Thaindian News

New York, May 17 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Jazz pianist Hank Jones has died. He was 91 years old. His death was confirmed by his manager – Jean Pierre Leduc. He said that Hank was admitted in a hospital in New York, as he was not well, and he breathed his last there.

He had a well-chequered career that spanned over seven decades, and he was the pianist who accompanied Marilyn Monroe when she rang ‘Happy Birthday’ to President John F. Kennedy. Even though he was 91 years old, yet his playing schedule was booked fully. He was also due to perform next week at the prestigious Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. He had also worked as an accompanist to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald. He was even honored with the Grammy Lifetime Award in 2009. And he had also been decorated with the National Medal of Arts in 2008.

At the Jazz Awards 2009, he was voted as the ‘pianist of the year’, and he had managed to edge out other legends like Kenny Barron and Keith Jarrett, for the honor.

According to Bill Charlap, “Hank was the perfect pianist. He was a consummate artist and a consummate professional. He had it all — he played the past, the present and the future all at the same time.”