[2026] Jazz piano masterpieces: from standards to recent favorites

FantasistaMarc Van Roon

Fantasista

An original composition by Mark van Roon, pianist of the European Jazz Trio.

Performed in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

An afternoon tea-time setting in a pleasant room.

The audience’s relaxed atmosphere makes you feel as if you’re right there.

Softly As In A Morning SunriseWynton Kelly

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise

This piece, also widely known by its Japanese title “Asahi no Yō ni Sawayaka ni,” is one of the standard tunes often played at jazz sessions.

Over its relatively simple chord progression, how a solo is developed truly showcases the soloist’s skill, and the piece reveals a variety of expressions depending on the pianist performing it.

In A Sentimental MoodDuke Ellington & John Coltrane

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane – In a sentimental mood

Recorded in 1962.

The whispered, ephemeral piano of the master Ellington is beautiful, isn’t it? The piano lines that gently accompany the young saxophonist are unimaginably beautiful, and the session between these two feels miraculous.

Truly a supreme track.

Is there any other piece so overflowing with euphoria?

Fly Me to the MoonOscar Peterson

Fly Me to the Moon

Because “Fly Me to the Moon” was used as the ending theme for the TV anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, it may be strongly associated in Japan with vocal jazz or bossa nova.

However, its melodic charm remains fully intact in 4-beat piano jazz as well.

For some listeners, it might even sound refreshingly new.

You go to my headTommy Flanagan

Tommy Flanagan Trio_You Go to My Head

Raised in a musical family with a guitarist father and a pianist mother, he left his recordings not only with his own trio but also on numerous classic jazz albums.

His unadorned, sophisticated piano style—gentle and supportive to all—has been highly praised and earned him four Grammy nominations.

This piece, composed in 1938 as American popular music with lyrics, remains a jazz standard beloved by many artists, including vocalists, to this day.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Song for My FatherHorace Silver

Horace Silver – Song for My Father

Released in 1965 by hit-maker Horace Silver, who was active with the Jazz Messengers, this Song for My Father is said to have been born from his experiences traveling in Brazil.

Because Silver’s father was of Portuguese descent, the piece received its title.

A key figure in the development of hard bop, Silver—perhaps drawing on his father’s roots—also showed a deep interest in African and Latin music, skillfully incorporating those influences into his compositions and arrangements.

It’s a track distinguished by his crisp, incisive piano playing.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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MistyErroll Garner

Erroll Garner plays Misty

Here is a beautiful ballad composed in 1954 by jazz pianist Erroll Garner.

He came up with the idea for the piece while flying, gazing out the airplane window shrouded in fog.

Since he couldn’t write music, it’s said that he rushed to the hotel piano to play it so it could be recorded before he forgot it.

Because of that origin, the piece originally had no lyrics, but words were later added, and it has since become a favorite among vocalists as well.

It’s one of the most famous jazz ballads—easily among the top five.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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