John Hicks (pianist)

American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger (1941–2006)

John Josephus Hicks Jr. (December 21, 1941 – May 10, 2006) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He was leader of more than 30 recordings and played as a sideman on more than 300. After early experiences backing blues musicians, Hicks moved to New York in 1963. He was part of Art Blakey's band for two years, accompanied vocalist Betty Carter from 1965 to 1967, before joining Woody Herman's big band, where he stayed until 1970. Following these associations, Hicks expanded into freer bands, including those of trumpeters Charles Tolliver and Lester Bowie. He rejoined Carter in 1975; the five year stay brought him more attention and helped to launch his recording career as a leader. He continued to play and record extensively in the United States and internationally. Under his own leadership, his recordings were mostly bebop influenced, while those for other leaders continued to be in a diversity of styles, including multi year associations with saxophonists Arthur Blythe, David Murray, David "Fathead" Newman, and Pharoah Sanders.

Hicks was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 21, 1941, His family was middle class: "I was brought up as a decent human being, where you had aspirations and there were expectations", he commented. after he began playing aged six or seven in Los Angeles. He took organ lessons, sang in choirs and tried the violin and trombone. His development accelerated once his family moved to St. Louis, when Hicks was 14 and he settled on the piano. which performed in a variety of musical styles. Hicks cited influences "from Fats Waller to Thelonious Monk to Methodist church hymns", He then played with Joe Farrell and toured with trombonist Al Grey and tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell. and appeared on CBC Television backing vocalist Jimmy Witherspoon. After periods with Kenny Dorham and Joe Henderson, Hicks joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1964. Early in 1965, Hicks toured with Blakey to Japan, France, Switzerland, and England. From the 1970s, he also played in more avant garde bands, beginning with recordings led by Oliver Lake and performances and recordings in the Netherlands with Charles Tolliver. The session resulted in two albums – the trio Hells Bells, with bassist Clint Houston and drummer Cliff Barbaro, and the solo piano Steadfast

Hicks reunited with Carter in 1975, including accompanying her in a musical play, Don't Call Me Man, that year. After recording with Carter on her Now It's My Turn in 1976, Hicks returned to her band full time; this raised his profile and led to his own recording – After the Morning. From 1983, the flautist Elise Wood was frequently a member of his groups. They formed a business partnership – John Hicks Elise Wood, Inc. – and toured the US, Europe and Japan in the 1980s. He also freelanced, including with players such as Arthur Blythe, David Murray, and Pharoah Sanders. From around 1989 into the 1990s, he played with the Mingus Dynasty band, including for performances of the symphony Epitaph. By now making regular appearances at jazz festivals internationally, Hicks continued to perform in New York City.

Hicks divorced his wife, Olympia, in the early 1990s. Like many jazz musicians in the 1990s, Hicks recorded for multiple labels proposing different recording ideas. The resultant recordings included duo sessions with Jay McShann (1992) and Leitch (1994) for the American Reservoir Records, and several trio based sessions for Japanese labels – the New York Unit with bassist Richard Davis and drummer Tatsuya Nakamura for Paddle Wheel Records, and the New York Rhythm Machine with bassist Marcus McLaurine and drummer Victor Lewis for Venus Records. These were followed by more trio recordings for other labels – the Keystone Trio of George Mraz and Muhammad for the Milestone label from 1995, and a longer lasting band with Dwayne Dolphin on bass and Cecil Brooks III on drums for HighNote Records from 1997. Hicks played on five of David "Fathead" Newman's albums for HighNote, and was described in 2000 as the "HighNote house pianist". There were also more dates as a sideman for Murray, Leitch, Blythe, Freeman, and Roy Hargrove (1989–90, 1995), Bartz (1990), Lake (1991), Steve Marcus and Valery Ponomarev (both 1993), Nick Brignola, Russell Gunn, and Kevin Mahogany (all 1994), the Mingus Big Band (c1995), Fortune (1996), and Jimmy Ponder (1997). He performed in the UK with the Mingus Big Band in 1999, and played on their album Blues and Politics in the same year. The pianist recorded the seventh instalment of the "Live at Maybeck Recital Hall" series of solo piano concerts which were recorded for Concord Records. He was part of Joe Lovano's quartet in 1998, which led to Hicks being part of the saxophonist's nonet from its formation the following year. Hicks and Wood married in June 2001. He made a rare recording on organ (Hammond B3) on saxophonist Arthur Blythe's Exhale. Over the last decade or so of Hicks life, he recorded several collaborations with Elise Wood to mixed reviews (Single Petal of a Rose, Trio & Strings, Beautiful Friendship). In January and February, he toured Israel, chiefly playing Thelonious Monk compositions. Wood survived him, and has led a band dedicated to his music. In the view of AllMusic reviewer Michael G. Nastos, "Hicks died before reaping the ultimate rewards and high praise he deserved". A collection of his papers and compositions, as well as video and audio recordings, is held by Duke University.

