Request for help




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I am currently on a quest to learn more about the history of church piano styles during the 20th Century especially within mainstream Caucasian churches.  If you can help me, I would be very appreciative.

For the time being, I am not including either Southern Gospel or Black Gospel in this study.  While I enjoy these styles and find both of them fascinating, I think I have a pretty good idea of how they developed.

The piano music in the White American, traditional churches is more difficult to follow.  It is easy to see some influences but I am really interested in learning more about the mindset of the pianists who really set the direction.

Some names that were influential include Rudy Atwood as well as the Billy Graham musicians, including my former teacher John Innes and Tedd Smith.  I have books of arrangements from all these men.  Some students still play their work.  I was fascinated to see how many YouTube performances there are of Rudy Atwood performances.  I was sad to see that none of them are actually performed by Rudy Atwood.  That is surprising, seeing you can even find videos of earlier pianists such as Art Tatum on YouTube.

Dino came later, and I would say that he was also very influential among church piano players.  While there are numerous arrangers today (many extremely good), none have the influence that Dino did during his prime.

If you know of influential church pianists I am missing, please tell me.  Also, if you know of books or educational videos from these pianists, let me know that as well.  I would especially be interested in picking up a rare video course taught by Rudy Atwood called "Gospel Piano Techniques."  And if you know of books by influential church musicians that may have influenced those pianists, let me know of them.

Last, if you know of research papers or books on this topic, please point me toward those as well. Thanks in advance.









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Jean Cooke





Greg





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