RIP: Hank Jones

I'm really bummed about this today. I was hoping to see him at the end of the month at Birdland, but he had been taken off the billing due to illness. In addition to Something Else, I'm also a big fan of his solo records (especially Tiptoe Tapdance) and duo work with Charlie Haden and recommend them highly.

He was one of the few giants left who recorded with Charlie Parker as well; are there any others still around? (ed: except for Sonny Rollins, of course)
 
originally posted by John Ritchie:

He was one of the few giants left who recorded with Charlie Parker as well; are there any others still around? (ed: except for Sonny Rollins, of course)
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Did Horace Silver or Lee Konitz ever record with Bird?
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
Did Horace Silver or Lee Konitz ever record with Bird?
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I don't think there are official recordings, but I think it would be reasonable to assume they did play together at some point. A quick glance at a discography has me kicking myself for forgetting Roy Haynes.
 
That Annie Ross recording, if it's the once I'm familiar with, is one of the stranger ones in Bird's catalog. She's not featured, but rather is part of a chorus singing the lyrics to standards in a straight-ahead and kind of hokey way. It reminds me of what you would expect from film soundtracks from around that time. Bird, of course plays like he always does, regardless of the odd happenings behind him.

The Phil Woods and Chan Parker thing has always seemed really unsettling to me. I wonder if it says more about Phil or her.
 
I had the good fortune to get to know Hank in the 80s when he was playing regularly at the Carlisle. A friend played the shifts before him and sometimes they played together. A truly wonderful individual. His stories would have me alternating between tears of laughter and joy.
 

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forums.allaboutjazz.com

from '07, but a good link all the same.

Paul Bley. I think Shaughnessy is still with us. Charlie Mariono died last summer.

Toots Thielemans is still kickin'.
 
I saw Hank Jones for the only time last Labor Day weekend at the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Played an excellent set. At the time I didn't think he really looked as old as he was (95ish?). He will be missed.
 
Paul Bley and Bird--wow. I realize he was a pretty different player back then, though, but it's still a bit of a jarring combination.

I haven't watched any Treme yet (no HBO), but the guys on that blog really do make it look fascinating.
 
"He began playing jazz even though his father, a Baptist deacon, disapproved."

Doesn't look like dad had much sway over at least 3 of the kids, eh?

I also like the quote at the end of the article about giving each note equal emphasis.
 
originally posted by Claude Kolm:
Another one who played with Parker (apparently only briefly), Cedar Walton, is dead: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/21/arts/music/cedar-walton-pianist-and-composer-dies-at-79.html?hpw

I can only think of one time I saw him play -- back in February 1966 (or possibly Feb 1965?) when he was playing with Dizzy Gillespie (James Moody was there, too) at Royce Hall, UCLA. MJQ was the other half of the bill.

Some great compositions from Cedar and always more than just a solid sideman.
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Hear him play more than once at Concerts By The Sea in Redondo Beach back in the 80s. Also at Monterrey Jazz Festival. Really fine jazz pianist.
 
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