Willie Pickens: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American jazz pianist, composer, and educator}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = Willie Pickens |
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| name = Willie Pickens |
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| image = |
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| caption = |
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| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist |
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| birth_name |
| birth_name = |
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| alias |
| alias = |
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| birth_place |
| birth_place = [[Milwaukee|Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], U.S. |
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| birth_date |
| birth_date = {{birth date|1931|04|18}} |
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| death_place |
| death_place = [[Manhattan]], New York |
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| death_date |
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2017|12|12|1931|4|18}} |
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| instrument |
| instrument = Piano |
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| genre |
| genre = [[Jazz]] |
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| occupation |
| occupation = Musician, composer, arranger, educator |
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| years_active |
| years_active = 1958–2017 |
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| label |
| label = |
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| associated_acts |
| associated_acts = {{ubl|[[Eddie Harris]]|[[Elvin Jones]]}} |
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| website = |
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| current_members = |
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| past_members = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Willie Pickens''' ( |
'''Willie Pickens''' (April 18, 1931 – December 12, 2017) was an American [[jazz]] pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Pickens was born in Milwaukee on April 18, 1931.<ref name="Grove">Gillaspie |
Pickens was born in Milwaukee on April 18, 1931.<ref name="Grove">{{cite web |last=Gillaspie |first=Deborah |url=http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/J666400 |title=Pickens, Willie |website=[[The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians]] |edition=2nd |access-date=February 22, 2015 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He studied piano formally from the age of 14.<ref name="Grove" /> He attended [[Lincoln High School (Milwaukee)|Lincoln High School]] in Milwaukee with saxophonist [[Bunky Green]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Stokes |first=W. Royal |year=1993 |title=The Jazz Scene |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |page=125}}</ref> Pickens also studied at the [[Wisconsin Conservatory of Music]].<ref name="Grove" /> |
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==Later life and career== |
==Later life and career== |
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In the early 1960s, Pickens played on saxophonist [[Eddie Harris]]' first four recordings for [[Vee-Jay Records]].<ref name="Penguin" />{{rp|655}} His period with Harris lasted between 1960 and 1966.<ref name="Grove" /> Pickens taught music at public schools from 1966 until 1990.<ref name="Grove" /> He was also a faculty member of the [[American Conservatory of Music]] between 1971 and 1987.<ref name="Grove" /><ref name="NIU" /> |
In the early 1960s, Pickens played on saxophonist [[Eddie Harris]]' first four recordings for [[Vee-Jay Records]].<ref name="Penguin" />{{rp|655}} His period with Harris lasted between 1960 and 1966.<ref name="Grove" /> Pickens taught music at public schools from 1966 until 1990.<ref name="Grove" /> He was also a faculty member of the [[American Conservatory of Music]] between 1971 and 1987.<ref name="Grove" /><ref name="NIU" /> |
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Pickens recorded with clarinetist [[Buddy DeFranco]] in 1977,<ref name="Penguin" />{{rp|364}} and drummer [[Louis Bellson]] in 1994.<ref name="Penguin">Cook |
Pickens recorded with clarinetist [[Buddy DeFranco]] in 1977,<ref name="Penguin" />{{rp|364}} and drummer [[Louis Bellson]] in 1994.<ref name="Penguin">{{cite book |last1=Cook |first1=Richard |last2=Morton |first2=Brian |year=2008 |title=The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings |publisher=[[Penguin Books]]}}</ref>{{rp|109}} Pickens played in drummer [[Elvin Jones]]' band between 1990 and 1997,<ref name="Grove" /> including internationally.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Souza |first=Jerry |date=February 22, 2009 |url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/elvin-jones-jazz-machine-elvin-jones-by-jerry-dsouza.php |title=Elvin Jones Jazz Machine |website=[[All About Jazz]]}}</ref> |
