Tag Archives: jazz pianist

Video – Keith Jarrett – I Loves You Porgy Piano Solo Tokyo 1984

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Keith Jarrett playing a haunting performance of George Gershwin’s ballad “I Loves You Porgy”. This performance is from his album Keith Jarrett – Solo Tribute: The 100th Performance in Japan (1987). Keith Jarrett, well known for his gorgeous intricate harmonies, is considered by many to be the best jazz pianist in the world.

Keith Jarrett is an American jazz and classical pianist and composer. Before the age of three, he was already taking piano lessons. By five, he was already performing on TV. As a youngster Jarrett displayed a great deal of talent. His first piano recital included several of his own original pieces, as well as Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.

In his long and fabulously successful career, Jarrett has performed and recorded with many famous musicians worldwide. Jarrett is well known for his extraordinary original jazz solo pieces, as well as trio work, and classical recordings. His piano and keyboard virtuosity is unparalleled in the world of jazz, and he has become a legend in the jazz world. His performances are a sight to behold, throwing himself into the music in his own world. His music is complex and deep, and generally appeals to the more trained ear. Jarrett’s recordings blend themes from jazz, blues, gospel, and folk music. His music has been described as stunning, remarkable, and breathtaking. Keith Jarrett remains one of the most powerful and original American jazz pianists and composers of all time.

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video oscar peterson I can't get started amazing jazz piano solo

Video Oscar Peterson ‘I Can’t Get Started’ – Amazing Jazz Piano Solo

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Here is a great example of the extraordinary piano playing of Oscar Peterson. The song is ‘I Can’t Get Started’ (With You); music written in 1935 by Vernon Duke, lyrics by Ira Gershwin. Peterson was one of the most accomplished jazz pianists in history. His playing was stunning, technical superior, and totally absorbing. His astounding left hand was one of the best ever witnessed since Art Tatum. He played powerfully, with lightning speed. The articulation of every note was remarkable. His complex piano playing sounded like an entire band of musicians. Peterson was an enormously talented piano player and band leader.

 

He was born Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) in Montreal, Canada. As a child, he was immersed in the black culture of jazz so popular in the early 20th century. Oscar Peterson began piano lessons at the age of 5. He also played trumpet, but tuberculosis prevented him from continuing. He placed all his attention on playing piano. His father was also a pianist and was one of his first piano teachers. His sister taught him classical piano. Peterson was totally dedicated to the piano and committed to an arduous practice schedule of up to six hours a day. It was this complete focus on piano that helped him attain his exemplary piano virtuosity.

While studying classical piano, he became enthralled with jazz, ragtime music, and boogie woogie. At the age of nine, his mastery of the piano had already impressed many adult professional musicians. At the age of fourteen, after winning a national music competition, Peterson dropped out of school and began playing professionally. He played on a weekly radio show, at hotels, and music halls. His style was completely his own, with strong piano blues influences. His career took on legendary proportions as he began his prolific recording career, releasing over 200 recordings. Peterson’s remarkable piano playing earned him seven Grammy awards. In his lengthy 65 year career, he played thousands of concerts around the world, was enthusiastically received, and awarded many honors. Oscar Peterson was one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time.