Hank Jones, my another favorite.

Jimmy Smith plays Drums along with Ron Carter and Hank.

Hank gave a tribute to the city of Kobe saying he's been in love. And it is true that there are lots of Japaneses who love him along with Tommy Flanagan and John Lewis. I am one of them.

Know why? Because those people never push themselves with their power and technical play as Harbie Hancock does every once in a while. The MJQ had been the Japanese favorite. They were know to play like Bach, right?

The counterpoint of John Lewis and Milt Jackson was recognized as the art not the jazz. Those quiet but heart-warming performances are the favorites of Japanese people. And I've found a typical session of Hank Jones.
The joy is that the recording is made digital. Sound is clear and it can be said to images as well. I see smile staying on Hanks lip. Yeah, he must have enjoyed quiet but heart-warning audiences in Kobe city and felt his own existence quite pleasurable.

Can you believe Hank Jones playing with John Lewis?

I liked listening to Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Red Garland but had never tried to grab a few phrases to enrich my improvisation. They are to tough to copy and paste into my ad lib. On the other hand, I was able to write down series of single tone of John Lewis, Hank Jones and Tomy Flanagan.

Their phrases sound like well planned and well thought out and sing pretty well. Oh, By the way I wrote about John's talking this perspective on jazz. Now, I found Hank Jones talking his personal history. It's here, check it. It's interesting.

I've never thought of them played together. MJQ was the second live jazz group I saw. The first one was Art Blakey, both at Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Chording is a bit different though, if you add Tomy Flanagan, the trio completes my improvisation tutors during my pianist age. I cannot remember when though, I drove down to Village to listen to Hank. He gave me the same impression I expected when I listened to his records. Those are the days I enjoy living. Am I dieing? No, not yet, but it could be within a few years.