Alon Marcus Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Yet another "overlooked" thread but someone has to do the dirty job! Hampton Hawes and Elmo Hope were pobably treated as two mere Bud Powell imitators. They are never mentioned as important historical figures. I don't think they had the luck of playing in super important groups like Miles' quintet. Do you think Red Garland could be counted as important as he is if he didn't play with Davis? How about Marcus Roberts? His tribute to Joplin is pure genius IMHO. Quote
Quasimado Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Obviously famous company has a big significance on general perception, but I feel both Hampton and Elmo are considered more than just Bud imitators. Red just may just have been in the right place at the right time, although his block chording did have imitators. For overlooked pianists who could really play, I would nominate Ronnie Ball from the Tristano school. Another would be Oscar Dennard, who played with Lional Hampton in the 50's, before dying young... Q Quote
brownie Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Obviously famous company has a big significance on general perception, but I feel both Hampton and Elmo are considered more than just Bud imitators. Red just may just have been in the right place at the right time, although his block chording did have imitators. For overlooked pianists who could really play, I would nominate Ronnie Ball from the Tristano school. Another would be Oscar Dennard, who played with Lional Hampton in the 50's, before dying young... Q Another yes to Oscar Dennard. A widely forgotten pianist. Enjoyed another rare appearance of his on a Lionel Hampton date recorded in Paris in 1956 and originally released as 'Hampton in Hifi' on Philips in France. Found and anjoyed this on a Fontana vinyl reissue of this titled 'Hampton Goes Europe'. Hampton and a rhythm section of Dennard, Billy Mackel on guitar, Peter Badie on bass and Albert Gardner on drums. Great Hampton date where they play songs like 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary', 'La Vie en Rose', 'Le Prisonnier de Nantes', 'Danny Boy' and other European songs! Some other overlooked pianists: Clarence Profit Clyde Hart Lorraine Geller Paul Moers Joel Futterman Quote
JSngry Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Frank Hewitt Joe Bonner Kirk Lightsey Mose Allison Quote
Brownian Motion Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Sonny White Marlowe Morris Ken Kersey Fletcher Henderson TeddyWeatherford Herman Chittison Ralph Burns Quote
AllenLowe Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 (edited) well, I'm prejudiced because he was a friend of mine, but Al Haig, paritcularly his recordings from the early 1950s. He set the standard, and pianist like Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, and Hank Jones have all cited him as an early influence, as establishing an alternative to Bud Powell's sound. Also, Bill Crow has pointed out that Al was one of the most important musicians in establishing the chord changes on standard tunes, the changes used by most pianists that followed him. A great musician and a very interesting guy - Edited January 15, 2005 by AllenLowe Quote
jazzbo Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Some great names tossed out here. Definitely agree about Al Haig. How about Mel Powell. And Jimmy Rowles. Those guys get talked about, but both deserve better recognition. Quote
ghost of miles Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 In addition to the many fine names listed above: Johnny Guarnieri Dick Twardzik (though he's gaining more recognition, and the imminent publication of the Chambers bio may raise his profile even more) George Cables Arnold Ross Joe Castro Norman Simmons Quote
Christiern Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Michel Petrucciani and Sugar Chile Robinson were easily overlooked, while Randy Weston is not. Quote
brownie Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Joe Albany Dodo Marmarosa Johnny Williams Billy Strayhorn Walter Davis Jr Quote
ghost of miles Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 LaMont Johnson Craig Taborn Christopher Gaddy John Dennis Quote
JohnS Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Kenny Werner doesn't seem to have had a mention on this board. All his trio recordings are worth checking out. Quote
kh1958 Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Frank Hewitt Joe Bonner Kirk Lightsey Mose Allison Yes, I remember seeing Mose Allison at a small club in Austin 20 years ago and really enjoying his piano playing, but every one of his records I've heard has only brief solos. Quote
sidewinder Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Hilton Ruiz Ron(Ran) Burton Ronnie Mathews Larry Willis. Quote
garthsj Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 (edited) There are some fine names that have been thrown out so far, but coming to this thread late in the day, I was surprised that no one had mentioned Claude Williamson. He is certainly one of the best following in the Powell tradition, but with his own technical brilliance thrown in. From the west coast group we also have the brillliance of Russ Freeman, and Pete Jolly, One pianist who is widely recognized for his seminal contribution to jazz, and yet never really gets the attention he deserves as a pianist is John Lewis! Whenever I am feeling the need to lose myself into jazz improvisation, I listen to John Lewis. Edited January 15, 2005 by garthsj Quote
ghost of miles Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 There are some fine names that have been thrown out so far, but coming to this thread late in the day, I was surprised that no one had mentioned Claude Williamson. He is certainly on the best following in the Powell tradition, but with his own technical brilliance thrown in. From the west coast group we also have the brillliance of Russ Freeman, and Pete Jolly, One pianist who is widely recognized for his seminal contribution to jazz, and yet never really gets the attention he deserves as a pianist is John Lewis! Whenever I am feeling the need to lose myself into jazz improvisation, I listen to John Lewis. Absolutely right, Garth. I'll throw in Lou Levy as well. Quote
ghost of miles Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Does Phineas Newborn still count as overlooked? Quote
EKE BBB Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Two overlooked stride pianists, maybe because they were sadly underrecorded: -Donald Lambert -Luckey Roberts Quote
alankin Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Frank Hewitt Joe Bonner Kirk Lightsey Mose Allison Yes, I remember seeing Mose Allison at a small club in Austin 20 years ago and really enjoying his piano playing, but every one of his records I've heard has only brief solos. Does he play more than the one? Quote
Leeway Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Richard Wyands -truly overlooked. I suppose Russ Freeman might still count as generally overlooked. Quote
brownie Posted January 15, 2005 Report Posted January 15, 2005 Some Europeans: - Jan Johansson - Bernard Peiffer - Rene Urtreger - Maurice Vander - George Arvanitas - Gordon Beck Quote
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