Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Great Jazz Trio: Someday My Prince Will Come

The Great Jazz Trio: Someday My Prince Will Come

By Jim Santella
August 3, 2004
View read count

The Great Jazz Trio: Someday My Prince Will Come

Founded in 1976 by Hank Jones, the Great Jazz Trio produced several recordings and changed bassists and drummers frequently. This album marks the final studio recording for brothers Hank and Elvin Jones together. Elvin, who is heard here in his prime, soloing frequently and coloring everything admirably, passed away in May at age 76.

The trio interprets these chestnuts with authority. As Richard Davis reiterates "Moose the Mooche" with bowed bass, he applies his personal zeal to the formula. Both bass and drums solo frequently, giving this trio session its equilateral charm.

When Hank Jones expounds upon "Satin Doll" or "Someday My Prince Will Come," it's not like anything you've heard before. His creativity continues to produce vibrant improvisations unlike the standard treatment. The pianist renews himself every time out. His lush harmony and delicate touch give the audience just enough. Spontaneous left hand chord adjustments provide unexpected surprises on "Satin Doll" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." The latter is performed a cappella.

The Great Jazz Trio has given us the best of three worlds. Elvin Jones provides remarkable drum set action with a variety of textures. Richard Davis adds bowed and pizzicato thrills that respect these time-honored melodies. And Hank Jones continues to preach the gospel of bebop candidly, with an unforgettable charm.

Track Listing

Caravan; Softly As In a Morning Sunrise; Moose the Mooche; A Child is Born; Satin Doll; Someday My Prince Will Come; The Shadow Of Your Smile; Long Ago and Far Away; You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To; Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.

Personnel

The Great Jazz Trio

Hank Jones- piano; Richard Davis- bass; Elvin Jones- drums.

Album information

Title: Someday My Prince Will Come | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Eighty-Eights

PREVIOUS / NEXT

The Blueprint Project
< Previous

Centerpiece
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.