Bands & artists like Paul Motian

If you like Paul Motian, these artists play in similar sounds, ideas, or styles. Use this as a starting point to branch out and find something new to listen to.

New to Paul Motian? Start with our listening guide.

Artists to try next

Charles Lloyd

Charles Lloyd

Lloyd's saxophone playing often embraces free jazz elements with a lyrical quality, paralleling the intricate conversations found in Motian's music.

blues jazz
Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett

Guide

Jarrett's improvisational style and use of space in his performances resonate with the fluidity and depth of Motian's compositions.

jazz
Joe Lovano

Joe Lovano

Guide

Lovano's rich tonal palette and exploratory approach to jazz align closely with the intricate rhythmic dialogues characteristic of Motian's work.

jazz post-bop
Chick Corea

Chick Corea

Guide

Corea's innovative fusion of jazz styles and his nuanced piano playing create a texture that complements the complexity found in Motian's music.

avant-garde jazz jazz post-bop
Tomasz Stańko

Tomasz Stańko

Stańko's trumpet sound is marked by a haunting quality that pairs well with the atmospheric elements present in Motian's compositions.

free jazz jazz
Paul Bley

Paul Bley

Guide

Bley's avant-garde approach to jazz piano shares a similar ethos of exploration and sparse textures as seen in Motian's works.

bebop jazz
Ornette Coleman

Ornette Coleman

Guide

Coleman's free jazz innovations and emphasis on collective improvisation resonate with the conversational aspects of Motian's style.

jazz
Cecil Taylor

Cecil Taylor

Taylor’s intense, percussive piano style creates an intricate tapestry that aligns with the complex rhythms found in Motian’s music.

avant-garde music jazz

Common questions

Who sounds like Paul Motian?

Artists similar to Paul Motian include Charles Lloyd, Keith Jarrett, Joe Lovano and Chick Corea. Each shares elements of Paul Motian's sound while bringing their own perspective.

What genre is Paul Motian?

Paul Motian is primarily known for free jazz. Motian's music unfolds with a delicate tension between sparse moments and intricate rhythmic conversations, creating a fluid yet grounded interplay that invites deep listening.

Where should I start if I like Paul Motian?

If you enjoy Paul Motian, start with Charles Lloyd — their album "Fish Out of Water" is a great entry point. Lloyd's saxophone playing often embraces free jazz elements with a lyrical quality, paralleling the intricate conversations found in Motian's music.