Hank Johnson Trio Packs 'em in at Lenox Lounge on cold rainey night!

They came for miles, tourists,from Germany,France,and jazz lovers from just about everywhere to hear master jazz pianist Hank Johnson do his stuff--play the piano. There were times that the trio sounded like Count Basie (a whole orchestra), and times when it sounded like a trio, filling the room with a happy, sounds of the Art Tatum era! The trio played an extra set because it was really jammed with people comming out to check out Hank Johnson at the grand piano doing his thing-jazz. Bassist “Cool Mike" Fitzbenjamin was grooving and taking no prisoners during his wonderful bass solos which were interwoven with Hank's lines. Drummer, Gary Smith was clearly in command providing flawless backing and cohesivness to a “REAL" jazz trio playing some “REAL" jazz. You could definitly hear traces of Oscar Peterson's and Art Tatum's influences in Hank's playing. I thought, I was heaven, listening to this wonderful great jazz pianist in Harlem. I forgot about the rainy icy cold streets outside the club and was imersed in jazz. Catch Hank Johnson tonight: January 4th, 2003 on Saturday night atthe Lenox Lounge at 288 Lenox Avenue in Harlem NYC. The club is located on Lenox Avenue (Malcolm X Boulevard) between 124th and 125th Streets.

S. Van Allen, Public Relations