Cool jazz piano: from classic favorites to hidden gems.
Even within what we broadly call jazz, there are countless subgenres, and it’s fascinating how the sound itself changes depending on which instrument takes center stage.
As the name suggests, “jazz piano,” where the piano is the main focus, is an especially popular style of jazz in Japan.
There are many classic tunes that everyone has heard at least once, and I imagine quite a few jazz beginners start out by listening to a piano trio album.
In this article, we’ve gathered timeless tracks from across eras—including recent jazz—that feature up-tempo, cool, and stylish piano within the realm of jazz piano.
If you usually gravitate toward lyrical, slow jazz piano, this is a great chance to check out something different!
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Cool jazz piano. From classic favorite tunes to hidden gems (21–30)
Fly With the WindMcCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner, a legendary pianist in jazz history, was a great musician who began his career in the 1950s and continued to lead the scene for many years until his passing in 2020 at age 81.
In BLUE GIANT, the piece performed during practice by the protagonist Dai Miyamoto, the virtuoso pianist Yukinori Sawabe, and the novice drummer Tamada is the title track from McCoy’s classic 1976 album Fly With The Wind.
It’s remarkable that a beginner tackled an over-eight-minute piece right off the bat—and that the original drummer on the recording was the ultra-technical Billy Cobham.
By the way, the original features flute rather than saxophone, and is distinguished by a flowing, opulent ensemble with added strings!
In conclusion
As mentioned at the beginning, when people hear “piano jazz,” many probably first picture something gently lyrical.
However, by listening to the tracks introduced this time, I hope you’ve discovered some iconic, up-tempo tunes that make you want to get up and dance.
Piano jazz is still evolving in the 2020s, so be sure to dive deeper!