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Hi all,

I'm a piano player (do piano bar work) and piano teacher, and I want to expand my pop knowledge and repertoire.

I've always been at least as interested in pop music as I am in other styles like classical and jazz, but I feel like I haven't kept up with the latest pop artists like I used to.

So I'm wondering - who are you favourite piano-based pop singers and songwriters from the last 15 years?

Obviously I'm familiar with old stuff like Elton, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder. And I'm a huge Tori Amos fan. I know bits and pieces by Vanessa Carlton and Alicia Keys.

What else am I missing out on?

Thanks,
-Paul

Well, it depends on your definition of pop. There's Norah Jones, Sarah Mclachlan, and Sheryl Crow, to name a few. They may not be recent, exactly.

How about Bruce Hornsby?

Coldplay

Rufus Wainwright
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHu4qfKaruQ&feature=related

Ben Folds

Thanks everyone.

I am familiar with most of these. Ben Folds is great.

I don't know much Bruce Hornsby beyond "The Way It Is", which I love. Sarah McLachalan is okay - a bit Tori-lite for me, perhaps.

I like Sheryl Crow and Coldplay very much, but I'm not sure if I would say they were piano-based (especially the former).

Norah leaves me a little bored.

Rufus Wainwright's catalogue is definitely something I should get to know better.

Anyone else? I wondered if there were some newer/younger artists that I'd missed out on ...
-Paul

I like Korean artist Yiruma's compositions, especially:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1p_ebSseEq8

and:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=jCSe66pWNmc


Calling it pop is a stretch, maybe borderline contemporary new-age, but he definitely meets your criteria: young, popular with his many fans, and current.

Thanks for that, KlinkKlonk. I know all of "Want One" and a few songs from "Want Two", but I missed this one. Great selection.

-Jason

Regina Spektor is easily my favorite songwriter of the last decade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LziZ...p;playnext=1&list=PLB7CC405F8ECEF970

Lady Gaga's music works surprisingly well on piano.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgChlUnjCgo

Here's a very small sample of popular (piano playing) artists and songs I enjoy:

Canadian , Patrick Watson , in this piece "To build a Home" with Cinematic Orchestra. Lots more of his music available on Youtube.

http://youtu.be/bjjc59FgUpg

Imogen Heap performing her piece "Hide and Seek"

http://youtu.be/eAKh26bfkpw

and the brilliant Thom Yorke (Radiohead) playing solo piano, his piece "Videotape".

http://youtu.be/-kCKob1YKOU

Keane.
http://www.youtube.com/user/KeaneVEVO

Somewhere Only We Know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oextk-If8HQ

Is It Any Wonder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlGqF3eTgcs

But in my opinion, the best piano bar I went to... The guys were able to play any thing, from any genre from classical to rap.

Matt Bellamy of Muse wrote some great music with piano in their earlier albums. He is quite the proficient piano player as well as an excellent guitarist.

I like all the suggestions above plus

The Fray
Fiona Apple
Joshua Kadison
Jack's Mannequin / Something Corporate
Sara Barelis

I'll second Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright. The former rips on the piano, and has a great sense of Pop. The latter is more Lyrical, and not quite as good a pianist, but still worthwhile.

Check out Ben Folds ripping up the piano on his "Philosophy" (especially starting at around 3:40): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i76r0B3o1c

Love it.

For lyrical songwriting, you can't beat "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" by Rufus Wainwright:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6N0sNMKFO4

Then, of course, there's the two of them them together going all cheese on George Michael's "Careless Whispers": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q01WCVrgQaU



This Rufus Wainwright has

Perhaps not as "piano-y" but still able to be covered on piano and seriously fun is the lesser known party band Man Man with a lead singer that plays a Wurlitzer:

Here's a great one of them crammed into the back of a cab:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4E1V4nalbQ&feature=related

And my favorite song of theirs, "Van Hesling Boombox":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-7I6Fw5LUY&NR=1

Coldplay is my choice.

Meatloaf songs are great on piano, and are sometimes a little challenging to play, but everybody will enjoy them.

Lady Gaga/Adele are quite modern artists whose songs are also great to play on piano.

You may wish to check out John Legend especially his hit - Ordinary People.