So I've been debating with myself for many posts just who should hold the title of my favorite pianist. And you know, I am just not even going to try to call it. I have 4 that tie for my favorite and all for very different reasons.

1. Keiko Matsui: I've written so much about her I already know. But I am doing a serious study session, and I like putting on my pianists, which brought me to this post. This chick is beyond belief. I went to see her two summers ago and no lie, I was sitting there shaking with chills and almost cried. It was so amazingly beautiful. I still can't describe it. She literally takes you places you've never been, that you don't want to go, that you love, and places you do not expect to go. This lady is something nother else man. The way her music can make you FEEL is unlike any other.

And another cool thing about her, especially with her earlier albums, it is simply instrumental. Her latest Moyo and Walls of Akendora, were a bit more "produced", but none the less excellent. Going back to my point. She can create a mood with live instrumentation so well it is amazing. And then her band blends certain instruments so sometimes you feel like your on the beach and others you feel like you are lost in the forest. I've never heard a solo piano and saxaphone work together as best as Keiko Matsui and Paul Taylor have done it...simply amazing.

I think another thing that makes Keiko Matsui so special is that when she writes, it comes from somewhere deep within her. I'm not saying this is not the case with other pianists, but when you watch her live, you can just see the music eminating from her body. I'm telling you, it was quite unlike anything I have ever seen before in my life.



2. Philippe Saisse: Now this dude right here is one of the most slept upon jazz pianists ever. Like seriously. The thing that makes Philippe Saisse so special is her journey and versatility. On each album, you are going to get an entirely different style...and honestly, there is just one album, "Body and Soul Sessions" that I did not absolutly love.

With Philippe Saisse, he no doubtedly has a more produced sound on his records, but it is still wonderful. On one of the records, "Halfway Til Dawn", he had a sort of electronica/techno/jazz thing going and it was great. But I think what makes him great all around is his ability to ride a beat. While his music doesn't make me feel as emotional as Keiko Matsui's...it will make me stop and rewind and think, "Now how did this dude think to put that together".

Also, I've loved this dude since 8th grade, and I didn't even know it. So I have a particular infinity for him. It's his creativity that gets me.

3. Marcus Johnson: I've liked this dude for a while too. My dad bought his first CD, Chocolate City Groovin' and it just sat up in the cabinet until I really started to enjoy jazz. When I busted it open, I was surprised and happy. Now admittedly, I didn't pick back up on Marcus Johnson until about 2 years ago when I was introduced to Pandora.

Of the four, Marcus Johnson is the most rooted in R&B. He does a lot of covers, but he also has a lot of original pieces. I think the reason I like him is because his stuff is so funky, it just hurts. His music is also more culturally "relevant" and is actually kinda sexy. LOL. Gives you chills like Keiko but in a different kind of way. He's like the Maxwell of jazz.

Loving this dude.


4. Alex Bugnon: Now Alex Bugnon...he's very similar to Philippe Saisse, but very different all at the same time. I don't like to pin artists against each other, but I will say Alex Bugnon is Philippe Saisse minus the adventurous nature. But this doesn't mean I don't like him.

His songs make me feel good. OOOOh, he's like right in between Philippe Saisse and Marcus Johnson. Funky style, but not quite as funky as Marcus.

I think the reason these are my four favorite is because they all capture emotion wonderfully, and in very different ways. And btw... I'm mad at Marcus Johnson still. I've seen the other three in concert...but never him...and when I was about to have the chance, he wanted to act up and go to NY, but that is neither here nor there.