Hank Jones Essentials

Early on, Detroit-bred pianist Hank Jones seemed content as a sideman; it wasn't until the mid-'50s, when he was nearing 40, that he began seriously pursuing a solo career. His subtle mastery of bop fundamentals sparkled in late bloom: There's no missing the refined elegance he brings to “An' Then Some”, a brisk quartet swinger from 1955. In the ‘70s his career as a leader truly took flight, whether leading the Great Jazz Trio with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams on a crisply swinging rendition of Duke Ellington's “Caravan” or dueting with bassist Charlie Haden on the spiritual “Go Down, Moses”.