Who's the best jazz keyboard player?

Question

Herbie Hancock
Bob James
Keith Jarrett
Dave Brubeck
Keiko Matsui

Answer 1

You've listed some great ones, I personally like Joe Sample.

Answer 2

Of your limited list, the answer has to be Dave Brubeck. He has the classical training, the longevity and the composing ability to back up his playing. I really like Hancock and his R&B and funk additives and his many popular compositions. I had the luck to jam with Bob James on my gig one night and he is certainly up there on the list including his compositions. I like the way all three of them can take the most trite and obvious song and make you think you have never heard it before! Keith Jarrett is very accomplished technically but a lot of his improvisations just about put me to sleep. He is very adept at working on a theme, but sometimes he tries too much.

Answer 3

Herbie Hancock.

Answer 4

I would look at your audience and decide based upon what they are looking for. If you are simply there for background music I would take choice (A) considering a keyboard is soft delicate sounding instrument. However, if you will be the entertainment go with guitar it adds excitment and punctuation that keyboards cannot touch.

Answer 5

Herbie's my favorite from the list. I think that Keith Jarrett might be up there too if it weren't for the irritating humming sounds that he does.

Answer 6

Out of that group, Herbie Hancock but Oscar Peterson trumps them all.

Answer 7

I don't know, but Keiko Matsui is without a doubt the best looking!

Answer 8

Bob James.

Answer 9

Could be one of the 2 best....passed away 7 days ago, Oscar Peterson.

Answer 10

Mike Ratledge (Nucleus/Soft Machine)!