Famous Pianists
Below you will find links to quick biographies of famous pianists from the worlds of Classical, Jazz, Blues and Rock.
Classical Piano
Famous Baroque Era Composers/Pianists
Though many of the pieces from the Baroque era were written for the harpsichord, they survive today as an integral part of classical piano music.
More about Baroque Composers: Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Telemann, Rameau, Purcell
Famous Classical Era Pianists/Composers
During this period much of what we think of as "classical piano" was composed.
More about the Classical Period Composers: Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Clementi
Famous Romantic Era Pianists/Composers
During this period "classical" music began to spread beyond Europe, and towards the end of this period a "nationalism" movement started to grow. Some of the great composers of this era include Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt. Later composers include Wagner, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak and Grieg.
Famous 20th Century Pianists/Composers
Notable composers of the 20th century include Schoenberg, Ives, Bartok, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev.
More about 20the Century Composers: Schoenberg, Ives, Bartok, Stravinsky, Prokofiev,
Famous Jazz Pianists
Famous Early Jazz Pianists
Scott Joplin is the most famous ragtime pianist, and his desire was to be remembered as a composer. His wish is granted, as he is best known for "The Entertainer," a piece of music that most everyone knows.
One of the most famous (and infamous) pianists from this early jazz era was Ferd "Jelly Roll" Morton, who claimed to have "invented" jazz and jazz piano.
Learn more about Early Jazz Pianists: Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton
Famous Jazz Pianists of the Stride Era
Stride was essentially a solo piano jazz form, but some pianists used stride in a group setting. Some of the best known stride players were James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith, and Fats Waller.
More about the Stride Piano Masters: James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Fats Waller
Famous Jazz Pianists of the Swing Era
Along with Duke Ellington and Count Basie, other swing era pianists include Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum.
Famous Jazz Pianists of the Be-Bop Era
Though alto saxophonist Charlie Parker ("Bird") and trumpeter "Dizzy" Gillespie are the "godfathers" of bop, pianists such as Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Hank Jones also played a great role.
More about Be Bop Pianists: Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Hank Jones
Famous Jazz Pianists of the Hard Bop Era
Some greats of jazz piano in the "Hard Bop" era include Horace Silver, Wynton Kelly, Bobby Timmons, Red Garland, and Tommy Flanagan.
Famous Jazz Pianists of the Post-Bop Era
From the huge, powerful crashing chords of McCoy Tyner, to the soft introspective close chording of Bill Evans. From the funky grooves of Herbie Hancock to the sophisticated two handed technique of George Shearing. From the intellectual rhythmic approach of Dave Brubeck to the free explorations of Keith Jarrett. And then there's the guy who does it all, Oscar Peterson.
Famous Latin Jazz Pianists
Some greats in Latin jazz piano include Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Michel Camillo, Monty Alexander, Eliane Elias and Chucho Valdez.
More about Latin Jazz Pianists
Famous Contemporary Jazz Pianists
Contemporary jazz is music with many flavors and directions. Chick Corea's classical and Latin inspirations influenced almost everyone who followed. Some of today's jazz piano greats include Henry Butler, Geri Allen, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Green, Marcus Roberts, Bill Charlap, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall and Brad Melhdau.
More about Contemporary Jazz Pianists
Famous Blues Pianists
Famous Early Blues Pianists
Blues music first developed toward the end of the nineteenth century. Black field hands, sharecroppers, levy workers and lumbermen mixed their spirituals, folk songs and work songs to create a new music. What evolved was a 12 measure song form built loosely around a I-IV-V chord progression, becoming a standard progression used today in jazz, rock and country as well as blues.
More about early blues pianists: George and Hersal Thomas, Clarence Williams, Cow Cow Davenport
Famous Boogie-Woogie Blues Pianists
In 1938, a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson, set off a new boogie woogie craze that lasted into the early '50's.
Famous Jump Blues Pianists
"Jump blues" became the dance music of the post-war period, and was the precursor to the Rock and Roll music of the 1950's.
Famous New Orleans Blues Pianists
In New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, is also the place where early blues got a start. In New Orleans the piano remained a driving force in the local music scene, shaping the sound of the jazz, blues, R&B and rock and roll that originated there.
Famous Chicago Blues Pianists
In Chicago, the blues became electrified, and piano was a part of the blues band sound that also featured guitars, harmonicas, bass and drums.
Famous Rock Pianists
Famous Early Rock Pianists
Early rock and roll piano was based on boogie woogie and blues, but played faster and harder. All of the early major rock pianists were influenced by the boogie-woogie craze that swept America in the late 1930's, and continued into the 1950's.
Famous 60's Rock Pianists
In the 1960's, rock pianists were finding inspiration from other sources besides boogie and blues. Gospel, country and standards were influencing pianists. The world of rock piano/keyboard included the pop music of the day.
Famous 70's Rock Pianists
In the 1970's, rock pianists diversified further. Many of the pianists' styles of the '60's were still evolving, and new artists were changing the music.
Read about Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie....
Read about Steely Dan's Donald Fagen....
Read about Little Feat's Bill Payne....
Read about The Allman Brother's and The Rolling Stone's Chuck Leavell....
What two people come to mind as "rock pianists" more often than anyone else? Elton John and Billy Joel are what people think of when they think "rock piano."
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