Biography
Henry 'Hank' Jones Jr., born on July 31, 1918, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and raised in Pontiac, Michigan, began playing piano as a teenager, drawing early inspiration from Art Tatum after moving through cities like Cleveland and Buffalo. He relocated to New York City in 1944, joining Oran 'Hot Lips' Page's band, and quickly immersed himself in bebop, recording with Charlie Parker and working with bandleaders such as John Kirby, Coleman Hawkins, Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine, and Howard McGhee. From 1947 to 1951, he toured with Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic, then served as Ella Fitzgerald's accompanist from 1948 to 1953, honing a sophisticated harmonic style blending classical, gospel, and jazz elements.[1][2][3][6]
Fun Facts
- The Great Jazz Trio's name was coined by East Wind Records A&R in 1976, not by Jones himself, despite its prominent members including Miles Davis Quintet alumni Ron Carter and Tony Williams.[1][5]
- Jones was the oldest of three musical brothers, including cornetist Thad and drummer Elvin, and their first recorded collaboration since 1963 was Flowers for Lady Day in the late 1990s.[2]
- He became Savoy Records' house pianist in the late 1940s, recording a acclaimed trio album in 1955 with Wendell Marshall and Kenny Clarke.[1]
- Jones worked as a studio musician for CBS from the 1950s to 1974, which paused his jazz prominence until his prolific comeback with the Great Jazz Trio.[2][8]
Members
- Kurt Bong - drums (drum set)
- Isla Eckinger - double bass
- Hank Jones - original, piano
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Art Tatum - pivotal stylistic inspiration observed in Buffalo (influenced early playing style) [early 1940s]
Key Collaborators
- Ella Fitzgerald - accompanist and touring pianist (tours and recordings) [1948-1953]
- Charlie Parker - recording sessions ('The Song Is You' on Now's the Time album) [1952]
- Ron Carter - Great Jazz Trio co-founder and bassist (multiple albums including Village Vanguard live recordings) [1976-1980s]
- Tony Williams - Great Jazz Trio original drummer (seven trio recordings including 1977 Village Vanguard sessions) [1976-1980s]
- Eddie Gómez - Great Jazz Trio bassist (1980 albums with Al Foster) [1980-1988]
- Jimmy Cobb - Great Jazz Trio drummer (trio recordings post-1982) [1982-1988]
- Elvin Jones - brother; drummer in Great Jazz Trio iteration (Collaboration, Flowers for Lady Day) [late 1990s-2004]
Artists Influenced
- Thad Jones - brother; first regular pianist in Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra) [1966 onward]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Trio | 2011-04-30 | Album |
| Hank Jones Trio | 2001-09-20 | Album |
| !!! | 2023-03-24 | Album |
| Hank Jones: Solo & With His Own Bands 1947-59 | 2023-11-03 | Album |
| Satin Doll | 1976-01-24 | Album |
| Once in the Evening | 1979-12-09 | Album |
| Live In Japan | 1979-05-02 | Album |
| Bluebird | 2017-03-24 | Album |
| As Time Goes By | 2014-07-01 | Album |
| The Trio | 2011-05-01 | Album |
| The Trio | 1977-11-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- How High The Moon (The Trio)
- Relaxin' at Camarillo (Hank Jones Trio)
- Lullaby of the Leaves (The Trio)
- Queen of Hearts (The Trio)
- Little Girl Blue (The Trio)
- Hank's Pranks (The Trio)
- Alpha (The Trio)
- Wine And Brandy (The Trio)
- 'Swonderful (The Trio)
- Right Here, Right Now (The Trio)
External Links
Tags: #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Hank Jones Trio has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 14, 2025 | 07:48 | Little Girl Bluefrom Solo And With His Own Bands 1947-59 | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman |