Tag Archives: playing the piano

Video – Keith Jarrett Piano Jazz Improvisation Solo Concert

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This video is a beautiful performance by Keith Jarrett playing a piano solo concert. Recorded live in Tokyo in 1984, the playing is an excellent example of the massive talent of Keith Jarrett. Jarrett is a master at improvisation, and gives rich, modern interpretations that are simply wonderful to listen to.

Keith Jarrett began playing the piano even before he was three years old, and started piano lessons soon afterward. Through decades of public performances, Keith Jarrett has become one of the most talented keyboard players of all time. His virtuoso abilities on the piano extend way beyond what most pianists ever achieve. Although well known for his classical recordings and his trio Jazz work, he is probably best known as a solo pianist from his extraordinary live solo piano recordings, where he propels the genre of solo piano playing to new heights. He is truly a master of piano playing.

Keith Jarrett

 

 

Video – Terrific Solo Blues Piano – Mary Lou Williams

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This is a terrific example of stride piano blues. Mary Lou Williams plays a wonderful solo blues at age 70. Her accomplished style of combining strong right hand blues melodies and her legendary stride piano left hand are showcased in this recording.

Mary Lou Williams was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1910. She was a jazz and blues piano player, composer, and arranger. In her long career, she recorded and arranged hundreds of songs. She also wrote music and arranged for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. Some of her close friends included Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie and many more great musicians.

Although Mary Lou Williams never took piano lessons, she learned how to play all by herself. She was extremely gifted as a child and very motivated to learn. At the age of 6 she was already earning money playing the piano. By the time she reached 14 she was performing with Duke Ellington and became well known as a professional musician throughout Atlanta. Her remarkable skill at the keyboard, especially at such an early age, astounded most everyone she met, including Louis Armstrong. Her career lasted over seventy years, and she has left a huge repertoire of recordings as well as memories for the many people who got to hear her perform at music events and festivals. She was truly an inspiration to many upcoming artists.

Some Mary Lou Williams Recordings
From the Heart
Mary Lou’s Mass
Black Christ of the Andes
The First Lady of the Piano
The Zodiac Suite
Roll ‘Em

more on Mary Lou Williams