Justin V Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 (edited) Everyone knows Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan and Barry Harris. I've found myself enjoying the underrated Kirk Lightsey lately, and Kenn Cox is woefully underappreciated. Who are some other Detroit pianists worth checking out?? Edited July 7, 2012 by Justin V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Unfortunately she was greatly under-recorded, but Bess Bonnier was an excellent Detroit pianist!! http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=bess+bonnier+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Geri Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Johnny O'Neal, Hugh Lawson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caravan Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Terry Pollard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Roland Hanna Harold McKinney Alex Kellao (sp?) Pat Flowers Will Davis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Bob Neloms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 Maybe Todd Rhodes, if we consider music before bop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 If you want to go back to the blues, Charlie Spand, Will Ezell, and Speckled Red began their careers in Detroit. Big Maceo played there when he was young. And T.J. Fowler, Boogie Woogie Red, and Detroit Count played in Detroit after those gentlemen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin V Posted July 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Thanks, everyone. I knew that I was going to fail to mention someone obvious, but I can't believe that I forgot Sir Roland Hanna!!! I've seen Geri Allen in Detroit, but I'm not sure whether they acknowledged her Detroit roots. I look forward to checking out the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I've seen Geri Allen in Detroit, but I'm not sure whether they acknowledged her Detroit roots. She'll be presented as a native daughter at this year's Detroit Jazz Festival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesJazz Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Big topic, good question. Many greats listed above, nice that Todd Rhodes (interesting career in early swing and early R&B) and TJ Fowler, (bandleader/early Motown involvement/landscaper/teacher/composer) get some ink. Willie Anderson...maybe the greatest pre-bop Detroit pianist of all. http://detroitmusichistory.com/W_Anderson.pdf Another fine pianist: Otis "BuBu" Turner, early bebop exponent, made some fine sides with Kenny Burrell, never reissued, unfortunately. Terry Jean Pollard was amazing as her stuff with Yusef (and Terry Gibbs) will show.Hersal Thomas spent time in Detroit, he died here too. There was a lot of traffic between Chicago and Detroit, esp. among blues pianists. Detroit had no "real" recording studios until around 1933 so early Detroit bands like McKinney's or Goldkette waxed in Chicago or NYC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesJazz Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Mustn't forget Alma Smith, "The Countess of Swing" who was a child prodigy and played fine piano until a year before her death earlier this year. Alma recorded with The Counts and Countess in the late forties, also made three soundies with the C&C. At her best, she was elegant and creative. Two other fine pianists: Johnny Allen, still playing a bit age 95, former MD of the Club Congo Orchestra, from whence came Wardell, Teddy Edwards, Howard McGhee, Big Nick Nicholas, Al McKibbon and Kelly Martin too. And Earl "The Pearl" Van Riper, who recorded with Cleanhead Vinson. Earl was brilliant, a fine pianist and storyteller too, one of those guys you would listen to and all else was forgotten, entrancing, melodic, just wow. Earl always told a story with his solo, had a distinctive sound and style. And he always knew what notes to play, and when to play them. The man had taste, in other words. I hate to sound disappointed, but I don't hear guys like him anymore, musicians that captivate me and hold my attention. Or, very few musicians who do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alocispepraluger102 Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 (edited) today is/was hank jones birthday. july 31, 1918. if you have the time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DPSovIpBwxE http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HWlQ2DeTvqs Edited July 31, 2013 by alocispepraluger102 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alocispepraluger102 Posted July 31, 2013 Report Share Posted July 31, 2013 one of mr. jones insights, and there are dozens here, was that billy eckstein was a superb valve trombonist, on the level of bob brookmeyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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