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Foto van schrijverBlanka Pesja

10 pianist/keyboardist you should know


Have you noticed how you can watch two women play keys in the most funky and inspiring way and none of them are mentioned...like... anywhere. I'm talking about Rose Stone and I'm guessing her sister Vet Stone.


You probably have seen well known performers such as Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, and Lady Gaga play the piano.


But let's go down memory lane and remember pioneering Kate Bush singing her 'crazy' pop song behind a grand piano. We had never seen anything like it in 1978.


And let's not forget that amazing debut album Tapestry by Carole King. The homely cat, the relaxed bare feet and fancy flared jeans, all made the piano popular up.


You can't think of musical keyboardists in the seventies and not think of Christine McVie joining Fleetwood Mac.


Then there is Holly Knight! Holy moly, she won thirteen ASCAP Awards, and has co written numerous hits for successful musicians such as Tina Turner and Pat Benatar (each winning Grammy Awards for their recordings of her co-written songs)


Here you can check out another amazing keyboardist who knows how to write songs for other performers. Look at that long impressive list of successful artists, recording and sampling Brenda Russel's songs.


Besides being an awesome musician, Tori Amos is an admirable activist. She was the first national spokesperson for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) organization. A concert held in honor of her 50th birthday raised money for RAINN.


Another amazing musician and social activist is Fiona Apple. She donated two years royalties from her song Criminal to the While They Wait fund.


Can't leave Lisa Coleman out, can I? Part of the duo Wendy&Lisa in 1986. In 2010 they were awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Original Main Title for their theme to Nurse Jackie an American medical comedy drama. They also shared the honor of winners of a Grammy and Oscar for being part of The Revolution, as Purple Rain won two Grammys, and the Oscar for Best Original Score.

Alright, more than 10 musicians mentioned already, let's just throw in a few more, who's counting anyway:


Akiko Yano, Anna Gilbert, and Diana Krall and....so many more



When you hear a yet unknown woman play keys think of the torch she is carrying.


Julia Performing @Wendelmoet Session 4 September 2019, Q-Factory, Amsterdam



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