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Underrated jazz greats

I listen to all sorts of music, but mostly jazz. There are many musicians who, for whatever reason, don't attract the attention that their great gifts possibly deserve. I would be interested to know who others think are hidden gems in the jazz world, who have contributed substantially to the genre.

I will begin with two musicians who I believe are outstanding, and deserving of the highest recognition.

1) Lew Tabackin - an outstanding tenor player, and a phenomenal jazz flutist in my view.

2) Sir Roland Hanna - tremendous command of the keyboard, and he thought around the perimeter of pieces to make them both musically and intellectually satisfying.

Very interested in others' thoughts.
stewartr
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
'Water from an Ancient Well' is available on Amazon. Ibrahim was A.K.A. 'Dollar Brand'. Check under both names to see all his stuff.

Some people are not so much underrated, as they are not popular. And this can be for various reasons. Appearance, age, gender, race, style of play etc.... But the guardians, the enthusiasts, the keepers of the flame so to speak, they know!!
siliab
362 posts
 
Horace Tapscott - a longtime mainstay of the LA jazz community was a piano player with a unique way of establishing musical momentum. His was the sound of inevitability.

Lenny Breau - So much talent that it had to hurt. Calling him a jazz player is too limiting. He was a universal musician.
rockadanny
1,226 posts
 
Warne Marsh.
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dkgolfsports
7 posts
 
Erroll Garner
ptss
1,964 posts
 
Paul Desmond was imho a "quiet" but phenomenal genius of the sax. I also think he was the "wings beneath" Dave Brubeck. With a lesser player on sax I think much of Brubecks work wouldn't have had near the popularity and recognition. In fact, as a big fan of the Dave Brubeck Quartet-with Paul Desmond--I don't think Brubeck had anywhere near the same output- in quality, musicality, inventiveness or popularity- after Desmond. I think the gel with Desmond was "magic", pure & simple. Probably as great as any 2 collaborators.
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