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According to ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'', "Pickens appeared regularly at international jazz festivals and performed at [[Chicago Jazz Festival]] almost yearly from its inception."<ref name="Grove" /> For jazz musicians in Chicago, Pickens has become "a revered mentor to younger players and a symbol of the music itself", in the words of a ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' commentator.<ref name="CT" /> He |
According to ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'', "Pickens appeared regularly at international jazz festivals and performed at [[Chicago Jazz Festival]] almost yearly from its inception."<ref name="Grove" /> For jazz musicians in Chicago, Pickens has become "a revered mentor to younger players and a symbol of the music itself", in the words of a ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' commentator.<ref name="CT" /> He also taught at [[Northern Illinois University]]'s School of Music.<ref name="Grove" /><ref name="NIU">{{cite web |url=https://www.niu.edu/music/meet-us/bio/pickens.shtml |title=Willie Pickens |website=[[Northern Illinois University]]| access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref> Saxophonist [[Lou Donaldson]] once told [[Donald Harrison]], "Willie Pickens is one of the last great bebop pianists."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.louisianaweekly.com/another-solid-week-of-musical-offerings/ |title=Another Solid Week of Musical Offerings |first=Geraldine |last=Wyckoff |newspaper=[[The Louisiana Weekly]] |date=January 9, 2017}}</ref> |
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Pickens died of a heart attack in Manhattan, New York, at the age of 86.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-ent-willie-pickens-dead-1214-story.html |title=Chicago piano titan Willie Pickens dies at 86 |first=Howard |last=Reich |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=December 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hill |first=Tonia |date=December 13, 2017 |url=http://hpherald.com/2017/12/13/legendary-jazz-musician-willie-pickens-died/ |title=Legendary Jazz Musician Willie Pickens Has Died |newspaper=[[Hyde Park Herald]]}}</ref> His wife, Irma, died in 2015 after 55 years of marriage.<ref name="CT">{{cite news |last=Reich |first=Howard |date=December 25, 2013 |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-12-25/entertainment/chi-willie-pickens-jazz-chicagoan-of-the-year-2013-20131225_1_willie-pickens-green-mill-chicago-jazz-festival |title=Willie Pickens: The Lion in Winter |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Reich |first=Howard |date=February 16, 2016 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-jazz-willie-pickens-ent-0217-20160216-column.html |title=Willie Pickens Makes a Belated Debut and Struggles with a Loss |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> A daughter, Bethany, also plays the piano professionally and has recorded with her father.<ref>{{cite web |last=Santella |first=Jim |date=March 19, 2006 |url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/willie-pickens-jazz-spirit-volume-1-and-2-by-jim-santella.php |title=Willie Pickens: Jazz Spirit, Volume 1 & 2 |website=[[All About Jazz]]}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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Pickens' wife is Irma Pickens.<ref name="CT">Reich, Howard (December 25, 2013) [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-12-25/entertainment/chi-willie-pickens-jazz-chicagoan-of-the-year-2013-20131225_1_willie-pickens-green-mill-chicago-jazz-festival "Willie Pickens: The Lion in Winter"]. ''Chicago Tribune''.</ref> A daughter, Bethany, also plays the piano professionally and has recorded with her father.<ref>Santella, Jim (March 19, 2006) [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/willie-pickens-jazz-spirit-volume-1-and-2-by-jim-santella.php "Willie Pickens: Jazz Spirit, Volume 1 & 2"]. AllAboutJazz.</ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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|''Jazz Spirit, Volume 1'' |
|''Jazz Spirit, Volume 1'' |
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|Southport |
|Southport |
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|Some tracks solo piano; some tracks duo, with Bethany |