Fellow pianist George Cables stated that Hicks "was a very strong and energetic player, and a very warm player, very much part of the tradition". Hicks's playing was sometimes criticized as being insubstantial; The Penguin Guide to Jazz commented that "This [ ] is missing the point. Almost always, he is more concerned to work within the dimensions of a song than to go off into the stratosphere." Hicks had a style of his own, containing a "combination of irresistible creativity and responsiveness [ ] encompassing swing, hard bop and the avant garde, and made him a first call choice for many of the most important American modern jazz groups". A few years later, another reviewer highlighted the "subtle dynamic shadings" of Hicks's left hand, and his "reverence for melody and a sense of musical destination that gives form to his improvisations." As an accompanist, Hicks played delicately, with carefully voiced chords.

His compositions "are wandering and melodic, suggestive and malleable yet memorable".

An asterisk (*) after the year indicates that it is the year of release.

Year recordedTitleLabelNotes1975Hells BellsStrata EastTrio, with Clint Houston (bass), Cliff Barbaro (drums); released 19801975SteadfastStrata EastSolo piano; released 19801979After the MorningWest 54Some tracks solo piano; some tracks duo, with Walter Booker (bass); one track trio, with Cliff Barbaro (drums) added1981Some Other TimeTheresaMost tracks trio, with Walter Booker (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums); two tracks solo piano1982John HicksTheresaSome tracks solo piano; some tracks trio, with Bobby Hutcherson (vibes), Walter Booker (bass); one track duo, with Olympia Hicks (piano); reissue by Evidence added one track trio, with Olympia Hicks, Idris Muhammad (drums)1984In ConcertTheresaMost tracks trio, with Walter Booker (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums); some tracks quartet, with Elise Wood (flute) or Bobby Hutcherson (vibes) added; in concert1985Inc. 1DIWMost tracks trio, with Walter Booker (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums); some tracks solo piano1985Sketches of TokyoDIWDuo, with David Murray (tenor sax)1986–87Two of a KindTheresaDuo, with Ray Drummond (bass)1987I'll Give You Something to Remember Me ByLimetreeTrio, with Curtis Lundy (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums)1985–88LuminousNilvaSome tracks duo, with Elise Wood (flute); some tracks quartet, with Walter Booker (bass), Jimmy Cobb, Alvin Queen (drums, separately) added; some tracks quintet, with Clifford Jordan (tenor sax) added1988East Side BluesDIWTrio, with Curtis Lundy (bass), Victor Lewis (drums)1988Naima's Love SongDIWQuartet, with Bobby Watson (alto sax), Curtis Lundy (bass), Victor Lewis (drums)1989OleoCBS/SonyAs New York Unit; quartet, with George Adams (tenor sax), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)1989Rhythm a NingCandidAs Kenny Barron John Hicks Quartet; quartet, with Kenny Barron (piano), Walter Booker (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums) 1990Power TrioNovusTrio, with Cecil McBee (bass), Elvin Jones (drums)1990Is That So?TimelessTrio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums)1990Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume SevenConcord JazzSolo piano; in concert1990Blue BossaPaddle WheelAs New York Unit; quartet, with George Adams (tenor sax), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)1991St. Thomas: Tribute to Great TenorsPaddle WheelAs New York Unit; trio, with Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)1991–92Tribute to George AdamsPaddle WheelAs New York Unit; quartet; some tracks with George Adams, Dan Faulk (tenor sax; separately), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums); some tracks with Javon Jackson (tenor sax), Santi Debriano (bass), Nakamura (drums)1992Friends Old and NewNovusMost tracks sextet, with Joshua Redman (tenor sax), Clark Terry and Greg Gisbert (trumpet), Ron Carter (bass), Grady Tate (drums); one track septet, with Al Grey (trombone) added1992Now's the TimePaddle WheelAs New York Unit; quartet, with Marvin "Hannibal" Peterson (trumpet), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)1992Crazy for YouRed BaronTrio, with Wilbur Bascomb (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)1992Over the RainbowPaddle WheelAs New York Unit; mostly quartet, with Pharoah Sanders (tenor sax), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums); also released by Evidence as Naima1992Single Petal of a RoseMapleshadeSome tracks duo, with Elise Wood (flute); some tracks trio or quartet, with Jack Walrath (trumpet), Walter Booker (bass) added1992After the MorningDSMSolo piano; in concert1992The Missouri ConnectionReservoirDuo, with Jay McShann (piano, vocals); one track solo piano1992Blues March: Portrait of Art BlakeyVenusAs New York Rhythm Machine; trio, with Marcus McLaurine (bass), Victor Lewis (drums)1992Moanin': Portrait of Art BlakeyVenusAs New York Rhythm Machine; trio, with Marcus McLaurine (bass), Victor Lewis (drums)1993Beyond ExpectationsReservoirTrio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)1993Lover Man: A Tribute to Billie HolidayRed BaronTrio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Victor Lewis (drums)1994Gentle RainSound HillsTrio, with Walter Booker (bass), Louis Hayes (drums)1994DualityReservoirWith Peter Leitch (guitar)1994AkariApollonAs New York Unit; quartet, with Marvin "Hannibal" Peterson (trumpet), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)1994In the MixLandmarkQuintet, with Vincent Herring (alto sax, soprano sax), Elise Wood (flute), Curtis Lundy (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums)1995Piece for My PeaceLandmarkSome tracks solo piano; one track trio, with Curtis Lundy (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums); one track quintet, with Bobby Watson and Vincent Herring (alto sax) added; most tracks sextet, with Elise Wood (flute) added; one track duo, with Wood (flute)1995Heart BeatsMilestoneAs Keystone Trio; with George Mraz (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums)1997Newklear MusicMilestoneAs Keystone Trio; with George Mraz (bass), Idris Muhammad (drums)1997Something to Live For: A Billy Strayhorn SongbookHighNoteTrio, with Dwayne Dolphin (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums)1997Nightwind: An Erroll Garner SongbookHighNoteTrio, with Dwayne Dolphin (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums)1997Cry Me a RiverVenusTrio, with Dwayne Burno (bass), Victor Lewis (drums)1997Trio + StringsMapleshadeWith Elise Wood (alto flute), Steve Novosel (bass), Ronnie Burrage (drums), Steve Williams (drums), Rick Schmidt (cello), Debbie Baker (viola), Charles Olive and Tom Ginsberg (violin)1998Impressions of Mary LouHighNoteTrio, with Dwayne Dolphin (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums)1998Ow!Paddle WheelAs New York Unit; quartet, with Javon Jackson (tenor sax), Richard Davis (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)1998*Hicks TimePassin' ThruSolo piano2000Beautiful FriendshipHiWoodDuo with Elise Wood (flute)2001Music in the Key of ClarkHighNoteTrio, with Dwayne Dolphin (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums)2003Fatha's Day: An Earl Hines SongbookHighNoteTrio, with Dwayne Dolphin (bass), Cecil Brooks III (drums)2003*Besame MuchoIJEAs New York Unit; trio, with Santi Debriano (bass), Tatsuya Nakamura (drums)2005–06TwogetherHighNoteMost tracks duo, with Frank Morgan (alto sax); some tracks solo piano2006On the Wings of an EagleCheskyTrio, with Buster Williams (bass), Louis Hayes (drums)2006I Remember YouHighNoteSolo piano; in concert2006Sweet Love of MineHighNoteSome tracks quartet, with Javon Jackson (tenor sax), Curtis Lundy (bass), Victor Jones (drums); some tracks quintet, with Elise Wood (flute) added; some tracks sextet, with Ray Mantilla (percussion) added

