To truly become a great musician, you must appreciate and understand the music that has come

before you.

When you listen to other musicians, you discover new musical ideas.  You absorb new harmonies,
melodies, and rhythms, and elements inevitably become part of your own playing.

I believe every musician's "style" or "sound" is really just the conglomeration of all the music they've
listened to, studied, and practiced.  Ultimately, it's the sounds that you love most, that will become
part of your own playing.

That being said, here is a quick list of my biggest piano influences.  This list is certainly not
comprehensive, but they represent the most influential figures for me:

 Oscar Peterson
 Bill Evans
 Art Tatum
 Fatts Waller
 James P Johnson
 Scott Joplin
 Herbie Hancock
 George Shearing
 James Booker
 Pinetop Smith
 Albtert Ammons
 Bud Powell
 Thelonious Monk
 Keith Jarrett
 Brad Mehldau
 Chick Korea
 Mccoy Tyner
 Mulgrew Miller

These artists span the early 1900's to present day, and they represent the major genres of
American piano (or jazz piano), from ragtime, stride, boogie, and blues, to swing, bebop, and
modern jazz.

As you listen to pianists, it's important to listen to a variety of music... don't just listen to one genre
or one time period. 

Also, I would encourage you to listen to non-piano music for inspiration.  There are countless horn
players, guitarists, string players, bands, and orchestras that will change your musical world.

Listen to classical music, electronic music, and rock music.  Every genre has good music - the trick
is finding it.

What are your musical influences? Create a post sharing the music that inspires you by clicking
here or clicking "Start new topic" in the Inspiration & Influences forum. 😊 

Jonny