I thought maybe we could suggest some records with great piano playing on them. Since my primary instrument is bass, I'm a big fan of Ray Brown. Ray played with some great pianists over the years, particularly Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris, Monty Alexander, Benny Green, and Geoff Keezer. One record I would recommend to anyone is the trio CD "Summer Wind" with Gene Harris at the piano:

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/Summer-Wind-Live-At-The-Loa/

If you don't know Gene Harris, this is a good place to start. He is simply amazing! Also, Ray sounds great on this record, and Jeff Hamilton is just an incredible drummer. Check it out!

Another record I've always loved, in a slightly mellower vein, is Wynton Kelly's quartet album, simply called "Piano":

http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/Piano/

This is a great version of "Whisper Not" and a really nice groove in "Strong Man".

Are there records in your collection where you really dig the piano playing? Let us know!

I really enjoy Stan Getz' "Anniversary", with Kenny Barron.

I've been listening to Erroll Garner from birth. If you can get your hands on "Up in Errolls Room" listen to what he does in bars 17-32 of The Girl from Ipanema (not counting the intro). I am amazed every single time I listen to this. His left hand plays an offbeat rhythm (not like his usual 4/4 left hand style) while his right hand is playing the melody in chords. Amazing and Impossible! 23 second clip here: http://www.aliphon.com/roland/erroipan.mp3

Mrs Mills - Anytime is Party Time
The Crusaders - Images (Rhodes Piano)
Bill Evans - The Bill Evans Album (only bought it cos he played Rhodes on it)
Bob James - One, Two, Three, BJ4 Box Set (I love the Rhodes piano!)
Herbie Hancock - Secrets, Man Child, Thrust, Head Hunters

The reference to Mrs Mills made me smile but may be lost on people outside the UK and not of a certain age. I'll have you know that in 1966 she presented me with a prize although there wasn't really room for two of us on the stage.

Being a life-long Ray Charles fan I've always enjoyed his playing. He made some great instrumental albums such as
Genius after hours
Genius + soul = jazz
and two with Milt Jackson (the MJQ vibes player)

Also being a hammond organist, I've long been a big fan of Brother Jack Mcduff
Great album:
The Concert Mcduff - this features a young George Benson.

Paul

Some piano players I like:

Jessica Williams - in the key of Monk - (anything by her is great)
Thelonious Monk At The Five Spot (My favorite pianist)
Ahmad Jamal Trio Recordings 51-56 (All of his CDs are great)
Bobby Timmons, Dat Dare (a favorite song)
Brad Mehidau, Anything Goes (very contemporary new music)
Mingus Plays Piano
Marian McPartland
Hiromi - Beyond Standard

A friend of mine recently turned me on to Jacky Terrasson. He won the Monk competition a few years back. You can find a lot of clips of him on YouTube, he has a MySpace page, and a new album coming out later this month. I picked up A Paris a couple of weeks ago and it's great.