Mary Lou Williams, as a pianist and composer. Toshiko Akiyoshi is a supreme virtuoso and top composer and improviser. Jessica Williams is a firebrand virtuoso pianist. read more
Lizst (by reputation), Anton Rubinstein (ditto), Hofmanm (the 20th century's greatest pianist -- can be heard on early recordings), Horowitz. I heard Horowitz perform live and the recordings don't begin to do him justice. read more
This includes the most prominent jazz pianists, living and dead, both in America and abroad. read more