Memories Of You – 1965

Earl Hines

Hines plays a ballad his way

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Earl Hines (1903-83) was one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time.

While he could play stride piano in the 1920s with the best, his joy at breaking up the rhythm and taking time-defying breaks put him way ahead of his contemporaries; his piano solos from 1928 still sound a bit startling today.

While he had long periods leading a big band, being a member of the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, and playing in San Francisco-based Dixieland groups in the 1950s, Hines’ “comeback” in the mid-1960s (when critics finally began to notice him again) resulted in a renaissance that lasted until his passing.

Here is Earl Hines at a 1965 concert playing “Memories Of You” with constant creativity and surprising moments.

-Scott Yanow

 

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