Hank Jones Trio

BFrank · May-11th-2003, 04:45 PM

Saw them last night as part of the SF Jazz Fest. Hank was in great shape and great spirits. The Trio, including George Mraz and Dennis MacKrel, were solid and obviously enjoying themselves. Happily, the evening ended with a standing "O" from the sold-out crowd.

The 2+ hour show (including intermission) included such mainstays as "Blues-ette", "A Child Is Born", 'Rhythm-A-Ning", "Interface" (not "In Yer Face" as Hank joked), "Walkin'", "Polka-dots & Moonbeams", "Speak Low", and many others.

Mraz was solid (if unspectacular) and MacKrel (who I'm not familiar with) was inventive and entertaining in several understated ways. He's a very interesting and subtle drummer with similar traits of Billy Higgins yet much of his own personality showed through.

Great to see the 84 year-old Hank doing so well, and I hope he has many more years to go. No reason to doubt that, either, as after the lengthy performance he still had plenty of energy to come out into the lobby and sign CDs for a long line of happy fans.

Valerie · May-11th-2003, 06:26 PM

I am so very happy to read the above post since Hank has had lots of medical problems recently that caused him to cancel many gigs for awhile. This is such good news!! Thanks, BFrank, and I'm glad you had such a special opportunity and experience. Curious as to whether you had ever seen Hank in person before.

BFrank · May-11th-2003, 07:53 PM

Valerie - This is the first time I've seen him. I would go again, although I wouldn't expect that he would make many more trips out West at this point.

Mike Schwartz · May-11th-2003, 09:25 PM

Hank was out here last summer at Stanford, and Dennis was on drums then too as he has been for several years, is a fantastic player in many settings.
Great taste, uncanny timing, and all kinds of technique.

It happily sounds like Hank had some sort of temporary sick spell. Last summer, he just bounced out onto the stage,looking, acting, and palying like a man 25-30 years younger than his age!

Dare say he's a singular talent in the world today,playing with his level of excellence and in the patented style he owns.\

Valerie;
Have you had the pleasure of seeing the Jones Brothers together on the same stage while Thad was alive?

Valerie · May-11th-2003, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike Schwartz
Valerie; Have you had the pleasure of seeing the Jones Brothers together on the same stage while Thad was alive?

Hi Big Bro': Don't think I ever saw the "Jones Boys" together but am happy to say that I've seen all three many times individually. I was somewhat of a "regular" for the Monday nights at the Vanguard in the '60s! Those nights were mighty sweet!!

Mike Schwartz · May-12th-2003, 01:43 PM

I saw the brothers together twice, once front & center at Carnegie, where the Thad/Mel Orch. perfrormed and any number of small groups came out in front of & from among them, the highlight was the "Brothers"!

Have also seen them all independently several times too.
Didn't get to the Monday nite VV until '69-70. That was a band_and_ a_ half!!

There are also a couple of recordings with the 3 brothers that EJ told me about.One called the 'Detroiters' or 'Detroit Scene' [something like that]
We have it at the station and if memory serves it has Barry Harris, Pepper Adams and the "Brothers" all after they had arrived in NYC

BFrank · May-12th-2003, 06:26 PM

All three on on this album.

James Lee · May-19th-2003, 11:51 PM

I caught this trio in La Jolla a couple of weeks ago. Hank was looking (and moving) great physically, and his demeanor was sharp and warm. He sounded wonderful, and his trio dazzled the crowd to an ovation here as well.

It looks like I came away with a higher opinion of Mraz's playing than BFrank. IMO he was spectacular from any angle of judgement. His articulation at blinding speeds was really amazing, his ideas were a joy to follow, and well ----- we all know about that fat sound of his. Perhaps he was more "on" on this particular night.

I've been spending a good deal on jazz lately and have regretted none of it ------ certainly not this performance!

Pete C · May-20th-2003, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BFrank
Mraz was solid (if unspectacular)

I'm not sure exactly what that means. At any rate, I think he has one of the most beautiful tones among bass players.

Apparently, Mraz was one of the bass players Bill Evans was considering when Gomez left, before he found Marc Johnson.