Hank Jones

BlueMiles · October-2nd-2004, 09:47 PM

I'm really finding myself impressed by the great Hank Jones. I think he is is something of a an underrated great. As some of you know, he was born in 1918. Around the age of 40 he was making great contributions to records by Cannonball/Miles, Trane, and Coleman Hawkins. Four-and-a-half decades later, the man is still active and sounding great. He is is probably the best thing about the ballads album by Lovano (I'm All For You). He was wondeful on the duet album with Haden--spirituals and folks songs (Steal Away). And I've just been listening to a great trio record from 1989--"The Oracle." He is in the splendid company of Dave Holland and Billy Higgins. To me, this sounds like the most democratic piano trio ever. One might view it as of Holland's greatest records--he supplies 3 tunes and his playing is magnificent. The late great Billy Higgins is all over the album, sounding great. And Mr. Hank Jones is great too.

Don't miss this guy!

John L · October-3rd-2004, 02:47 AM

Hank Jones is s living legend to be sure. I agree with your assessment of "The Oracle."

Quite a lot of Hank Jones reissues have hit the market in the last few years, and I have eaten them all up. Most recently, Okra-Tone reissued The Talented Touch and Porgy and Bess on a single disc. Both are excellent. I had never heard his version of Porgy before, quite a nice piece arranged by Al Cohn with Milt Hinton, Kenny Burrell, and Elvin Jones.

Richardo Caerleoni · October-3rd-2004, 05:50 AM

This is a great album from (I think) c. 1977...mostly Bird and Monk tunes but well worth listening to...

I also remember the Savoy sessions from the mid 50s with Milt Jackdon and Lucky Thompson being particularly good.

Pete C · October-3rd-2004, 07:16 AM

"The Oracle" is great, and shows a different side of Hank. A delightful departure from his basic pure jazz repertoire was his collaboration with Malian musicians, Sarala.

.

The '70s Great Jazz Trio recordings, with Tony Williams and Ron Carter or Buster Williams, were stellar.

Richardo Caerleoni · October-3rd-2004, 11:22 AM

"Right from the start, Joe Lovano’s latest release, I’m All For You, reminds us of the legendary Blue Note albums from the late 1950s and early 60s. The cover photo of the saxophonist, while not exactly retro, conveys the same aesthetic as many of the color photographs found on classic Blue Note recordings. The combo is made up of stellar players, a post-bop summit, really; Lovano is joined by supreme bassist George Mraz and two veterans whose work is always perfection, pianist Hank Jones and drummer Paul Motian. The appearance and personnel of the CD immediately make the listener expect a solid and unpretentious performance that will stand the test of many listenings. The great news is that Lovano, Jones, Mraz, and Motian deliver on that promise with an album of ballads that will satisfy any jazz fan who hungers for that classic period in recorded jazz history.

I don’t wish to give the impression that this is a throwback album, a conscious effort to mimic something that came and went many years ago. This CD matches the classic recordings that it aspires to in both performance and mood. In addition, Jones and Motian were out there performing during the first classic Blue Note period. Jones recorded some amazing sides for Verve as a leader, and played on a number of classic albums such as Cannonball Adderley’s Somethin’ Else. Motian, of course, was part of the first Bill Evans Trio. These musicians bring their years of experience to this recording, but in the end it just sounds like some musicians who both admire and respect each other getting together and having some fun playing a set of standard ballads. And that’s exactly what it is and precisely why this recording conjures up the classic Blue Note experience without coming across as phony or contrived in any way.

They played as a Quartet in London...and did a tribute to Hank's brother Elvin...A wonderful set...and very moving.

Hank Jones is a master...overused phrase... but no "flash"...just prefection.

RC.

Bluebrew · October-3rd-2004, 12:36 PM

I saw Hank Jones some years ago at the Madrid Jazz Fest in duo with Ellis Marsalis. As my kids say "AWSOME".

J Lee · October-3rd-2004, 03:34 PM

If you're a Fats Waller freak like me, you'll go nuts for his "Ain't Misbehavin'" album -- I'm sure he put in a lot of practice time to come up with his amazing take on stride piano for that one. Sounds great.

His stuff with Wes is also killer, of course...

What a great touch on the keyboard.

BlueMiles · October-4th-2004, 01:41 PM

I would love to hear Hank Jones with Ron Carter and Tony Williams.

Dr Dave · October-4th-2004, 07:55 PM

We should all get up every morning and be thankful that Hank Jones is still with us.

Pete C · October-4th-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMiles

I would love to hear Hank Jones with Ron Carter and Tony Williams.

They're all pretty expensive Japanese imports. Also, you have to be careful because Hank used that name with a variety of rhythm sections (all stellar).

mikeos · October-5th-2004, 08:36 AM

At the Northsea jazz festival in The Hague in 1977 I was honoured to have dinner with Hank Jones, who was staying with all the other musicians at my hotel. I spent a very enjoyable hour or so with Hank, also Eddie Barefield and Doc Cheatham. They were all very kind and generous to this fan.