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I've been playing Jazz guitar for 8 years as my main thing in life. I have piano skills, I do not improvise but I have what I call "arranger's piano" skills where I certainly can figure anything out on piano.
Books are only a source not a teacher. However, a good book for Piano and Jazz is Mark Lavien's Jazz Piano and Jazz Theory books. The Theory book is Cannonic, just about everyone studies this book at some point in time because it is so complete and filled with lots of examples to play.
My Brother is adjunct Facutly at the University if North Texas for jazz piano which is one of the largest and top ranked Jazz programs in the world. I am a student here now as well. I've heard a hell of a lot of good piano players. It takes dedication and a good ear.
If you are interested in Jazz Piano you should check out for starters...
Art Tatum
Nat Cole
Ahmad Jamal
Oscar Peterson
Bud Powell
Bill Evans
Red Garland
Wynton Kelley
These are some of the really vital and important Jazz Pianists in the golden eras of Jazz. However check out horn players etc
Charlie Parker
Miles Davis
Louis Armstrong
Duke Ellington
John Coltrane
Sonny Rollins
Joe Henderson
Freddie Hubbard
Wes Montgomery
Jim Hall
JJ Johnson
The list could go on endlessly. There really are far to many people to check out. But you will find there is a core list of players that are innovators of the music through it's various changes in direction.
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"A real leader faces the music, even if he doesn't like the tune." - unknown quote
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