FOREWORD

by
Don Glanden

Jazz pianists everywhere pursue their art in small clubs and bars, where they are
often free to develop improvisational skill but seldom in the presence of an attentive
audience. The opportunities to perform in concert halls, or in clubs dedicated solely to
jazz, are coveted but are much too rare for the majority of jazz musicians. Much of the
development in the playing of individual musicians occurs with few listeners sharing in
the creative experience. Of course, a musician doesn’t require the presence of an attentive
audience to enter into a deep musical experience. However, when there are people present
who listen intently, are moved by the music, and respond, another dimension of
involvement is added--a rewarding one that enriches the player and listener alike.

Whenever Arnie Fox goes to listen to music in a club, he raises the level of
communication between performer and audience. His extraordinary focus on the content
of the music encourages musicians to experience a high level of engagement, regardless
of the setting. He often takes notes, asks questions about repertoire, and makes many
observations about style, technique, rhythmic approach, and historical perspective. I’m
sure that countless jazz pianists (including myself) have been encouraged to look up from
the instrument and see Arnie with his wife, Diana, listening to every note. One such
pianist, the great Bernard Peiffer, inspired Compendium of Over 2000 Jazz Pianists.
Peiffer’s remarkable playing at the Woodland Inn near Philadelphia in 1961 stunned
Arnie, and motivated him to produce a work that would bring much deserved attention to
many extraordinary but lesser known pianists.
 With the explosion of information on the Internet, easy access to an extensive
amount of musical documentation has become a reality. Discographies, biographies,
career itineraries, and critical documentation through archived reviews are available to
serious researchers, jazz aficionados, and casual fans. What makes Compendium of Over
2000 Jazz Pianists special is its personal approach and the underlying motivation of the
author. The book provides an extensive list of jazz pianists, each of whom has been
researched personally by Arnie Fox, who invested hundreds of hours of critical listening
in this project. Also included is the recommendation of a single representative recording
for each pianist. The book fulfills the author’s objective, to provide readers with an
introduction to the work of many creative musicians that may have been overlooked in
the reader’s own listening experience.

Compendium of Over 2000 Jazz Pianists will be a welcome addition to the

libraries of jazz piano aficionados. It is a wonderful source for motivated listeners
looking to expand their knowledge of the many musicians who have contributed to the art
of jazz piano. Thank you, Arnie Fox, for your commitment to this project, and for your
desire to share your enthusiasm and dedication to jazz with others.

Don Glanden
Division Head, Graduate Jazz Studies
Coordinator, Piano Studies
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
January 28, 2007