Best Youtube Jazz Pianist

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Who is the best jazz pianist on Youtube??

To answer this question, I’ve spent hours reviewing tonnes of jazz piano videos on youtube. I finally decided to place my vote on 7notemode.

To find the best jazz pianist on youtube, we must first ask, what defines a good jazz pianist. Here are a few “criterias” for good jazz piano playing that I’ve listed, and how 7notemode fulfill each one of them with excellence.
Good Solo Improvising Skills

A good jazz pianist must be able to improvise solos on the spot even over complex harmonies. But the solo need also be melodious, lyrical, with good control over tension and release, not meaningless execution of jazz scales and licks.
Check out 7notemode playing Route 66, and see how “lyrical” he can be.
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

Mastery of Jazz Harmony

A good jazz pianist must know the theory of jazz harmony well, and furthermore, know the right time to apply these techniques.
Check out 7notemode’s version of Round Midnight for a taste of jazz harmony at its best
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video
Groove

A good jazz pianist must be able to groove. No matter how nice the choice of notes and chords maybe, a song that fails to groove is never a good song.
See how 7notemode orchestrated the tune Lush Life on solo piano, sometimes grooving harder then an entire band
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video 

Versatile in various forms of music

A good jazz pianist must be able to play different styles of jazz music.
Check out 7notemode playing in bossa nova style, with this song The Dolphin
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

Physical Prowess

Although Jazz piano playing is not always about running your fingers up and down the keys, but it can still sometimes be demanding physically on the pianist. For example, the need for good hand independence for boogie woogie piano playing, or octaves playing in latin jazz.
Many would question why I decide to put this next video by 7notemode under this physical prowess section. Well, sometimes it’s the little things that show us the big things. We all know how well 7notemode can run scales even with both hands together, but observe in this video how he manage to stretch a series of 10th harmonic intervals in his left hand with ease
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video
I’ve yet to see him play some fast stride piano, but I can be certain that it wouldn’t be a big problem. 

Feelings

A good jazz pianist may possess all the technical skills required, but he’s still nothing if he doesn’t play from the heart.
Here’s another side of 7notemode, playing a sentimental tune by Burt Bacharach
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

Other Great Jazz Pianists on Youtube

Besides 7notemode, I’ve also stumbled upon some other great jazz pianist on youtube.
 
Here’s one of them, that goes by the nick Lot2Learn, soloing over one of the most difficult tune in Jazz, Giant Steps
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

And don’t forget our good old Doug McKenzie
You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

Of course I dare not say that I’ve viewed ALL the jazz piano videos on youtube, but if you feel that you can do better than he did, or you have other recommendations, you are always welcome to post your link in the comment section.. :)

Recommended posts:

I Loves You Porgy Advance Reharmonization Techniques

Round Midnight Advance Reharmonization Technique
 

This post has 6 comments.

  1. 7notemode
    27 Sep 07
    3:25 am

    Pianologist,

    I am speechless. Your kind words and praise are so meaningful to me. When I started posting to youtube, I did not know if my playing would receive a positive reception or not. You have encouraged me to continue further down the musical path I am currently on. Thank you for your wonderful comments. It means even more coming from someone who is so knowlegeable and has an educated ear.

    7notemode

  2. rewsnat
    27 Sep 07
    4:56 am

    great jazz pianist Lot2learn sent me a private message, saying:

    “I agree with you - 7Notemode gets my vote as well! It’s hard to believe that he does not perform anywhere except on YouTube.”

    guess I’m not alone in casting my vote to 7notemode.. :)

  3. […] we unravel some of the secrets behind his technique, here is a video of 7notemode playing a solo piano version of Round […]

  4. […] Did a transcription recently on one of my favourite solo jazz piano video on youtube by 7notemode. […]

  5. Jan Johansson
    07 Jun 08
    3:19 pm

    Just want to say that I really like 7notemodes’ pianoplaying especially
    Crystal Silence on the Cp-300 from Yamaha.

    I have tried the Yamaha Modus F11(with moving keys) Love to death.
    It has a great acc.pianosound.

    Greetings from amateur pianoplayer Jan Johansson

  6. Hermas Haynes
    23 Jun 08
    3:05 pm

    I totally agree with your selection of 7NoteMode as the Best YouTube Jazz Pianist. He is indeed a singular talent, with technical depth, impeccable improvisational skill and wonderful imagination.

    Your picks in the “Other Great Jazz Pianist on YouTube” category get my vote as well. Lots2Learn is a very excellent improviser and Doug McKenzie is the most unselfish teacher on YouTube.

    Hermas