Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Hank Jones: In Copenhagen - Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983
Hank Jones: In Copenhagen - Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983
ByOnly rarely would Jones discuss his most famous gig, accompanying Marilyn Monroe, on May 19 1962 as she sang "Happy Birthday, Mr President" to John F. Kennedy. Music was what mattered to him, not showbiz. "When you listen to a pianist, each note should have an identity, each note should have a soul of its own," Jones said.
This quiet, self-effacing artist was at his best in small, intimate jazz clubs like Slukefter in Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, where this hitherto unreleased 1983 session was recorded. It's a relaxed, swinging set with Jones accompanied by local bassist Mads Vinding and West Coast drummer Shelly Manne. Jones revisits his bebop days with "Au Privave" and "Scrapple From The Apple" by Charlie Parker and "Budo" by Bud Powell. Then, from the hard bop era that followed, comes Benny Golson's "Stablemates." The rest are standards, including a version of Johnny Mercer's "Tangerine" on which the usually oh-so-tasteful drumming by Manne becomes a little intrusive on occasion.
Hank Jones disliked all categorization in music. Even the terms "jazz" and "bebop" were, he said, "degrading and destructive." He died at the age of 91 in 2010. The gently swinging, timeless elegance of his music is his memorial, no categories needed.
Track Listing
Just Friends; Au Privave; Alone Together; Stablemates; It Could Happen To You; Scrapple From The Apple; Budo; Tangerine; What’s New.
Personnel
Hank Jones
pianoHank Jones: piano; Mads Vinding: bass; Shelly Manne: drums.
Album information
Title: In Copenhagen - Live at Jazzhus Slukefter 1983 | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Storyville Records
< Previous
In Denmark I Was Born
Next >
A Year Ago Today