Master Class with Hank Jones: The Performance

In this clip from www.artistshousemusic.org - On Sunday, December 12, 2004, Hank Jones gave a master class produced by John Snyder of Artists House Foundation and David Schroeder of the NYU jazz department. This was one performance filled with vitality. Hank now in his eighties, still touring (recently returning from Japan) arrived bursting with energy and after a long day, was still going strong as he chatted with the jazz students which he had performed and instructed that day. Hank Jones, brother of Elvin Jones (the drummer) and Thad (the cornetist), was born 1918 in Mississippi and raised in Michigan. He was influenced by performers Fat Waller, Earl Hines and Art Tatum and is known for his distinctive swinging style. Hank's first gig was with Hot Lips Page band in 1944, a job Lucky Thompson (the saxophonist) got him. Hank worked as a freelancer with artists such as Artie Shaw, Milt Jackson, Benny Goodman and Julian Cannonball Adderley. Later Hank joined CBS working as a studio musician for 17 years, working on such programs as The Ed Sullivan Show. Jones also was a member of his brother's co-led orchestra with Mel Lewis beginning in 1966. Because of Jones' unique and versatile style, he can be found on many recordings. He has also played piano duos with such greats as Tommy Flanagan, George Shearing and John Lewis.

[@AlecKatz]

1:17 - The Very Thought Of You 6:30 - Alone Together 11:12 - Oh, Look at Me Now! 15:50 - Oh, What A Beautiful Morning 21:03 - Six on Four 26:09 - Recorda Me 29:22 - Don't Blame Me 34:35 - Polka Dots and Moonbeams 40:42 - Bluesette 44:42 - Monk's Mood 48:35 - Ain't Misbehavin'

[@ciccilloesposito1579]

Hank Jones, jazz lovers miss you so much. You are gone, but your sublime music will always be alive in our hearts.

[@PabluchoViision]

So beautifully put, Ciccillo.

[@BobMazzo]

I mean, wow. What heart. What style and technique. What a light hearted, gentlemen too. It truly moves me - he's inspirational.

[@martinlehfeldt5231]

he was also a very nice friendly person. very warm hearted and easy to talk to. guys like him really put that shine on jazz. RIP

[@DEXTERGORDONful]

Hank is one the most underrated piano players that ever lived. He should be named in one breath together with Bud Powell, Earl Hines, Art Tatum, Tommy Flanagan. What a super class and above all what a touch listen to first notes of "the very thought of you" starting this master class. Brilliant! It doesn't get anybetter then this!

[@KosmasLapatas]

DEXTER GORDON his piano touch is the equivalent of Neuhaus in classical. Noone had this voluptuous tone, not even evans. A true piano poet.

[@robinsarchiz]

@@KosmasLapatas Hiromi Uehara has a very unique sense of dynamic, imo the best.

[@KosmasLapatas]

@@robinsarchiz i love her too for her piano tone and virtuosity

[@josephhardaway3]

wow !! He's 86 years old in this video. His chord progressions and sense of melodic structure are so sophisticated and beautiful. He could give any jazz person a run for their money today !! I'm soooo impressed !! I love the reharmonizing he adds. He really makes the songs he plays his own. Bravo !!

[@tinderf]

art tatum est dans son jeu et revit...

[@ccbcco]

My grandfather Cab Calloway considered Hank Jones to be his favorite pianist starting in the 1970's.

[@benbarritt9761]

One of the very best there ever was. His touch is extraordinary.truly superb.RIP.

[@PabluchoViision]

The best touch... light, precise, sonorous, feathery: Teddy Wilson, Hank Jones, Nat Cole, Bill Evans.

[@hankmilligan2256]

So casual, and yet so sophisticated, just incredible.

[@shoocat100]

What a gentleman and consummate artist...the world is less with his passing.

[@danjameson1572]

there is no substitute for class.

[@francois-sergegulli2126]

Tank you Mr Jones.

[@ghairraigh]

I spoke with bassist Kelly Sill after a set he played with Hank Jones at George's Restaurant in Chicago in the early '80's, and complimented him on his playing and how he had maintained his focus on Hank's left hand. Kelly and a local drummer had been hired to serve as Hank's trio for a one-week engagement at the club. Kelly said "That was the hardest thing I've ever done. When Hank played a 5-6 chorus solo, he completely reharmonized the tune each time through!"

[@BREN248]

Kelly! Such a great teacher and phenomenal bass player!

[@mrjimmienoone2130]

Not only a great pianist. But also a very nice, sympathetic gentleman.

[@johnb2476]

Love his phrasing and melodic interpretation. He stands as one of the greats of his era.

[@jimjennings7623]

What a cool Dude! I think he should have been more famous but he was very modest about his genius. Notice his hands are HUGE. Obviously, he practiced a lot. He loved it but he was also willing to WORK for it. Jazz ain't easy! I have to say also, this is one incredibly elegant gentleman, worthy of a very high status among American heroes. Jazz is American and this is one of the guys who made it so great! If there isn't a statue of him somewhere, there sure should be.

[@ZeAlfredo]

All facts brother, no fiction

[@Jzh733]

His duet recording with Roberta Gambarini is the pinnacle of piano & singer duo of all time! The subtle time feel of him is unparalleled!

[@eliciajones4955]

A Great legend

[@jorrendykstra4194]

Ooft 36:30 - 36:33 that's a lick. This is magic, thanks for uploading!

[@PabloVestory]

Thank you so much!

