I'm indebted to Hilary Gilby for passing on the sad news that Hank Jones passed away yesterday (May 16) age 91.
A pianist to be remembered not just as a brilliant soloist, which he was, but as the sideman's sideman. His career saw him in the rhythm section of just about everyone not least as an accompanist to Ella Fitzgerald and many other singers, including Chris Connor and Shirley Horn, both live and on record.
Despite his inclination to remain in the shadows he nevertheless picked up 5 Grammy nominations winning a Lifetime Recognition award in 2009.
I remember a knockout trio set he played at the North Sea Jazz Festival with George Duvivier (bs) and Frank Gant (dms) - see photo - back in the early '80s as well as hearing him on innumerable LPs and CDs.
He was on piano when Marilyn Monroe sang Happy Birthday Mister President to JFK in 1962.
RIP Hank - a true great.
Lance.
Sad day indeed... he was one of my serious influences.
ReplyDeleteHarley
Sad news. One of the greats - a musicians musician. In the late
ReplyDelete50s into the 60s Hank, Milt Hinton, Ossie Johnson and Barry Galbraith were known as THE New York rhythm section - the absolute top team for studio, session, reading work as well as straight ahead jazz playing.
Roly
For one keyboard artist from another.
ReplyDeleteHank Jones was the epitome of good taste! Wonderfully inventive, thoughtful, elegant soloist, and ultra-sympathetic accompanist.
ReplyDeleteA sad loss - thank God for records!