this isn't one of my favorites. But in general, these are my kind of music

Thanks for posting them.

Cathy

You didn't seriously mean that?

I think all lovers of classical piano playing should study the great jazz pianists, there is much to enjoy and benefit from.

Fats Waller is probably my favourite. I'm not a big fan of Tatum -despite claims made here- but I've collected recordings of Bill Evans, Thelonius Monk, Fred Hersch and Bud Powell. Incredible stuff. And the great Brazilian pianist Tete Montoliu is not to be missed!

Edit: BDB mentioned Dorothy Donegan. Yes, I have heard her recordings, and I think BDB is correct in his assessment.

I love all things related to ragtime, stride, etc. I've got sheet music for Jelly Roll Morton's piano works and Fats Waller's solos, and I've played through practically half of Joplin's rags.

I listen to Art Tatum all the time and I love his playing. It sometimes makes me a bit sad to think that I won't ever be as technically proficient (or anywhere near that) as he was, but I stick more towards traditional ragtime and stride anyway so his playing is in a different league from mine.

Tete Montoliú wa spanish, not brazilian ... as catalonian as it gets!