[@PabluchoViision]

He's having such fun, it's irresistible! (Not to mention that he is a Mt Olympus level musician.)

[@dbsheffield]

He was brother of my Mother's house keeper Mrs Murray in Pontiac MI. , she spoke of him and all her brothers often and fondly !!!

[@n.ciebevilaqua3603]

That's so strange--he was (I believe) the brother-in-law of two wonderful women who looked after me when I lived with my mother in NYC in the mid-to-late 1960's. He would come to visit us at our apartment, and I remember dancing for him in my little ballerina outfit (I was about six then) in our living room as he smiled and clapped rhythm for me (I'm sure I was terrible!). My late father's piano was there, but I don't remember Hank ever playing it--maybe he did, though. I know that my mother told me that he was a well-known musician, but he was basically a nice man named Hank to me. I wish I'd known that I was attempting to dance for musical royalty then!

[@RonCarterBassist]

Great stuff 🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@gprosser11]

Master Class with Hank Jones ; The Performance.. 2004..still great...

[@danjameson1572]

you're greatly missed, Bad Henry.

[@hremdldw]

The Father of the great linage of Detroit piano players.

[@PabluchoViision]

Detroit and Pittsburgh... two jazz, and specifically piano, powerhouses!!!

[@shizyninjarocks]

Cool as hell!

[@daryljohnson3896]

Wow, a serious musician who engages his audience .... Impressive!

[@edwarddesenne6153]

I believe he lived into his nineties, he must have studied with a classical teacher as did Benny Goodman, since his fingering technique is perfect- living proof "the best prevention for arthritis in old age" I heard him playing as soloist at a British big band concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London in the eighties. Having a heavy instrument , he had to travel to different venues with the early swing type bands and abroad which kept him fit and up to date with the changes in jazz composition and piano styles.

[@JPTucks]

Those voicings!!!!

[@HelloRalphGeorge]

Incredible... well, Jones-credible...

[@ts8538]

Awesome!

[@imalamboman12]

Oh, what a beautiful morning sends chills up my spine.

[@saltair5190]

An amazing pianist and such a gentle man

[@galmandakhunurbaatar1949]

legendary

[@ijohnny.]

Gorgeous arrangements. Alone Together lush, haunting.

[@britishlad5648]

The Great Hank Jones...

[@terenciojazzpiano7794]

So wonderful. Such joy, clarity, and subtlety.

[@lepredator189]

I can hear in Oscar Peterson's playing (especially ballad playing) pretty heavy influence from this great giant.

[@johnb2476]

True!!!

[@snoopy_next_door]

Symphonic Indeed

[@bellness729]

thanks you mrs hank verry good

[@willsims2009]

Man that left hand goes to Dmaj7 A7b9/D The Very Thought of You

[@CWI565]

Really Good Music. Mr. Jones is a powerhouse musician.

[@RanBlakePiano]

The golden Touch !

[@TheDarmardar]

wonderful music, and a fine man.

[@islamicchronicles5381]

THANK YOU

[@jazzmanilow]

awesome good♪

[@woytd6435]

This is beyond scale awesome...

[@PabluchoViision]

The lushness of that harmonic pallette... beyond description. His feathery touch makes me wonder if Teddy Wilson was an early influence. Though now I see, to my surprise, that their age difference was only 6 years!

[@alexkuple]

How beautiful playing from the great .... thanks for share this

[@PSYLLA2020]

Lovely, thank you for sharing... What a joy listening to Hank Jones!!

[@mitaibiru]

I adore hank

[@victory2171]

Amazing musician omg! I remember listening to piano at a very young girl. I certainly appreciate this. Thank you!

[@ArtistsHouseMusic]

Thank you!

[@localpm]

Awesome.

[@BrianMinsk]

Thank you very much for this!

[@leandromanfredini01]

i´m very happy for this video, thank so much...

[@desperatetimes5873]

The master!

[@ArtistsHouseMusic]

Thanks, Edward

[@abrarkhan10376]

nice

[@shvedarmjazz]

Super

[@ioqoalhamrafikri4881]

Maestro

[@filistro]

What a wonderful pianoplayer. Influenced from All great pianists. Bravo!

[@Winelighter]

me too

[@xs10tl1]

Now I know who Bill Evans was listening to.

[@ridm34]

Ellis Larkins too

[@giannofkarajohn7197]

Awesome music , i'd like to play it in piano but i don't know where to find the sheets... any idea? :) please recomend something

[@Wajdic]

Great pianist. What is the setlist he plays in this concert?

[@lepredator189]

"Recuerdeme"

[@imalamboman12]

Unfortunately my hands are not as big as Hanks

[@UkuleleAversion]

27:41-27:45 If I Should Lose You

[@TheAllisterwhiteside]

hank all of that was so wrong!!! but it felt so good!!!

[@UkuleleAversion]

17:18 What is he doing with his RH fingers?

[@Arycke]

he's moving his fingers a bit extra to regain a little movement. When you get older, joints stiffen, everything becomes hard. It's just stretching the muscles in the hands (there are none in the fingers).

[@BenJogan]

27:41 "If I Should Lose You"?

[@LaterGator1425]

5:28

[@christophersimmons6377]

@LateGreatJazzPianists

[@benniemaupin3344]

N .

[@지구-v1b]

Monk

[@지구-v1b]

1:44

[@지구-v1b]

16:00

[@지구-v1b]

33:40

[@CRONIKMASTERBATR]

not as good as scott storch though !!! lol