Hank Jones RIP May 16, 2010

[Hardbopjazz]

Recently Hank has been in the hospital. His shows that were scheduled at Birdland this month have been canceled. Does anyone know more about his condition?

Get week Hank.

[BFrank]

I don't like hearing that.

[Hardbopjazz]

He is at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. If not mistaken this is a hospital for cancer treatment, and other ailments. Even at nearly 92 today, he had so much energy when I saw him in November of 2008. So hopefully he can abate whatever is ailing him now. When I saw him at Dizzy's in NYC he was siting at the piano talking to the audience. When he began to play the MIC rolled off the piano towards the floor. Before it hit the fllor he swooped it up with his hand like a dog grabbing a Frisbee.

Edited May 11, 2010 by Hardbopjazz

[Guest Bill Barton]

Best wishes for him to get well soon.

That's a great story, Hardbopjazz. He was pushing ninety the last time I heard him in performance. Had a chance to meet him briefly and shake his hand. Man, what a strong grip!

[Hardbopjazz]

He has pulled out of Death's clutches in the past, heartache and soforth, hopefully he can do it once more.

[BFrank]

This is not sounding good.

[Tom Storer]

I hope Hank pulls though whatever current health crisis he is in, but the end is in sight for anyone who is 92. I wish him a soft landing when the time comes.

[cymbalgroove]

I heard he's at Sloan-kettering as well. Hope and pray he can beat this too.

[epistrophy007]

I wish him all the best!!! He such a jazz treasure.

This summer he's billed at the Jazz Middelheim Festival here in Belgium.

I truly hope that I'll see him there...

j.

[sidewinder]

Here's wishing Hank well. He has so many friends and good wishers out there !

[david weiss]

Sorry to say but it seems he passed away last night

[J.A.W.]

Sorry to say but it seems he passed away last night

Kevin posted over on the Hoffman forum that Hank Jones passed away.

Very sad news. Loved his music.

I edited the thread title.

[Dan Gould]

Sad news but he certainly had a long and very musically productive life - even if he never struck an impolite note. Sad to realize the Jones boys are all gone now, but what music they left behind.

[king ubu]

Oh, that's sad to hear! But then i guess not even he could go on and on forever.

Thanks for all the fine music!

[Dan Gould]

Pulled out Bluesette on Black & Blue and Master Class on 32 Jazz for later today. Wish I could think offhand

of some of his best sideman dates as I know I've got lots more of those than I do of his leader dates.

[JSngry]

Sad news but he certainly had a long and very musically productive life

Absolutely. So much knowledge in that man...

[J.A.W.]

Jazz Times obit, posted by Kevin over on the Hoffman site.

[jeffcrom]

Not unexpected, but very sad. What a great man and musician. So long to the last of the Jones brothers.

[catesta]

Sad news.

RIP, Mr. Jones.

[Dan Gould]

Jazz Times obit, posted by Kevin over on the Hoffman site.

Not much of an obit (yet) but it does have a link to a feature article from 2009:

Hank Jones: I haven't Done My Best Yet

“I don’t think I’ve done my best yet,” said Jones. “That’s a goal that I’m working toward, and I haven’t gotten there yet. It’s like the story, and it’s true, about the guy who was interviewing George Shearing, and asked George if he’d been blind all his life. And George answered, ‘Not yet.’ So, no, I haven’t done my best yet.

“You know,” he added, his dark eyes strong and focused, beaming 90 years of accumulated wisdom, “what I enjoy the most is when I don’t make too many mistakes. Because every time you sit down at the piano you’re challenging yourself. But it’s not a competition. What you’re doing is you’re trying to make each performance be better than the last one. That’s what you work for. That’s what you hope for, to make each performance better than the last one.

“Not perfection,” Jones concluded, with a wry smile. “Because I don’t believe there is such a thing as perfect. Perfection is something you strive for that you never actually reach. It’s a place where you and the instrument become one—your mind, your fingers, your body. I’m still trying to reach that level.”

You gotta love a man who is 90 years young and thinks in those terms.

[John Tapscott]

Just last week I just listened to Hank's "Upon Reflection- the Music of Thad Jones" with Geroge Mraz and Elvin Jones - really good stuff. I love Hank's playing, but I don't have that many recordings with Hank as a leader, perhaps 10. Two of my favorites are 'Bop Redux and Groovin' High which I have on Muse LP's.

Really enjoy his recent CD's with Joe Lovano, as well.

You knew that Hank had been around a while when he referred on his Maybeck solo disc to "Joe Bushkin, one of the newer writers around these days."

R.I.P. Hank Jones and thanks for all the great music.

[CJ Shearn]

damn, RIP. The Jones' are together again. He was truly one of the most consistent pianists.

[mr jazz]

damn, RIP. The Jones' are together again. He was truly one of the most consistent pianists.

+1

[Aggie87]

RIP, Hank. Classy guy all around.

[Tom Storer]

RIP, Hank. One of the must-have trios under his own name was "Oracle" w. Dave Holland and Billy Higgins. I'll be giving that a spin tonight.