For My Father

by Thom JurekGrand jazz master pianist and octogenarian Hank Jones is accompanied here by bassist George Mraz and drummer Dennis Mackrel. The program is a collection of jazz and pop standards that Jones has undoubtedly played countless times before, and it matters not a whit. His sense of refinement, elegance, and swing saturates the proceedings. Whether it's on the graceful cover of Al Foster's "Paulette" with its elongated spaces or on an uptown version of Monk's "Bemsha Swing," Jones is a supreme melodist. His readings of Ellington and Strayhorn here are beyond reverential and are journeys of subtle harmonic discovery (check out "Lotus Blossom"). The reading of Harold Mabern, Jr.'s "Grace of God (There but for the Grace of God)" is simply glorious. In a career full of winners, add this one to the list.