Who's a better piano player?

[SpeedoGuy]

Without a doubt: Bill Evans

 

[Skull Mason]

ummm HELLO Eddie Van Halen on keyboards...

 

[midlifebear]

I'm sure your poll is well-intentioned, but you didn't include me, Midlifebear, who suffered and conquered 20 years of classical concert keyboard training. And by golly I'm still damn good. After all, you know what they say about guys with real big hands. We can hammer out big intervals -- in my case 15 keys, about one key more than Gershwin. We also wear big gloves.

After me, there's Emanuel Ax. A nice guy who is a bit too preoccupied with Ravel. But there's nothing wrong with that.

Anyone else out there who can flawlessly improvise on Tausig's idea of arpeggios and scales? Very Zen. Not familiar with Tausig? Do a Google.

Cheers to you all in G minor and nothing but diminished sevenths (I said diminished sevenths, NOT augmented sixths. . . hurrrumph)!

 

[JustAsking]

Without a doubt: Bill Evans

No doubt whatsoever. Village Vanguard - simply magical.

 

[D_Sylvester Poleclimber]

you guys forgot me on that list

 

[JustAsking]

Hank Jones and Dave Bruebeck are two of my favorites. Someone gave me the Time Out album when I was 14 and I discovered jazz piano.

 

[D_Gunther Snotpole]

Wait, there is one other candidate, though he is truly a Jazz specialist. The late great Oscar Peterson could play circles and sixty fourth notes around any of the above.

Absolutely. No one covered the keys, and no one swung, like Oscar.

Vladimir Horowitz

You're bending the category a bit, but Vlad had to be one of the three or four greatest of the last century.

John whats-his-name. He even made a few albums. No, not Tesh, it's somebody else.

Good tip. I'll watch out for him.

This list doesn't even come near to considering the best piano players of all time. Some of these may be your favorites, but the list of jazz and classical pianists that greatly surpass these musicians in talent and ability is pages long...too long to list here.

Greatly surpassing Oscar and Vlad?
I'd like to see the list.

You forgot:
Marvin Hamlisch
Liberace
Barry Manilow
Burt Bacharach

You're joking, right, NJ?:biggrin1:

Without a doubt: Bill Evans

Wonderful pianist. And very original.
Big, big influence.

I'm sure your poll is well-intentioned, but you didn't include me, Midlifebear, who suffered and conquered 20 years of classical concert keyboard training. And by golly I'm still damn good. After all, you know what they say about guys with real big hands. We can hammer out big intervals -- in my case 15 keys, about one key more than Gershwin. We also wear big gloves.

Fifteen keys. That's two octaves. The only other person I've heard allegedly capable of that was Rachmaninoff.

Cheers to you all in G minor and nothing but diminished sevenths (I said diminished sevenths, NOT augmented sixths. . . hurrrumph)!

You should see my Heir in a G-string.
Already stuffed ... and one day he will be rich.
Not.

 

[Mr. Snakey]

Mike Garson

 

[drumstyck]

Ben Folds.

 

[camper joe]

I can't believe no one has brought up the Killer Jerry Lee Lewis.

 

[Mr. Snakey]

I can't believe no one has brought up the Killer Jerry Lee Lewis.

Yes he was good.

 

[canuck_pa]

Glen Gould

 

[Riven650]

They all play their own music best would be my answer. After that, it's a taste thing really. The guys you ask about play 'rock' or 'pop' piano, and I love their music, but each of them would probably agree that they don't play anything particularly complex. And that isn't to say that they don't have feel. They do, which is why they are big name musicians. However, I'm sure they would all be in awe the superior technical skill and complexity of Oscar Peterson or the superior technical skill and sublime minimalism of Bill Evans. One of the most exciting pianists around today is Jamie Cullen. I'd be interested to know how he'd answer your question. Whatever he says would do for me :smile:

 

[drumstyck]

these guys

YouTube - piano playing

 

[tripod]

HERBIE HANCOCK!!!!

 

[nitzaski]

Mike Garson should be on the list -

Mike Garson | Pianist | Composer | Music | MP3 | Bowie | Jazz | Rock



(Elton %$£%ing John ffs!)

 

[lorne]

Victor Borga

 

[crescendo69]

They all play their own music best would be my answer. After that, it's a taste thing really. The guys you ask about play 'rock' or 'pop' piano, and I love their music, but each of them would probably agree that they don't play anything particularly complex. And that isn't to say that they don't have feel. They do, which is why they are big name musicians. However, I'm sure they would all be in awe the superior technical skill and complexity of Oscar Peterson or the superior technical skill and sublime minimalism of Bill Evans. One of the most exciting pianists around today is Jamie Cullen. I'd be interested to know how he'd answer your question. Whatever he says would do for me :smile:

My exact thoughts about Oscar/Bill. I'll have to check out Jamie Cullen.
After listening to NPR's "Piano Jazz" since the early 80's, I have heard many an interviewed pianist (mostly jazz) state that Oscar and Bill were among their most major influences.

Although Elton John is very popular, I just am not fascinated by his keyboard playing. It is his voice that gets my attention.

 

[cason]

Ladies and gentlemen..... Rowlf!


YouTube - Rowlf the Dog and Fozzie Bear with a candelabra

 

[camper joe]

Liberace anyone???