Best Jazz pianist

Elizabeth, you can always be counted on to cut thru the BS and get to the right answer.

I agree about Tatum. I have his solo Masterpieces set, and I don't play them very much. After a while they all sound the same. Show off.

Peterson is not always great, but he is at least always very good. Sort of like clint eastwood in the movies.

Basie's style of playing in Jazz is sort of like B.B. King's style of playing the blues. The right note, at the right time, no more or less. You nailed it.

I should correct something I said earlier. I said the Duke could swing, but I meant the Count, as in Basie. Not that the Duke doesn't swing, just not on the piano. Hard to believe I got them mixed up.

In terms of sheer technique, it is hard to come up with someone who had more than Oscar Peterson in the jazz world. He is also one of my favorites musically, though I like Bill Evans and Monk as well.

In addition to Foster_9's list; Bobby Timmons, Sonny Clark, McCoy Tyner,Red Garland, Bud Powell, and Hank Jones.

I would like to add the following, since they were on my playlist today:

1. Les McCann(piano) & Eddie Harris (tenor sax) - 'Swiss Movement'
One of the all time great Jazz performances!! Every track a winner!! I wore out two LPs. Now have it on two CDs, just in case.

2. Randy Weston - 'Volcano Blues'

Other jazz pianists Worth a Look / Listen:
Cyrus Chestnut
Walter Davis Jr.
Marcus Roberts