Great Jazz Trio Someday My Prince Will Come CD

Feat:Hank Jones/Richard Davis/ Elvin Jones

Great Jazz Trio: Richard Davis (bass instrument); Elvin Jones, Hank Jones .
Personnel: Hank Jones (piano); Elvin Jones (drums).
Photographer: John Abbott .
Brothers Hank Jones and Elvin Jones met on record dates relatively few times during their long careers, but Elvin's taking over the drum chair in Hank's on-again, off-again Great Jazz Trio is a welcome addition. Together with bassist Richard Davis, the Jones brothers make sparks fly in this session of very familiar works, and all three men are in top form. Elvin's polyrhythms seem to ignite his elder brother in the hard-driving opener, "Caravan." Davis brings the late Milt Hinton to mind with his imaginative line underneath Hank's dancing piano, along with Elvin's immaculate brushwork. The leader's elegant treatment of the gorgeous ballad "A Child Is Born" (written by their late brother Thad) takes on a new poignancy. The pianist also keeps the often hackneyed "Satin Doll" fresh by adding a bit of dissonance. Davis' arco bass adds a humorous touch to "I'm Old Fashioned." The final track is a jaunty solo by Hank of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" that suggests the influence of Earl Hines. Sadly, this CD is evidently the final recording by the two brothers, as Elvin Jones passed away from heart failure in 2004. ~ Ken Dryden
Jazz aficionados might scoff at the suggestion of another trio album full of standards from the Great American Songbook. Weren't there enough renditions of "Caravan" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the 1950s and '60s? It's true that these 2002-2003 Great Jazz Trio dates cover familiar ground, but when the lineup consists of bassist Richard Davis and brothers Hank and Elvin Jones (on piano and drums, respectively), who can complain? The taste, precision, and energy displayed by these elder statesmen of the genre is enough to enliven even the most well-worn chestnuts.
Hank's piano playing on Ellington's "Caravan" and "Satin Doll," for example, is sophisticated and lightly swinging, yet also melodically adventurous (the latter track is freshened by a bit of dissonance). Davis's solid, busy lines keep things anchored and moving simultaneously--he excels in a bebop context, as on the trio's rendition of Charlie Parker's "Moose the Mooche." However, it is Elvin's drumming that gives this date the fire it needs to get cooking. Even when playing deep in the cut or pushing the rhythm with his subtle brushwork, Jones performs with great intensity, creating polyrhythms and gentle, complex propulsions that keep Davis and elder brother Hank on point.

Down Beat (p.76) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "The solos are typical Elvin: jangly, punchy, never really smooth but still swinging and distinctive. Hank's work is also lively, colorful and bouncy one moment, delicate and full of feeling the next."
JazzTimes (p.105) - "The ballads are meticulous and tender in their consideration, and the headlong fast tunes give no indication that Hank Jones could not go for another 44 years."