Year recordedLeaderTitleLabel1998Solid!Milestone2005Sunday in New YorkVenus1989What BecauseGramavision1996Killer Ray Rides AgainSharp Nine1998Just for YouMapleshade2001Vietnam: The AftermathJustin Time2004Vietnam: ReflectionsJustin Time1990West 42nd StreetCandid2001Live at the Jazz Corner of the WorldEarly Bird1986Live At The Jazz Cultural TheaterCadence Jazz2004SignatureReservoir1993East Coast StrollReservoir1999Now Is the Time: Live at the Knitting FactoryBubble Core1964'S Make ItLimelight1965Are You RealMoon1965Soul FingerLimelight1965Hold On, I'm ComingLimelight1972Child's DancePrestige2001*Everything Must ChangeJustin Time1983Bearer of the Holy FlameBlack Fire1984EbuSoul Note1980IllusionsColumbia1981Blythe SpiritColumbia1988*Basic BlytheColumbia1993RetroflectionEnja1993Calling CardEnja2001Blythe ByteSavant2002ExhaleSavant1990Sunrise SunsetRed Baron2005–06Blues TwilightB 1 Music1974Fast Last!Muse1991Memories of LouisRed Baron1994*Like Old TimesReservoir2000Live at Sweet BasilSavant2000Live at Sweet Basil, Volume TwoSavant1998ZaiusJustin Time1998I've Got Your NumberJustin Time1976Now It's My TurnRoulette1979The Audience with Betty CarterBet Car1992It's Not About the MelodyVerve1992The Music Never StopsBlue Engine2003Gardenias for Lady DayColumbia1989RevelationMuse1980Side by SideMuse1998Monk, Trane, Miles & MeHighNote2000Inner UrgeHighNote1985LifeSoul Note2001*The Bassist: Homage to DiversityPalmetto1987*Manhattan BurnColumbia1966Structurally SoundPacific Jazz1980Flying ColorsMuse1982*InterpretationsMuse1975AwakeningHorizon1996From Now OnBlue Note1999In the Spirit of John ColtraneShanachie1978The Outside WithinIndia Navigation1978–79Spirit SensitiveIndia Navigation1978–79Still SensitiveIndia Navigation1989 and Arthur BlytheLuminousJazz House1998Live at the Blue NoteHalf Note1994Dance of the Night CreaturesMapleshade1971 and Carl GrubbsThe Visitors Earl Grubbs Carl GrubbsCobblestone1994Young GunnMuse1989Diamond in the RoughNovus1995FamilyVerve1997HabanaVerve1986*ChicplacityCadence Jazz1994*Flight of the SpiritMonad1968Light My FireCadet1969Heavy ExposureCadet1986–89American ExperienceNimbus1978The Rise of AtlantisTimeless Muse1993*InspiraMidnight Sun1971Ntu: Point from Which Creation BeginsArista1991Again and AgainGramavision1984–88ExhilarationReservoir1990*Mean What You SayConcord Jazz1992*From Another PerspectiveConcord Jazz1993A Special RapportReservoir1995Colours and DimensionsReservoir1999California ConcertJazz House2005When I Look in Your EyesMotéma Music199952nd Street ThemesBlue Note2002On This Day Live at The VanguardBlue Note2005Streams of ExpressionBlue Note1999*Against All OddsJustin Time2001PurposeJustin Time1994Songs and MomentsEnja1993SmileRed Baron1993Time for LoveAmosaya1989EpitaphColumbia1997*Live in TimeDreyfus1999*Blues and PoliticsDreyfus2004I Am ThreeSunnyside1991*Next Generation Performs Charles Mingus' Brand New CompositionsColumbia1966 and Sonny RedBaltimore 1966Uptown1967Hi VoltageBlue Note1968TaruBlue Note1968Live In Baltimore: 1968Fresh Sound1997TelevisionUnidisc1980sVisiting This PlanetAnami1980sHearing VoicesAnami1983Morning SongBlack Saint1986I Want to Talk About YouBlack Saint1988Ming's SambaPortrait1991Fast LifeDIW/Columbia1991Ballads for Bass ClarinetDIW1991David Murray/James Newton QuintetDIW1992MXRed Baron1993Jazzosaurus RexRed Baron1993SaxmenRed Baron1993For Aunt LouiseDIW1993Love and SorrowDIW2000Like a Kiss that Never EndsJustin Time1998Chillin'HighNote2000Keep the Spirits SingingHighNote2002The GiftHighNote2003Song for the New ManHighNote2004I Remember Brother RayHighNote1997James StreetHighNote1998Ain't Misbehavin' HighNote1998A Guitar ChristmasHighNote1993Live at Sweet BasilReservoir1981AshantiNilva1985Jammin' UptownNilva1995Gabrielle's BalloonJazz Focus1990The LegacyEarly Bird1979Journey to the OneTheresa1981RejoiceTheresa1981Pharoah Sanders Live Theresa1987AfricaTimeless1987A Prayer Before DawnTheresa1984Beneath the SurfaceNilva1995Blue BalladsVenus1996True BalladsVenus1998True BlueVenus1996Something to Live ForTimeless1966Staying on the WatchESP1999EscapadeHighNote1972Live at the Loosdrecht Jazz FestivalStrata East2001*Tony's BluesCadence Jazz1997*Lilac: Volume 1Passin' Thru1986Love RemainsRed1988*No Question About ItBlue Note2006*About the SoulSwing2005New IncentiveElabeth1995Two by Two: Volume OneJustin Time1996*Side by Side, Volume ThreeJustin Time