|Some tracks solo piano; some tracks duo, with Bethany Pickens (piano); other tracks include Pat Mallinger (tenor sax, alto sax), [[Ari Brown]] (tenor sax), Tito Carril (flugelhorn), [[Marlene Rosenberg (musician)|Marlene Rosenberg]], [[Rob Amster]], [[Larry Gray]] (bass; separately), Kobie Watkins, Robert Shy (drums; separately) |
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|- |
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|2005 |
|2005 |
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|1966 |
|1966 |
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|{{sortname|Bunky|Green}} |
|{{sortname|Bunky|Green}} |
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|''Playin' for Keeps'' |
|''[[Playin' for Keeps (Bunky Green album)|Playin' for Keeps]]'' |
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|Cadet |
|Cadet |
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|1999 |
|1999 |
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|{{sortname|Malachi|Thompson}} |
|{{sortname|Malachi|Thompson}} |
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|'' |
|''[[Talking Horns]]'' |
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|Delmark |
|Delmark |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=willie-pickens-mn0000583991}} |
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*{{Discogs artist|599643-Willie-Pickens}} |
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*{{IMDb name|5798063}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pickens, Willie}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pickens, Willie}} |
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[[Category:1931 births]] |
[[Category:1931 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:2017 deaths]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:African-American jazz pianists]] |
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[[Category:Musicians from Milwaukee]] |
[[Category:Musicians from Milwaukee]] |
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[[Category:Military personnel from Milwaukee]] |
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[[Category:University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee alumni]] |
[[Category:University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee alumni]] |
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[[Category:Wisconsin Conservatory of Music alumni]] |
[[Category:Wisconsin Conservatory of Music alumni]] |
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[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]] |
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[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American pianists]] |
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]] |
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[[Category:21st-century American pianists]] |
[[Category:21st-century American pianists]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]] |
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[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]] |
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[[Category:American male jazz pianists]] |
Latest revision as of 09:32, 11 April 2024
Willie Pickens | |
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Born | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | April 18, 1931
Died | December 12, 2017 Manhattan, New York | (aged 86)
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, educator |
Instrument(s) | Piano |
Years active | 1958–2017 |
Willie Pickens (April 18, 1931 – December 12, 2017) was an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator.
Early life[edit]
Pickens was born in Milwaukee on April 18, 1931.[1] He studied piano formally from the age of 14.[1] He attended Lincoln High School in Milwaukee with saxophonist Bunky Green.[2] Pickens also studied at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.[1]
Later life and career[edit]
Pickens joined the army in 1951.[1] He obtained a B.S. in music education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1958 and moved to Chicago in the same year.[1]
In the early 1960s, Pickens played on saxophonist Eddie Harris' first four recordings for Vee-Jay Records.[3]: 655 His period with Harris lasted between 1960 and 1966.[1] Pickens taught music at public schools from 1966 until 1990.[1] He was also a faculty member of the American Conservatory of Music between 1971 and 1987.[1][4]
Pickens recorded with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco in 1977,[3]: 364 and drummer Louis Bellson in 1994.[3]: 109 Pickens played in drummer Elvin Jones' band between 1990 and 1997,[1] including internationally.[5]
