Have you been playing the piano for a while? Have you only just begun learning how to play? You may need a little inspiration to maintain your interest in this beautiful instrument.
With over 7500 working parts, only a few musicians can bring out this instrument’s true beauty.
If you would love the opportunity to be able to play this instrument even half as well as these people, you need to be dedicated and committed to spending time practicing in order to improve.
Of course, you can always look to those considered great pianists to inspire you. In this article, we will look at some of the most famous piano players of the 21st Century.
6 Famous Piano Players in the 21st Century
So, who has made it onto our list of some of the famous 21st Century piano players?
Alicia Keys
Born in 1981, Alicia Keys is now a world-renowned R&B, soul, and pop music pianist trained as a classical pianist.
By the age of twelve, she had begun to compose her pieces. By the time she turned 13, she was deeply involved in the music industry.
Even though many tried to make her conform, she fought hard to maintain her personality, which has helped her to become one of the most recognizable female pianists of this century. As a result, she became known for a particular style and look.
Over the last 20 years, she has been nominated for 29 awards and won 15 Grammys, which has helped her to become one of the biggest names in the music industry. She has also been initiated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
We have included her in our list as we feel she is one of the best-selling music artists of this time and has helped set the tone during the 21st Century.
Robert Glasper
Robert Glasper was born in Texas in 1978 and is one of the world’s most influential jazz pianists of the 21st Century.
This American pianist has composed some fantastic mellow pieces of music. Those come with complex harmonies that include hip-hop influence within them.
At an early age, Robert developed his sound while playing in church. This is where he studied how to hear harmony. In fact, by the time he was 12, he was regularly playing piano in the church where his family went.
Then, as he grew older, he began experimenting and fusing gospel and jazz harmonies together.
His acceptance at Houston’s High School for Performing Arts helped his career as a pianist to take off. At age 26, his first album, “Mood,” was released by the record label Fresh Sound.
Since the release of his first album, Robert Glasper has been asked to perform at various venues and festivals around the world.
He did this while simultaneously continuing to work as a music producer and director. Along with composing music for films.
Cory Henry
Cory Henry was born in 1987 and is a world-renowned music producer, jazz pianist, organist, and American gospel musician.
From the age of two, he was able to play the piano as well as the B3 organ. You may be surprised to learn that he made his first official appearance at the age of six when appearing at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Still, it wasn’t until 2006 that his music career began. This is when he started touring with various mainstream and gospel artists.
Since then, he has been the recipient of two Grammy Awards and his band. He received the first in 2014 when he was awarded the Best R&B performance. He received the second in 2015 for the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
Cory Henry is a famous pianist of the 21st Century who recognizes the influential other pianists who have come before him.
He also understands how important the future is and is one of the most compelling pianists of this time.
Diana Krall
Although born in 1964, Diana Krall may be a surprise addition to our list. She is a widely respected female pianist.
She is considered to be one of the best-selling jazz pianists alive. Born in Canada, Diana is a singer and songwriter. She has become one of the most famous of all pianists and best-selling music artists in the 21st Century.
She was taught and mentored by one of the world’s most acclaimed pianists, Oscar Peterson, who is considered one of the greatest Jazz pianists of all time.
Like her mentor Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall´s style of playing the piano is heavily influenced by blues music.
It is not only her style but also her fantastic voice that has helped her develop a very unique sound.
She is only one of the pianists on our list who has been able to combine her piano playing with a fantastic voice.
Jacob Collier
This young British pianist is someone who may well inspire many to want to learn how to play the piano.
He really is that talented.
Just like others on our list, he isn’t only a pianist, he is able to play a variety of instruments. He also can play drums, bass, and guitar, to name just a few.
During his teen years, he was touted as a fantastic talent by the likes of Quincy Jones. Since then his popularity has grown.
But it was through YouTube that his Grammy award-winning arrangements of the “Flintstones” theme and “Fascinating Rhythm” helped him to reach a much wider audience.
Even now he is constantly on a quest to learn more and has a passion for harmony. It is his devotion to learning that has also helped to make him one of the 21st Century´s best pianists.
Jon Batiste
Born Johnathan Batiste, this 33-year-old jazz pianist, is definitely one that should be included in the list of the most famous 21st Century pianists.
For several years now, he has been a vocal supporter of American jazz.
Unlike some of the other pianists we’ve included on this list, he didn’t start to learn to play the piano until he was 11. At the age of eight, he was a member of his family’s band where he played the drums and percussion instruments.
He began learning to play the piano after his mum suggested that he should.
He became famous for being a gospel singer because of his album Social Music which he performed with the band he founded called Stay Human.
You will notice that his musical style is influenced strongly by the kind played by New Orleans bands. Through his modernization of such, he has helped to give this style of music a new life.
As a result, millions of people around the world have been attracted to it and him.
Let’s Wrap Things Up
We’ve looked in depth at a few of the most famous 21st Century pianists alive.
There are plenty of others we could have included in this talented pianist list, all of whom could motivate you to learn or improve your skills.
Of course, if you would like help, whether it is to learn to play the piano or improve your skills, we can help you!
Why not let us know of any pianists you feel should have been included in our list, or tell us who your favorite is above? Simply let us know by leaving a comment below.