One way of understanding what any modern (or ancient) jazz pianist is doing is to know the ‘roots’ of what they are playing. Even the wildest jazz is influenced by what came before.

So this episode, to get more clarity about different piano styles, I’m exploring some history. From ragtime up to free-jazz.

I’ll take you from Scott Joplin to Paul Bley, and between I’ll cover a bit of Jellly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Earl Hines, Count Basie, Art Tatum, Meade Lux Lewis, Nat King Cole, Bud Powell, John Lewis, and Bill Evans. I also throw in something by a Toronto pianist named Ron Davis who mixes be-bop and stride……and maybe a couple other subgenres as well.