I accidentally made a new thread about this. Whoops! Anyway, I love Oscar Peterson and McCoy Tyner. They both are masters of phrasing and technical ability. However, I think that often times Wynton Kelly gets less credit than he deserves. He was a pioneer of jazz-based r&b and wrote songs for Oscar Peterson for several years before joining a more contemporary-flavored soul band in the 70s.

Oscar PEterson is amzing, however i feel that his jazz can get a lil repetitive.

My favorites would have to be Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Herbie Han****, Thelonious Monk, and Horace Silver.

I'm not a big fan of some of Corea's more fusion-based stuff. Synths get on my nerves very easily. Plus, his music can get kind of busy, in a bad way.

Peterson uses the same rhythmic patterns over and over, sure, but I think they are so good that he's probably just doing what is best both for himself and for the listeners. Plus, with a discography spanning 30+ years, you should start to expect a little repetition :)

Bud Powell,Thelonious Monk,Bobby Timmons,Count Basie,Teddy Wilson.

I think, when it comes down to it, Art Tatum is the most technically brilliant Jazz pianist of them all in my opinion anyway (and Rachmaninoff), and critics who say that by being such a talent and, essentially his jazz going up its own arse by being so articulated, he loses the 'Jazz', are just a bunch of twats trying to keep their jobs and pervert the minds of their readers to their pretentious unconcerned viewpoint.

"Moonglow" has to be my favorite of his.

Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, (although people say he never really swung because of his classical training, he is brilliant and has showcased unbelievable talents in his quartet).

Oscar peterson I have always loved, however, when it came to his later work I found he had lost his energy from when he had started, and had reverted to the sort of lobby and club Jazz. Still have his Tonight record somewhere.

Its a shame that Nat King cole is not recognized for his piano playing, he really was an accomplished pianist. I would post a link, but it seems I'm not allowed to; although I promise my intentions are strictly non-internet spam..
He did Edward Macdowell's To a wild rose with Oscar Moore and it is absolutely brilliant, both their performances. You can find it on youtube, it seems to be quite rare.

I volunteer at the same place as his half brother. we go different days, but every few weeks we catch up and join each other for lunch.
just though that was neato when I found that out.

Albeit not known for his piano work, Sun Ra is a pretty incredible pianist. Apparently he learned to site read at the age of 10, completely self taught, and has pretty much consistently testing the bounds of what the keyed instrument can do throughout his career.

A great example of his piano work is the album "Aurora Borealis".

I used to live a couple of blocks from Oscar Peterson

Of course, Bill Evans is pretty great. One of my favorite jazz solos is from his Sunday at the Village Vanguard:



Absolutely amazing.