According to The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, "Pickens appeared regularly at international jazz festivals and performed at Chicago Jazz Festival almost yearly from its inception."[1] For jazz musicians in Chicago, Pickens has become "a revered mentor to younger players and a symbol of the music itself", in the words of a Chicago Tribune commentator.[6] He also taught at Northern Illinois University's School of Music.[1][4] Saxophonist Lou Donaldson once told Donald Harrison, "Willie Pickens is one of the last great bebop pianists."[7]
Pickens died of a heart attack in Manhattan, New York, at the age of 86.[8][9] His wife, Irma, died in 2015 after 55 years of marriage.[6][10] A daughter, Bethany, also plays the piano professionally and has recorded with her father.[11]
Discography[edit]
An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader[edit]
Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel/Notes |
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1987 | It's About Time! | Southport | Trio, with Dan Shapera (bass), Robert Shy (drums); reissued on CD with concert solo piano tracks from 1981 and 1986[12] |
1998 | Jazz Christmas | Southport | Quartet, with Nicholas Payton (trumpet, flugelhorn), Larry Gray (bass), Robert Shy (drums) |
2000 | Ain't Misbehavin' | Concord Jazz | Duo, with Marian McPartland (piano) |
2005 | Mr Swing | Pony Canyon | Trio, with George Mraz (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums); also released as Dark Eyes |
2005 | Jazz Spirit, Volume 1 | Southport | Some tracks solo piano; some tracks duo, with Bethany Pickens (piano); other tracks include Pat Mallinger (tenor sax, alto sax), Ari Brown (tenor sax), Tito Carril (flugelhorn), Marlene Rosenberg, Rob Amster, Larry Gray (bass; separately), Kobie Watkins, Robert Shy (drums; separately) |
2005 | Jazz Spirit, Volume 2 | Southport | As Jazz Spirit, Volume 1; differences are Pat Mallinger (alto sax), Tito Carrillo (trumpet, flugelhorn) |
2010* | Just Like Me | Skiptone | Duo, with Milton Suggs (vocals) |
As sideman[edit]
Year recorded | Leader | Title | Label |
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1961 | Eddie Harris | Exodus to Jazz | Vee-Jay |
1961 | Eddie Harris | Mighty Like a Rose | Vee-Jay |
1961 | Eddie Harris | Jazz for "Breakfast at Tiffany's" | Vee-Jay |
1961–62 | Eddie Harris | A Study in Jazz | Vee-Jay |
1963 | Eddie Harris | For Bird and Bags | Exodus |
1966 | Bunky Green | Playin' for Keeps | Cadet |
1977 | Buddy DeFranco | Gone with the Wind | Storyville |
1990s | Francine Griffin | The Song Bird | Delmark |
1991 | Elvin Jones | In Europe | Enja |
1992 | Elvin Jones | Going Home | Enja |
1993 | Elvin Jones | It Don't Mean a Thing | Enja |
1993 | Steve Grossman | Time to Smile | Dreyfus |
1994 | Louie Bellson | Salute | Chiaroscuro |
1994 | Ed Peterson | The Haint | Delmark |
1995 | Clark Terry | Top and Bottom Brass | Chiaroscuro |
1997 | Frank Catalano | Cut It Out | Delmark |
1998 | Von Freeman | 75th Birthday Celebration | Half Note |
1998 | Von Freeman | Von & Ed | Delmark |
1999 | Malachi Thompson | Talking Horns | Delmark |
2014* | Peter Lerner | Continuation | Origin |
Main source:[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gillaspie, Deborah. "Pickens, Willie". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- ^ Stokes, W. Royal (1993). The Jazz Scene. Oxford University Press. p. 125.
- ^ a b c d Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin Books.
- ^ a b "Willie Pickens". Northern Illinois University. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
- ^ D'Souza, Jerry (February 22, 2009). "Elvin Jones Jazz Machine". All About Jazz.
- ^ a b Reich, Howard (December 25, 2013). "Willie Pickens: The Lion in Winter". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Wyckoff, Geraldine (January 9, 2017). "Another Solid Week of Musical Offerings". The Louisiana Weekly.
- ^ Reich, Howard (December 13, 2017). "Chicago piano titan Willie Pickens dies at 86". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Hill, Tonia (December 13, 2017). "Legendary Jazz Musician Willie Pickens Has Died". Hyde Park Herald.
- ^ Reich, Howard (February 16, 2016). "Willie Pickens Makes a Belated Debut and Struggles with a Loss". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Santella, Jim (March 19, 2006). "Willie Pickens: Jazz Spirit, Volume 1 & 2". All About Jazz.
- ^ Gribetz, Sid (May 1999) "Willie Pickens – It's About Time!". JazzTimes.
External links[edit]
- Willie Pickens at AllMusic
- Willie Pickens discography at Discogs
- Willie Pickens at IMDb
- 1931 births
- 2017 deaths
- African-American jazz pianists
- Musicians from Milwaukee
- Military personnel from Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee alumni
- Wisconsin Conservatory of Music alumni
- 20th-century African-American musicians
- 21st-century African-American musicians
- 20th-century American pianists
- 21st-century American pianists
- 20th-century American male musicians
- 21st-century American male musicians
- American male jazz pianists