Bob Degen

Bob Degen Jr., born January 24, 1944, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is an American jazz pianist who's made his name especially in the intimate trio format. A real musicians' musician, he studied with Madame Chaloff alongside jazz giants like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Steve Kuhn, and Keith Jarrett at Berklee College of Music—heck, he even had the practice slot right after Keith—and by age 10, he'd already jammed with Dave Brubeck's drummer Joe Morello.

Degen hit the scene in the '60s, playing with young Tony Williams in Boston, then headed to Europe in 1965 to gig with heavyweights like Dexter Gordon, Art Farmer, and Attila Zoller before forming a trio back home with Paul Motian and Mark Levinson. He recorded standout albums for labels like Calig, Enja, and Trio through the '60s, '70s, and into the '80s, staying active into the '90s and beyond with his signature piano jazz vibe.