Jazz Articles about Hank Jones

Hank Jones: Hanky Panky

by John Kelman
November 6, 2005

Octogenarian pianist Hank Jones' musical career has been consistently active since he first emerged in the late 1930s. However, Jones had an especially fruitful period as a leader during the 1970s, releasing no fewer than 25 albums between 1975 and 1980. Unfortunately, many of these recordings were originally released on Japanese labels like East Wind and Inner City, until now only available as expensive imports.

But 441 Records' Harvey Rosen created the subsidiary Test of Time Records to reissue many ...

Hank Jones: For My Father

by John Kelman
June 9, 2005

Some musicians are pure paradox, their personalities in no way reflecting the way they play. Others find their personal characteristics inextricably intertwined with their musical ones--trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, guitarist Bill Frisell, and saxophone legend Wayne Shorter immediately come to mind.

Octogenarian pianist Hank Jones--the eldest and last surviving member of the Jones triumvirate that included trumpeter Thad, who passed away in '86, and drummer Elvin, who left us in '04--has always demonstrated a musical elegance that is completely in keeping ...

Hank Jones: Havin' Fun

by Jason West
February 15, 2005

Hank Jones last performed at Jazz Alley in the summer of 2002, appearing each night of his week-long residency buttoned up in a black tuxedo. On that Saturday evening, July 20, the venerable 84-year-old was warmly welcomed by his first-set audience as he took the stage and settled himself at the piano bench, looking less like a jazz musician than a classical maestro about to begin a recital of masterworks. Which, of course, he did.

But instead of Mozart, Brahms ...

Hank Jones: The Talented Touch and Porgy and Bess

by Franz A. Matzner
July 10, 2004

The Talented Touch and Porgy and Bess reissues on one compact disc two albums originally recorded by pianist Hank Jones with two different groups in 1958. The album thus documents Jones' uniquely honed rhythmic sensibilities and insightful interpretive skill as he interacts with a range of musicians, including bassist Milt Jackson, guitarists Kenny Burrell and Barry Galbraith, as well as drummers Osie Johnson and Jones' brother, the legendary and recently departed Elvin Jones . While the first ...

Hank Jones/Milt Hinton/Bobby Rosengarden: The Trio

by Jeff Stockton
January 22, 2004

In an article published in the Village Voice a couple of years ago Gary Giddins traced a history of recorded jazz in song, year by year, and Hank Jones’ solo “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” was pegged as the noteworthy performance of 1977. As his rhythm section lays out, Jones tinkles his piano as if prompting a dream sequence, then leaves the song behind as he performs one harmonic digression after another before returning to the tune with an almost-barrelhouse ...

A Fireside Chat with Hank Jones

by AAJ Staff
October 27, 2003

An icon of the music, but one so humble, his accolades and achievements are never heard above a whisper. His impact, however, is elephantine and certain to linger long after I am six feet under. Take Master Class (a reissue of Bebop Redux and Groovin’ High ), a testament to the pianist’s sensitive lyricism and gentle swing, Jones is a personal fav. I am pleased to present the Brother to Thad and Elvin, mentor to numerous, and favorite of mine, ...

Hank Jones

by AAJ Staff
October 27, 2003

One of the first records I ever owned was Cannonball Adderley's Somethin' Else with Miles Davis, Sam Jones, Art Blakey, and the veritable Hank Jones. The fact that Jones was on that session didn't register with me completely - he was on so many records I just became used to seeing his name, not realizing at the time how this amazing musician contributed to recordings that have spanned jazz genres for seven decades alongside most of jazz' legends. A player ...