Pianist Hank Jones, born July 31, 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is a member of the famous jazz family that includes cornetist and esteemed composer Thad Jones and drummer Elvin Jones. Hank, the eldest and sole surviving brother, has served as a pianist in a vast array of settings, always lending a distinctive, swinging sensibility to the sessions. Although born in Mississippi, Jones grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, listening to such performers as Earl Hines, Fats Waller, and Art Tatum. A performer by the time he was thirteen, Jones played with territory bands that toured Michigan and Ohio. In one such band he met saxophonist Lucky Thompson, who got him a job in the Hot Lips Page band in 1944, prompting Jones' move to New York.
Once in New York, Jones became exposed to bebop, embracing the style in his playing and even recording with Charlie Parker. Meanwhile, he took jobs with such bandleaders as John Kirby, Coleman Hawkins, Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine, and Howard McGhee. He toured with Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic from 1947-51. As a result, he became Ella Fitzgerald's pianist, touring with her from 1948-53. These experiences served to broaden his musical palette and sophistication.
A consummate freelancer, Jones found work with artists such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Milt Jackson, and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. The versatility Jones acquired through such affiliations served him well when he joined the staff of CBS as a studio musician, remaining for seventeen years. Although his studio work found him working on productions like the Ed Sullivan Show, Jones continued his touring and recording experiences in a variety of settings. His broad range and ability to fit in different settings also landed him in Broadway stage bands, where he served as pianist and conductor for such shows as Ain't Misbehavin'.
Jones was the first regular pianist in brother Thad's co-led orchestra with Mel Lewis, beginning in 1966. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Jones continued to be much in demand for record dates and tours. Among his affiliations was the Great Jazz
Trio, a cooperative unit with Ron Carter and Tony Williams, who were later supplanted by Buster Williams and Ben Riley. Jones has also experienced his share of piano duos, with the likes of Tommy Flanagan -- with whom he became acquainted when both were developing around the Detroit area -- George Shearing, John Lewis and most recently, Oliver Jones, recorded on June 25th and 26th, 2008, during the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, whose edition this year programmed Hank on its Invitation Series, which sees the indomitable pianist in duo settings with fellow pianists Oliver Jones and Brad Mehldau, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and bassist Charlie Haden. As both leader and valued sideman, living legend Hank Jones can be found on thousands of recordings.
Selected Discography
The Jazz Trio of Hank Jones, Savoy, 1955
Lazy Afternoon, Concord Jazz, 1989
Upon Reflection (The Music of Thad Jones)Verve, 1993
Steal Away, Charlie Haden/Hank Jones, Verve, 1994
For My Father, Justin Time, 2004
