Al Haig
Genre: Jazz
Decades Active: 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s
One of the finest pianists of the bop era (and one who learned from Bud Powell's innovations quite early), Al Haig was quite busy during two periods of his career but unfortunately was pretty obscure in the years between. After serving in the Coast Guard (playing in bands during 1942-1944) and freelancing around Boston, Haig worked steadily with... [+] Read More
Genre: Jazz
Decades Active: 50s, 60s, 90s
Gildo Mahones labored in obscurity in the Los Angeles area for many years but remains a very talented bop-based pianist. Mahones played early on with Joe Morris in 1948 and Milt Jackson. After a period in the Army, he was Lester Young's regular pianist from 1953-56. Mahones gigged with the Jazz Modes (featuring Charlie Rouse and Julius Watkins),... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 50s
Born Pieternella Beck, this grand lady of the Dutch jazz scene has been swinging -- with only musical connotations intended -- ever since she ran away from home at the age of 18 to gig with a sextet. While members of her family all dabbled on various instruments, Beck had no formal training and has been said to possess a remarkable ear. She was... [+] Read More
