jazz piano

[elevateme]

hi
I'm looking for some really good & showy jazz piano pieces - does anyone have any suggestions please?

[preludium]

In Jazz it's much more about interpretation than the composition. There are a few tunes that are pretty good by themselves (like "Autumn in New York" or Monk's "'Round Midnight"), but it still depends on what you do with them. Who do you want to impress? For Jazz cracks you would need an up-tempo tune with an insane chord progression like Coltrane's "Giant Steps". For the average audience a popular ballad would be better. Examples are "What are you doing the rest of your life", "Misty", or "My funny Valentine". There are books that contain transcriptions of great pianists' arrangements. I own one that is called "The World's Best Piano Arrangements" - the content is better than the somewhat corny title and it's definitely worth the money. You'll have to listen to recordings nonetheless, otherwise you won't get the articulation right.

[burstroman]

"Boogie Woogie Etude by Morton Gould.

[jre58591]

its not 100% jazz but check out kapustin. his music is pretty difficult but extremely satisfying, showy, catchy and musical. here you can see a sample of some of it:

there are tons more on youtube.

[elevateme]

please i need some more - plus does anyone know where i can get art tatum sheet music? tiger rag / tea for two in particular

[mikey6]

"Boogie Woogie Etude by Morton Gould.

That piece is hilarious in a sort of bad way.

[emmaj]

Are you improvising or using the sheet music?

If you are reading it like a classical piece - have you tried Gershwin's own arrangements of his songs - they are on the ABRSM diploma syllabus and sound pretty impressive.  I think the book is called Meet Gershwin at the keyboard/piano?

[bench warmer]

Take a look & listen at the Fats Waller solos transcribed by Paul Posnak. You can find the book at Amazon and the CD there also.

Posnak spent a few years listening to Fats' playing his stuff on piano rolls, then he transcribed it all to sheet music in addition to playing it for CD.

" Ain't Misbehavin' " got me hooked. Fun & showy music.

The only drawback is that it's not the easiest music to play.

[elevateme]

i have the gershwin books thanks i did my dip abrsm a few years ago. i got rhythm is the best!! recommend it to all

[jozart]

Hi Elevateme,
Don't know what you are looking for exactly but try "Countdown Suite for Piano" in the Audition Room.
jozart

[brahms4me]

David Benoit has 3 piano books out that you might try looking at.  Also, get a copy of "Memphis Stomp" by Dave Grusin from the movie "The Firm".  That one is a show stopper and rythmically challenging.  Try getting a copy of the entire piano score becuase there are a few other pieces that are good.

[nica]

hey, I really adore Gershwin's rialto ripples! Try it it sounds like 4 hands playing. By the way anyone have the sheet music of it? I've been playing classical all the time, now i want to learn some jazz tunes, which book should i start with? or should i study with some tutor?
thanks!

[andyd]

Did someone ask about the greatest pianist ever

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/store/smp_detail.html?cart=337609590122303408&type=rec&item=3593777

There are five or six transcription books available.  All three books on the website above are good. 
Versions of Tea for Two and Tiger Rag are in
"The Art Tatum Collection"
which also contains one of my favourites, Jitterbug Waltz.

And the very best of luck to you    Waller and Gershwin are very very easy by comparison.

Andy

[franzliszt2]

Kapustin concert etudes are incredible. Vey jazzy, showy, and great fun. Never tried them myself, but I would recomend them. They look and sound hard to learn.