Joe Zawinul

He started as a fully funky Soul Jazz keyboardist, on his own and as a brilliant accompanist for Cannonball Adderley, but this Viennese pianist went on to influence thousands of musicians. On the Fender Rhodes he created steaming grooves, filled with bluesy Bebop runs, and later work on synthesizer proved his exquisite taste and inherent musicality. In addition to his skills as a keyboard player, Zawinul is a talented writer, composing hits like "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and the title track to Miles Davis' classic album In a Silent Way. Zawinul helped create Fusion in the early '70s, alongside Davis and fellow keyboard players Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. As a sideman and as a founding member of Weather Report he got a chance to put his own stamp of jazz injected with rock's energy and rhythm. Zawinul continues to explore new musical ideas, injecting emotion into all of his playing whether he's working in the realm of electronic or acoustic jazz.