Cool jazz piano: from classic favorites to hidden gems.
Even within what we broadly call jazz, there are countless subgenres, and it’s fascinating how the sound itself changes depending on which instrument takes center stage.
As the name suggests, “jazz piano,” where the piano is the main focus, is an especially popular style of jazz in Japan.
There are many classic tunes that everyone has heard at least once, and I imagine quite a few jazz beginners start out by listening to a piano trio album.
In this article, we’ve gathered timeless tracks from across eras—including recent jazz—that feature up-tempo, cool, and stylish piano within the realm of jazz piano.
If you usually gravitate toward lyrical, slow jazz piano, this is a great chance to check out something different!
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Cool jazz piano. From classic favorites to hidden gems (11–20)
Daylight saving timeGeorge Gershwin
How about a soothing lullaby that’s perfect for a languid summer afternoon? It’s a piece from George Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess, first introduced to the world in 1935.
This work blends the free-spirited feel of jazz with the beauty of classical music, gently embracing the listener’s heart.
Though the melody is simple, you can sense deep emotions drifting beneath the surface.
The lyrics portray a mother’s love as she soothes her child and a quiet hope for the future, imbued with the spiritual worldview of African Americans.
It’s also known for its effective use in the 1959 film adaptation of Porgy and Bess.
Tenderly accompanying hearts weary from the heat and offering a peaceful moment, this piece is recommended for anyone who wants to relax and savor music at an unhurried pace.
HopoponoGoGo Penguin
GoGo Penguin is a piano trio from Manchester, UK, known for their refined, forward-thinking style, and they’re highly popular in Japan as well.
This track unfolds from a minimal motif that ripples outward, portraying a back-and-forth between exhilaration and introspection as if racing through a city night.
The crisp, tactile beat and classical harmonies hold impatience and hope in the same space.
It was included on the album v2.0, released in March 2014, and also appeared on the Deluxe Edition that October.
It’s perfect for late-night drives or deep focus—tune in to the details and savor the low-end swell and the piano’s hypnotic repetitions.
RainKenny Barron
Its delicate, story-rich performance is like a gentle spring rain quietly falling.
This gem of a duo by American artists Kenny Barron and Dave Holland weaves an elegant world that seeps into the heart.
Featured on their 2014 album The Art of Conversation, this piece captures the multifaceted character of rain through a resonant dialogue between piano and bass.
The refined melodies and deep, resonant sound tenderly envelop moments of quiet reflection—listening to raindrops by the window or yearning for the arrival of spring.
Perfect for a calm afternoon tea or as a companion to reading on a rainy day, it is sure to create a lovely, soothing interlude.
Fly Me To The MoonBart Howard
Known as a jazz standard, Fly Me To The Moon is a classic that continues to be performed in a variety of arrangements, from Frank Sinatra’s vocal version to instrumental covers by jazz artists.
It was also used as the ending theme for Neon Genesis Evangelion, so many people first discovered the song through Eva.
The chord progression itself isn’t particularly complex and is largely repetitive, making it a good choice for beginners.
If you actually try playing the melody and chords on the piano, you’ll notice how stylish and sophisticated it sounds.
The secret to that stylish feel lies in the sound of seventh chords used throughout the piece.
Even just sticking to the basics—melody in the right hand and chords in the left—lets you enjoy that chic vibe.
So if you’re a beginner who wants to play something stylish on the piano or try a jazz-like tune, definitely give it a shot!
Fly With the WindMcCoy Tyner
McCoy Tyner, a legendary pianist in jazz history, was a great musician who began his career in the 1950s and continued to lead the scene for many years until his passing in 2020 at age 81.
In BLUE GIANT, the piece performed during practice by the protagonist Dai Miyamoto, the virtuoso pianist Yukinori Sawabe, and the novice drummer Tamada is the title track from McCoy’s classic 1976 album Fly With The Wind.
It’s remarkable that a beginner tackled an over-eight-minute piece right off the bat—and that the original drummer on the recording was the ultra-technical Billy Cobham.
By the way, the original features flute rather than saxophone, and is distinguished by a flowing, opulent ensemble with added strings!