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Art Tatum, 1946

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…..In an earlier playlist published recently on Jerry Jazz Musician, “The Naked Jazz Musician,” I presented a number of notable saxophone and brass artists in a completely exposed setting, with no accompaniment whatsoever.  That was my starting point for an ongoing series in which I will build from solo performances to duos, trios, quartets, quintets, and so on.

…..This installment is also focused on solo performances, but exclusively by pianists.  Because the piano is often considered to be an orchestra in itself, these solo artists are not as exposed as unaccompanied horn players, because in a sense they are able to accompany themselves with chord patterns and bass lines.  Nonetheless, to play solo jazz piano well requires the highest level of keyboard mastery; the artist must keep the performance interesting rhythmically as well as convey the melody and harmony of a given selection.

…..This playlist presents a couple dozen stellar examples of solo modern jazz piano, by such artists as Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton, Bill Evans, Jaki Byard, Keith Jarrett and a score of others.  Each is an example of solo jazz piano at its finest.

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This playlist was assembled by Bob Hecht, who frequently contributes his essays, photographs, interviews, playlists and personal stories to Jerry Jazz Musician. He has a long history of producing and hosting jazz radio programs; his former podcast series, The Joys of Jazz,  was the 2019 Silver Medal winner in the New York Festivals Radio Awards. In addition, he is a widely published fine art photographer, whose work has appeared multiple times in The Sun, LensWork, Black & White Magazine, Zyzzyva and other periodicals, as well as in the book, Dream of Venice in Black & White, published by Bella Figuera Publications. He lives with his wife in Portland, Oregon. His photo website is roberthecht.com.

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In addition to putting together great playlists, Bob has conducted several fine interviews for Jerry Jazz Musician.  Click here to read his interview with Pepper Adams biographer Gary Carner.  Click here to read “Life in E Flat” – a conversation about Phil Woods – with pianist Bill Charlap and jazz journalist Ted Panken, and click here to read his interview with Alyn Shipton, author of The Gerry Mulligan 1950’s Quartets.

Click here to view all playlists published on Jerry Jazz Musician

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Click here to read The Sunday Poem

Click here to read “A Collection of Jazz Poetry – Spring/Summer, 2024 Edition”

Click here to read “Ballad,” Lúcia Leão’s winning story in the 65th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

Click here for information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

Click here to subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter

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Click here to help support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it ad and commercial-free (thank you!)

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Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced (and AI-free) since 1999

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