Who are your favorite Pianists / Keyboard Players?

[richb]

Thought it would be interesting to hear who's playing you admire. Specific recordings, etc. A name I'll throw out there, for blues piano is Marty Sammon. He plays with Buddy Guy.

 

[Biggles]

For me there can be only one, the keyboard God that is Rick Wakeman.

 

[CowboyNQ]

I was asked this question the other day on a podcast and I mentioned Greg Allman, Gregg Rolie, Derek Sherinian as three keys players (not necessarily pianists) that I admire.

 

[anotherscott]

My top 3: Keith Emerson, Kerry Minnear, Eddie Jobson

 

[happyrat1]

My vote goes to everyone mentioned so far. And let's not forget his lordship, Elton John and Jools Holland from Squeeze. Honorable mention goes to Herbie Hancock, Eumir Deodato, Jean Michel Jarre, Glen Gould and Oscar Peterson. While we're at it, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.

Truth be told there are simply so many greats from the past 6 decades, all of whom could teach any one of us a thing or two about writing music and tickling the ivories.

Keyboards are always underrated in most bands, but over the years, many great performers have become stars and if this thread is to be at all accurate and comprehensive I could probably come up with a hundred names.

Gary

 

[Kaneda]

Who I admired and copied as a kid (well, I gave it a damn good try) : Richard Claydermann, Jean-Michel Jarre, Yvan Guilini (I'm sure nobody will know this last one)
Whom I aspire to : Rachmaninov and Chopin
Very honorable mentions : Elton John, Billy Joel, Randy Newman...

And so many others...

 

[Rayblewit]

Mine are . .
Paul Bindig
Happyrat1
Jeremykeys

 

[happyrat1]

Mine are . .
Paul Bindig
Happyrat1
Jeremykeys

You've got me blushing Ray.

And an extra shoutout for Ray Manzarek and Stevie Winwood to add to my list.

 

[CowboyNQ]

Mine are . .
Paul Bindig
Happyrat1
Jeremykeys

Gary and Jeremy...makes sense. That other bloke? You need to lift your standards, Ray!

 

[Rayblewit]

HAHA! Paul.
So I lifted my standards . . and reviewed my list. . . So that Bindig bloke goes down the list now . . albeit a little.

No. 1. . . Booker T. Jones
No. 2 . . . Hiromi Uehara

Ray

 

[Rayblewit]

Could not resist

 

[Biggles]

If only I could play a faction as well as Golriz Hashemi

 

[Biggles]

Great volcalist, pianist and exponent of a battered old Hammond our favourite artist to go and see, Paul Carrack.

He is also the keyboard player on Eric Clapton’s tours.

Bet Your Life is our favourite song, Stevie Beighton on sax is world class act himself.

 

[richb]

I'm glad so many people replied. I'm new to keys (I'm a guitar player) and I'm interested to hear who Pianists / Keyboardist admire. I have a lot to look up.

 

[happyrat1]

If you want to hear some first class Hammond Organ blues and soul look up Dr. Lonnie Smith. Another great player

Gary

 

[Rayblewit]

I'm glad so many people replied.

Sometimes (quite often actually) the threads can be deep and complicated!
It is always nice to have a little light hearted discussion.
Thanks for posting.
cheers
Ray

 

[Rayblewit]

Somebody elses list, but a good one nevertheless.

 

[Emanuel Batalha]

Jesús Molina, Cory Henry, Jordan Rudess, Anomalie, GLASYS.

 

[purplepat69]

Huge Keith Emerson fan, but love all the old 70's prog and some newer stuff. Wakeman, Wonder, Hancock, Rudess, Ryo Okumoto of Spock's Beard, Erik Norlander...

 

[Biggles]

Some great names so far.

Jordan Rudess came up on another forum where there has been a lot of chat about a certain iPad App. Here is JR using said App to pretty good effect.