What is the best piano jazz trio album of all time?

The piano trio is jazz's most intimate format — three voices in constant conversation. These albums showcase the sublime interplay between piano, bass, and drums at its most magical.

1. 1
   Sunday at the Village Vanguard

   Bill Evans Trio's 1961 landmark — the album that redefined piano-trio interplay.
2. 2
   The Köln Concert

   Keith Jarrett's 1975 solo improvisation masterpiece — deservedly the best-selling jazz piano album.
3. 3
   Waltz for Debby

   Bill Evans Trio's 1961 Village Vanguard live set — melodic piano trio perfection.
4. 4
   We Get Requests

   Oscar Peterson Trio's 1964 album — the smoothest, swingingest piano trio of its era.
5. 5
   Now He Sings, Now He Sobs

   Chick Corea's 1968 trio debut — acoustic piano trio mastery before fusion called.
6. 6
   But Not for Me

   Ahmad Jamal Trio's 1958 live set — minimalism and swing at the Pershing.
7. 7
   The Art of the Trio Vol. 3

   Brad Mehldau's 1998 album — a modern piano trio approach with rock and classical influences.
8. 8
   Explorations

   Bill Evans Trio's 1961 studio album with Scott LaFaro — cerebral, emotional, essential.
9. 9
   Esbjörn Svensson Trio - Strange Place for Snow

   E.S.T.'s 2002 album — Scandinavian piano trio's new template.
10. 10
    Keith Jarrett - Standards Vol. 1

    Keith Jarrett's 1983 standards trio debut with Peacock and DeJohnette — a new piano-trio era.
11. 11
    Thelonious Himself

    Thelonious Monk's 1957 solo piano album — Monk at his most introspective.
12. 12
    Hiromi - Voice

    Hiromi's 2011 trio album with Anthony Jackson and Simon Phillips — jazz virtuosity reborn.