beautiful piano recordings: solo or small ensemble

The new Stereophile recording of Silverman playing Beethoven's Diabelli Variations. State of the art recording, great playing, the greatest music.

One of my favorite artist for piano is Martha Argerich. She has style with classical music that is exciting and engaging. Some of the recordings are older but still worth digging for. Hope you grow to enjoy her work as much as I have. Steve Levick

Joe Sample's "Soul Shadows" is a must have. Perhaps my favorite solo piano recording. You can almost hear the spirits of piano music channeling thru Joe's hands.

Dave Brubeck's "Just You Just Me" is very good.

Pablo's "Basie Encounters Peterson" is a keeper.

Also check out Monty Alexander's Trio Live At Montreux for some high energy fun.

Ray Bryant also has some good live performances but some of the recordings are not so great.

Phillip Aberg's "Cinema" has some haunting versions of movie music.

Dave Grusin's "Now Playing" and "The Gershwin Collection" are great.

Dick Hymann has records of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller music that are fab.

Dr John has some of his own gumbo on "Dr John Plays Mac Rebenac".

Chuck Level has "Forever Blue"....

Bill Evans, "Conversations with Myself"
Red Garland, "Groovy"

I don't have strong opinions on the recordings; if you like Jazz from around then, the music is must have.

jmd

Jessica Williams is my favorite right now. A desciple of Thelonias Monk, she is one of the most underated jazz musicians alive today. All three of her recordings that I have are fantastic:
"Live at Yoshi's"
"In The Key of Monk"
"Higher Standards"

I also look forward to checking out suggestions above. Getting piano recordings correct is, in my opinion, the true test of a high end system.