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Hank Jones

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Hank Jones, in full Henry Jones Jr., was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, born on 31 July 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi and died on 16 May 2010. He grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, in a musical and religious family of ten children. His father thought that playing jazz was the work of the devil. Even so, Jones was influenced by pianists such as Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Art Tatum and Teddy Wilson. At thirteen he was already playing in Michigan and Ohio.

Music and breakthrough

In 1944 the saxophonist Lucky Thompson brought him to New York, where he got to know bebop and worked with Coleman Hawkins and Billy Eckstine, among others. In 1947 he went on tour with Jazz at the Philharmonic, and from 1948 to 1953 he was Ella Fitzgerald's accompanist. He also played with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Lester Young and Wes Montgomery, and on Cannonball Adderley's Somethin' Else with Miles Davis. From 1959 to 1975 he was a staff pianist at CBS. On 19 May 1962 he accompanied Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday, Mr. President.

Influence

Jones recorded more than sixty albums under his own name and played on some thousand recordings. Critics call his playing eloquent, lyrical and impeccable. In 1989 he received the NEA Jazz Masters Award. He shows how a pianist with taste and gentleness can support a singer or soloist.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Somethin' Else by Cannonball Adderley and notice the piano, which softly and precisely fills the space beneath the horns. Hear how Jones never does more than necessary.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: Artists