Wow it’s been a rough week for Music Legends. I just learned that Jazz Pianist Hank Jones passed away yesterday May 16th, he was 91 years old.
Hank came from a musical family that included brothers Thad (trumpet) and Elvin (drums). He recorded over 60 records under his own name and countless others as a sideman.
I had the pleasure of seeing him play at Iridium in NYC about 15 years ago. Mr. Jones emerged from the backstage area/kitchen and the audience erupted into applause. Smiling broadly he glanced down at my table and whispered to me, “I haven’t even played anything yet” and winked.
Thanks for all the wonderful music Hank.
I was just listening to his trio, with Betty Carter vocalist and Roy Hargrove on trumpet, in celebration of Betty Carter’s birthday, which was on the day he died. Hank Jones may not have been a household name, but he played with the best, and was respected by everyone in the music industry. He lived a long and very productive life, and, to use a cliche, his music will live on. He was a true class act!
I’m listening to ‘The Oracle’ with Billy Higgins and Dave Holland…a forgotten classic and sadly out of print like much of his music. Like you said Karen, Hank may not have been a household name but among Jazz fans and more importantly his peers he was a Giant.