Who are some famous jazz pianists who are known for their ballads or ballad style of playing?
Bill Evans is one of the very greatest masters of the jazz ballad on piano. He was the pianist on most of Miles’ ‘Kind of Blue’ album and apparently wrote at least one of the tunes on it credited to Miles. His solo albums (e.g. ‘Alone’) and trio albums (e.g. ‘Sunday at the Village Vanguard’ and ‘The Paris Concert’) are some of the most beautiful jazz piano ever recorded, but it’s never tinkly or sentimental – it’s always romantic, but intelligent. I always answer ‘Bud Powell’ when people ask who is a great jazz piano player, although he’s better known for fast numbers. However, Bud did play superb ballads too – check out his versions of ‘Polka Dots and Moonbeams’ on ‘The Amazing Bud Powell Vol 2’, or his Verve recordings of ‘Body and Soul’, ‘Everything Happens To Me’ and in particular his harrowing recording of ‘It Never Entered My Mind’. Powell was incidentally a major influence on Evans. Ellington was also a lovely ballad player. Listen to the version of ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ he re
