Hank Jones was a jazz pianist of the post-war decades, whose active recording career spanned 60 years, but who did much of his most renowned work during the post-bop years of the 1950s. Jones, one of seven children, was raised in a musical family and studied piano at an early age under the influence of Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum.
Learning his trade as bebop developed in the 40s, he was a noted sideman with many different leaders’ bands, but, with a style that critics called: “eloquent, lyrical and impeccable.” He made many noted recordings as a solo artist and leading his own small groups, recording for a variety of labels during these years.
This 42-track collection comprises selected recordings from these years of Hank Jones solo performances, plus recordings leading his own trios, quartets and quintets on the Clef, Savoy, Epic and Capitol labels. He played with many of the top names of the day, and this collection features performances with Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Ray Brown, Wendell Marshall, Kenny Clarke, Donald Byrd, Herbie Mann, Barry Galbraith, Milt Hinton, Paul Chambers, Kenny Burrell, Elvin Jones and others.
It includes titles from his albums Hank Jones Piano, Urbanity, The Jazz Trio Of Hank Jones, Hank Jones Quartet & Quintet, Blue Bird, The Rhythm Section, Have You Met Hank Jones, Relaxin’ At Camarillo, Swing Songs From Gigi, The Talented Touch and Porgy & Bess: Swinging Impressions.
It’s a varied and fascinating insight into his approach to music in different environments playing standards and originals, and an entertaining showcase for an often overlooked jazz luminary.
