Most Influential Jazz Piano Artists/Songs
1.) Herbie Hancock, Cantaloupe Island
Herbie Hancock was very influential to modern jazz, and going far out of the box in his solos with different scales and rhythms. He is considered to be one of the fathers of Jazz-fusion, and has had a tremendous effect on Electronic music and R&B. He also was the creator of the song "Chameleon" in the album "Head Hunters" which was the first Jazz album to ever go platinum.
2.)Dave Brubeck, Take 5
Dave Brubeck was a jazz pianist in the 50's and 60's. He was a cool jazz player who was had a lot of influence on introducing young people to Jazz music. He was very famous for using many odd and unusual time signatures that weren't in the common 4/4 that jazz is usually played in. Brubeck's most popular song was "Take Five" in the album "Time out" which was the first jazz album to sell over 1 million copies.
Chick Corea, Spain
Chick Corea is a Jazz pianist who is the 4th most nominated artist in Grammy history. He is known for his contributions to both Jazz Fusion and Latin Jazz. He collaborated with many famous jazz artists such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Corea was able to merge his upbeat, Latin style into the Jazz fusion when he played.
Art Tatum, Tiger Rag
Art Tatum is arguably one of the greatest Jazz musicians of all time. He was the first of his kind in his creativity and technical proficiency. His style was so personal and so ahead of his time, that to this day there are many people who argue that he wasn't influential because of this. I personally believe that he is monumental to jazz. Many artists on this list including Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, and Thelonious Monk have all said that Tatum had an influence on their playing.
Thelonious Monk, Round Midnight
Thelonious Monk was one of the most "out of the box" jazz pianists of his time. He was a swing artist who was very famous for his unusual improvisations. Monk was very percussive, and used many unorthodox methods such as using more than one finger to play one note. To this day, he is considered one of the most influential Jazz pianists for his unique playing.
Pinetop Smith, Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
Pinetop Smith is probably the least known artist on this list. Yet his influence on Rag-time and "Boogie Woogie" was significant. Smith unfortunately died at a very young age of 24, but was the first to use the name "Boogie Woogie" on a record. A lot of his fame came after he died when many artists started making covers of his song. Those artists include Ray Charles, Gene Taylor, and Count Basie. Pinetop Smith had a lot of potential as a jazz artist, and I wish he would've been alive longer to make more music.
Fats Waller, Handful of Keys
Fats Waller was a jazz artist who was much more charismatic than the average musician. Fats Waller was very famous for his comedic performances, almost over-shadowing his influence on stride piano. Waller's ability to swing and play rapid and difficult rhythms so seamlessly are part of what makes him a house-hold name for Jazz pianists.
Bill Evans, Blue in Green
Bill Evans was a pianist who was another who was "outside of the box". His ability to take traditional jazz melodies, concepts, and rhythms and make them his own was a talent that he was recognized. His use of block chords and melodic lines are what make his songs unique. Bill Evans is still considered one of the greatest Jazz Pianists of our time.
Oscar Peterson, C Jam Blues
Oscar Peterson was a jazz pianist who was known for his astound technicalities and his influence on swing in modern Jazz. Peterson never stuck to a specific genre, but his technicals from classical music were used in his Jazz and Blues performances. Artists such as Herbie Hancock have said that Peterson was a great influence to them and modern jazz.
Michel Camilo, A Night in Tunisia
Michel Camilo is a Jazz pianist who has had a great influence on Latin Jazz. His mix of Caribbean rhythms along with his jazz harmonies make him a very unique artist. He is often compared to Chick Corea and his Latin feel in music.