I'm currently rediscovering a beautiful series called Piano Jazz with longtime host Marian McPartland. For NPR in the States (somewhat equivalent to the BBC I guess), she did lots of hour-long shows with up-and-coming or established jazz musicians and they talked about life, music, and all sorts.
It's like Desert Island Discs, but only with musicians, and they just decide to play a few tunes every so often. Currently listening to the Roy Hargrove one (thankfully this was likely recorded before he got too strung out on heroin/crack or whatever he does, which is tragic):
- Norah Jones - Bill Evans (very technical - some mad shit in there, great if you're a musician) - Hiromi - Oscar Peterson (both of them) - Brad Mehldau - Harry Connick Jr - Alicia Keys(!) - Michel Petrucciani
I'm currently rediscovering a beautiful series called Piano Jazz with longtime host Marian McPartland. For NPR in the States (somewhat equivalent to the BBC I guess), she did lots of hour-long shows with up-and-coming or established jazz musicians and they talked about life, music, and all sorts.
It's like Desert Island Discs, but only with musicians, and they just decide to play a few tunes every so often. Currently listening to the Roy Hargrove one (thankfully this was likely recorded before he got too strung out on heroin/crack or whatever he does, which is tragic):
- Norah Jones - Bill Evans (very technical - some mad shit in there, great if you're a musician) - Hiromi - Oscar Peterson (both of them) - Brad Mehldau - Harry Connick Jr - Alicia Keys(!) - Michel Petrucciani
Thanks for reminding me of that excellent program. I do remember watching the Mehldau episode, but now will go back for more. ...Yes, Evanse can come across as technical, and certainly academics love to analyze him, but as a piano player, when playing 'Waltz for Debbie ' or 'the two lonely people', its beauty (and melancholy. ..) that takes over. Another one I love listening to for his playfulness timing and clarity is Horace Silver. Cheers
Joe Sample. Would have been his birthday today. Comping behind the great Randy Crawford. His son on the bass. They told us not to stab the piano like this in the academy, and they were so right, just look at how beautifully wrong Joe did it... https://youtu.be/VdM3NHDU7Mk
Comments
It's like Desert Island Discs, but only with musicians, and they just decide to play a few tunes every so often. Currently listening to the Roy Hargrove one (thankfully this was likely recorded before he got too strung out on heroin/crack or whatever he does, which is tragic):
https://www.npr.org/event/music/359332055/roy-hargrove-on-piano-jazz
A short list of ones that I'd recommend:
- Norah Jones
- Bill Evans (very technical - some mad shit in there, great if you're a musician)
- Hiromi
- Oscar Peterson (both of them)
- Brad Mehldau
- Harry Connick Jr
- Alicia Keys(!)
- Michel Petrucciani
A much more comprehensive list is available here, but I don't know how many are still online. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Jazz#Program_log:_guest_list
Never really paid him much attention before but it's a really good album.
...Yes, Evanse can come across as technical, and certainly academics love to analyze him, but as a piano player, when playing 'Waltz for Debbie ' or 'the two lonely people', its beauty (and melancholy. ..) that takes over.
Another one I love listening to for his playfulness timing and clarity is Horace Silver.
Cheers
The Sproston Green is the nuts
What's your verdict Stonemuse?
Would have been his birthday today.
Comping behind the great Randy Crawford.
His son on the bass.
They told us not to stab the piano like this in the academy, and they were so right, just look at how beautifully wrong Joe did it...
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