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January 2005:
More than any other
instrument, I am enthralled with the piano. During the 1950s and
1960s
there were a number of key players that appeared on the New York jazz
scene. Tommy Flanagan and Kenny Drew were both working with
tenor saxophonist John Coltrane
in the late 1950s. Drew (whose son works with Eric Alexander today) was
featured on the 1957 Blue Train album recorded for Blue Note
Records. This album is the number
one seller in the Blue Note catalog. Flanagan was featured on 1959s
Giant Steps album recorded for Atlantic Records. He didn’t
realize that Coltrane was going to play the melody of the title track so fast, so on his own solo Flanagan just plays
chord progressions (he didn’t have the time to craft a true solo statement).
Philadelphia-born Kenny Barron was quite active starting in 1959 as
well. Jaki Byard was working with Charles Mingus at the time. When my
Grandfather went for a lesson with Jaki in the 1950s (while a student at
Schillinger House of Music in Boston), Byard was so
surprised that he arrived on time. He said, “no one ever shows up on
time”.
The 1960s gave rise to Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. When my Uncle knew Corea as a youngster
in Chelsea, Massachusetts, he lent him some money (a nominal amount) and never
was paid back. Chick, who went by Armen back them, would have no
problem paying my Uncle back today (with interest) because he has had so
much commercial success. Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon is featured on Herbie’s first
album as a leader. His playing on the track Watermelon Man is classic.
Three other well known pianists from this era are Randy Weston (composer
of Little Niles), Bill Evans, and Alice Coltrane. My favorite
piece by Alice is Something About John Coltrane.
Today’s new generation of
piano superstars include James Hurt, Eric Reed, and the young Jason
Moran. For a more avant-garde perspective, check out Marilyn Crispell
and Myra Melford. Bill Charlap and Geri Allen cover many different
styles and should be included on this short list. The New School
University Jazz and Contemporary Music Program in New York City has a
number of talented pianists teaching courses and private lessons. The
faculty includes Richie Beirach, Gary Dial, Fred Hirsch, Armen Donelian,
Gerard D’Angelo, Peter Zak, Lee Ann Ledgerwood, Francesca Tanksley,
Joann Brackeen, and Haim Cotton. I would look out for all of these
pianists if you are ever in the big apple and hope to hear live jazz at
a top notch club in the city.
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