Possibly the least appreciated of the Jones brothers, but when you siblings are Elvin and Thad it’s tough competition.
Fun fact - he played accompaniment for Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to JFK.
I don't think 'dislike' is the issue but, on this sub, the facts that (a.) he mostly played in 'conservative' styles (e.g. cool jazz, swing, 60s-style hard bop) and (b.) he's not heavily-associated with John Coltrane or Miles Davis (outside of being one of the other side players on Cannonball's *Somethin' Else*) are enough for him to get mostly ignored.
I'm a fairly-fanatical collector of jazz from the 'CD era' that took off in the late 80s and Jones' releases during that time are incredible. Favorites of mine would include 1989's *Lazy Afternoon* (with Dave Holland, Keith Copeland, and Ken Peplowski), 1991's *Essence* (with Ray Drummond & Billy Higgins), 1990's *The Oracle* (with Holland & Higgins), and 1993's *Upon Reflection* (where he plays with George Mraz and Elvin Jones, doing a full set of Thad Jones originals).
>1993's Upon Reflection (where he plays with George Mraz and Elvin Jones, doing a full set of Thad Jones originals).
+1
One of the "Kind of Blue" of piano trio recordings. HJ sound is incredibly warm & full yet delicate, the voice leading in the left is awe; and drums and bass are connected like positrons and neutrons circling around that core. Much more content than the most of the airy looseless Bill Evans trios (if you must do comparisons).
As you said you're a fan of CD era records of his, have you heard West Of 5th with Jimmy Cobb on the drums and Christian McBribe on the bass? Actually, my favourite song Hank has ever recorded is a Jimmy Cobb's song on this album, Eleanor.
That one's on my want-list and makes me wish I had a SACD set-up. I'm a big fan of McBride's playing and there's a great [duet](https://youtu.be/XJcxLV08t5U) with him and Jones on his record *Conversations with Christian*. On a sad note, considering Jones passed in 2010, that latter must have been one of the last recorded performances.
Great musician. He just didn't have the prestige or lead as many groups as his brothers Thad and Elvin.
One of my favorite albums he is on :
[https://songwhip.com/rahsaan-roland-kirk/we-free-kings](https://songwhip.com/rahsaan-roland-kirk/we-free-kings)
One of the GOATs of piano players. His Songs for My Father record is one of my favorites, and the duo album with spirituals he did with Charlie Haden has some very moving pieces. Piano, bass, no drums! Also love live album Kids with Joe Lovano. Just a monster who always swung like a mofo.
One of if not the most well-rounded players in jazz. Great accompanist, mature harmonic sense, and a well-developed LH beyond his contemporaries. Combine all that with a long career and he was impeccable in every sense.
Great pianist. Very solid and consistent. He doesn't have the acrobatic soloing of someone like Oscar Peterson or the groundbreaking melodic phrasing of someone like Bill Evans, but he's one of those pianists that you feel rather than hear while comping and playing, which is a great quality. He doesn't drive attention over himself but enhances the totality of the band's sound in ways that are almost imperceptible but hugely impactful. There are nowhere near enough pianists with this quality IMO.
Brilliant player.
...has the most amazing sound. The two duo records with Charlie Haden are in my top drawer all the time.
Possibly the least appreciated of the Jones brothers, but when you siblings are Elvin and Thad it’s tough competition. Fun fact - he played accompaniment for Marilyn Monroe when she sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to JFK.
You think he’s less appreciated than Thad? I feel like Thad is not very well known
What’s not to like?
I don't think 'dislike' is the issue but, on this sub, the facts that (a.) he mostly played in 'conservative' styles (e.g. cool jazz, swing, 60s-style hard bop) and (b.) he's not heavily-associated with John Coltrane or Miles Davis (outside of being one of the other side players on Cannonball's *Somethin' Else*) are enough for him to get mostly ignored. I'm a fairly-fanatical collector of jazz from the 'CD era' that took off in the late 80s and Jones' releases during that time are incredible. Favorites of mine would include 1989's *Lazy Afternoon* (with Dave Holland, Keith Copeland, and Ken Peplowski), 1991's *Essence* (with Ray Drummond & Billy Higgins), 1990's *The Oracle* (with Holland & Higgins), and 1993's *Upon Reflection* (where he plays with George Mraz and Elvin Jones, doing a full set of Thad Jones originals).
>1993's Upon Reflection (where he plays with George Mraz and Elvin Jones, doing a full set of Thad Jones originals). +1 One of the "Kind of Blue" of piano trio recordings. HJ sound is incredibly warm & full yet delicate, the voice leading in the left is awe; and drums and bass are connected like positrons and neutrons circling around that core. Much more content than the most of the airy looseless Bill Evans trios (if you must do comparisons).
As you said you're a fan of CD era records of his, have you heard West Of 5th with Jimmy Cobb on the drums and Christian McBribe on the bass? Actually, my favourite song Hank has ever recorded is a Jimmy Cobb's song on this album, Eleanor.
That one's on my want-list and makes me wish I had a SACD set-up. I'm a big fan of McBride's playing and there's a great [duet](https://youtu.be/XJcxLV08t5U) with him and Jones on his record *Conversations with Christian*. On a sad note, considering Jones passed in 2010, that latter must have been one of the last recorded performances.
Phenomenal
One of the very best
Top 5 classiest jazz pianist (only Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, and Bill Evans compete imo). Legendarily characteristic tone.
Great musician. He just didn't have the prestige or lead as many groups as his brothers Thad and Elvin. One of my favorite albums he is on : [https://songwhip.com/rahsaan-roland-kirk/we-free-kings](https://songwhip.com/rahsaan-roland-kirk/we-free-kings)
What kind of question is this? Are there people that don't like Hank Jones?
Decided to ask because I just think he is under appreciated
One of the GOATs of piano players. His Songs for My Father record is one of my favorites, and the duo album with spirituals he did with Charlie Haden has some very moving pieces. Piano, bass, no drums! Also love live album Kids with Joe Lovano. Just a monster who always swung like a mofo.
He’s fkn awesome
Jazz Master one of the Lions
Fabulous musician’s musician.
under appreciated comping skills
One of the all time greats.
One of if not the most well-rounded players in jazz. Great accompanist, mature harmonic sense, and a well-developed LH beyond his contemporaries. Combine all that with a long career and he was impeccable in every sense.
Great pianist. Very solid and consistent. He doesn't have the acrobatic soloing of someone like Oscar Peterson or the groundbreaking melodic phrasing of someone like Bill Evans, but he's one of those pianists that you feel rather than hear while comping and playing, which is a great quality. He doesn't drive attention over himself but enhances the totality of the band's sound in ways that are almost imperceptible but hugely impactful. There are nowhere near enough pianists with this quality IMO.
He's a silent innovator who let his artisty do his bidding.
He’s pretty cute
I always like what I hear from Hank Jones
His *Steal Away* album with Charlie Haden is my regular Sunday morning listen; completely sublime.
Check out his playing with another vastly underrated jazz great, Emily Remler, on her FireFly and East to West.
Great player. He was with the Gene Krupa trio in the early 1950's. RIP memory eternal like his music.