Earl Hines

A short list of the greatest jazz pianists of all time would be incomplete if it did not include Earl Hines. Whether in the 1920s or the 1970s, Hines' solos were full of adventure, surprises, and dazzling brilliance. One of the very first jazz pianists to break away from stating the beat by playing stride or constant bass lines, Hines as early as the late 1920s often suspended time for a few moments while creating hair raising lines before always coming back and never losing the beat. While his right hand regularly played octaves (called “trumpet style”) so his piano could be heard over ensembles, his left was constantly tricky and unpredictable. Through the years his style would become even more complex yet one could always hear the melody in even his wildest flights.

Hines had an episodic and eventful career. Born in late 1903, he played trumpet for a little while before switching to piano. He made his recording debut with singer Lois Deppe in 1922, moved to Chicago, and by 1926 was teaming up with Louis Armstrong. In 1928 he exploded on records whether during superb solo piano performances, with Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra, challenging Armstrong on such gems as “West End Blues” and their duet recording of “Weather Bird,” or introducing his own big band. Hines led orchestras for 20 years, reluctantly breaking up his band in 1948. He spent three years with the Louis Armstrong All-Stars before settling in San Francisco where he spent much of the 1950s leading a fine dixieland band but being largely overlooked by the modern jazz world. That changed in 1964 when he performed three concerts at New York's Little Theater to rave reviews. During his last 19 years, Hines enjoyed a renaissance during which he traveled the world with his quartet, recorded many wondrous albums, and showed that, even as he reached the age of 79, he still loved to challenge himself by taking wild chances in his playing while always smiling.

Earl Hines sounded at his most explorative and exciting when he played solo. This solo recital of nine George Gershwin songs (framed by “Rhapsody In Blue”) was recorded in Italy in 1973. The performances range from remarkable to miraculous. Hines' variations on such songs as “Our Love Is Here To Stay,” “Embraceable You” and “They Can't Take That Away From Me” are full of fresh ideas, reckless (but successful) breaks, and surprises that make these versions far superior to nearly every instrumental version of the familiar songs. Earl Hines shows throughout Plays George Gershwin that the great jazz musicians can take any song, no matter how well known, and turn it into a new classic. (Scott Yanow)


Track List

* Rhapsody in Blue/ A Foggy Day George Gershwin (9:03)
* Love is Here to Stay George Gershwin (4:31)
* They All Laughed George Gershwin (4:10)
* Somebody Loves Me George Gershwin (7:12)
* Embraceable You George Gershwin (10:32)
* Let's Call The Whole Thing Off George Gershwin (5:58)
* They Can't Take That Away From Me George Gershwin (11:40)
* Love Walked In George Gershwin (7:55)
* Summertime George Gershwin (9:16)