Jacques Loussier / "Jazzified" piano repertoire

[quasimodo]

Jacques Loussier's work on classical repertoire, especially Bach is quite legendary. These days I discovered his Goldberg Variations and it's absolutely awesome. Loussier, for the record was a first prize of Paris Conservatoire and started a classical accompanist carreer before veering to jazz...

Do you know other exemples of interesting "translation" of classical piano pieces into Jazz?

[Brian Healey]

A pianist named Uri Caine reworked both the Goldberg Variations and Diabelli Variations, as well as the music of Mahler and Wagner. What he does is not so much jazz, but more of a modernization. The jazz style is evident in his arrangements, but so are rock, hip-hop, and techno. It pretty amazing work actually.

Also, another pianist named Fred Hersch did a stunning album called "Red Square Blue", where he does jazz arrangements of pieces by Russian composers. Hersch is a great improvisor. He plays Scriabin's prelude Op. 11, no. 2, and if you didn't know the piece you probably wouldn't know where the composition ends and the improvisation begins. It's very cool stuff.

the dude abides,
Bri

[xvimbi]

Look at Leszek Mozdzer, who is "reinterpreting" Chopin in a Jazzy way (Chopin Tomorrow). I think its great, but all those stuffed-up purists get allergies from it...

Finally Claude Bolling is absolutely fantastic. He is not so much playing classical pieces in a jazzy way, but writing his own pieces that combine classical and Jazz (in addition to some entirely classical compositions). His Suites for Flute & Jazz Piano Trio with Jean-Pierre Rampal are great.

[quasimodo]

Look at Leszek Mozdzer, who is "reinterpreting" Chopin in a Jazzy way (Chopin Tomorrow). I think its great, but all those stuffed-up purists get allergies from it...

Finally Claude Bolling is absolutely fantastic. He is not so much playing classical pieces in a jazzy way, but writing his own pieces that combine classical and Jazz (in addition to some entirely classical compositions). His Suites for Flute & Jazz Piano Trio with Jean-Pierre Rampal are great.

yes I know this suite,, quite nice

[pianowelsh]

Lots of tv ads do it to varying degrees of good taste. but some are GOOD! Loussier is a genius - in my opinion noone does it like him - its so honest and he really understands the sense behind the pieces he interprets.