Need Non-Classical Reportoire

[egyptsgoddessx]

I am a classical pianist, and have played for 18 years. I've never really ventured out of the classical realm, as that was what I was brought up with and what I know best. Right now I'm working on Liszt's 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody, Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, and just some random Brahms and Chopin. I'm an advanced performer, but have recently begun just playing for my own benefit and for enjoyment, instead of constantly competing and teaching.

Recently, my boyfriend bought me a nice keyboard so that I can play at his house as well as my own, as I'm at his house more often. However, he's not a big fan of classical music to say the least. He wants me to play other genres like blues or honkey tonk (I want to say classic rock style as well, but am hesitant). You get the idea...

Although I have listened to this kind of music before, I've never played it. Does anyone have any suggestions of pieces that would actually sound decent when played on solo piano? Or where I might find sheet music like that? We'd probably be talking about music from the 60-70s or "pop" tunes a lot of people know...  Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, as this is not my territory in the least.

Thank you very much!!!

[quantum]

Art Tatum
Jelly Roll Morton

Have you heard of Kapustin?

[egyptsgoddessx]

After reading your response I googled Kapustin (had never heard of him before). This seems promising! I haven't heard any of his works yet but I'll definitely check into this further. Thank you!

[countrymath]

Jerry Lee Lewis
Bruce Hornsby
Rick Wakeman
Stevie Ray Vaughan (his pianist was awesome)
Floyd Cramer
James Booker
Scot Joplin (ragtime FTW)
Patsy Cline
Dream Theater (check the piano arrangements of Jordan Rudess)

Wish I had a pianist girlfriend.

[countrymath]

Wish I had a girlfriend, btw...

[aintgotnorhythm]

Two books I can recommend are

Improvising Blues Piano by Tim Richards (gets you going quickly with blues piano, also is an excellent source of ideas for further listening/playing)

The Best of Rock'n'Roll Piano by David Bennett Cohen (contains transcriptions faithful to the original recordings of Jailhouse Rock, Great Balls of Fire, Tutti Frutti, etc.)

I wish I had come across these two books a lot earlier in my piano playing days! I have around 100 "non-classical" sheet music books and these two really do stand out for me.

[redbaron]

Elton John
Tori Amos (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
Billy Joel