John Hicks (jazz pianist)
| John Hicks | |
|---|---|
Hicks in 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Josephus Hicks, Jr. |
| Born |
December 21, 1941 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 2006 (aged 64) New York City, New York |
| Genres | Jazz, hard bop, bebop, free jazz, modal jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, educator |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1958–2006 |
| Associated acts | Jazz Messengers, Woody Herman, Betty Carter, Mingus Dynasty Band, Elise Wood |
John Josephus Hicks, Jr. (December 21, 1941 – May 10, 2006) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He was leader for 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, then backed vocalist Betty Carter from 1965 to 1967, before joining Woody Herman's big band, where he stayed until 1970. Following these largely mainstream jazz experiences, 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, the oldest of five children. As a child, he moved with his family around the United States, as his father, Rev John Hicks Sr, took up jobs with the Methodist church. His family was middle class; "I was brought up as a decent human being, where you had aspirations and there were expectations", he commented. He began playing the piano aged six or seven in Los Angeles. His mother, Pollie, was his first piano teacher. He also took organ lessons, sang in choirs and tried the violin and trombone. He began playing the piano in church once he could read music, around the age of 11. His development accelerated once his family moved to St. Louis, when Hicks was 14 and he settled on the piano. In St. Louis, he attended Sumner High School. Hicks cited influences "from Fats Waller to Thelonious Monk to Methodist church hymns", as well as local pianists. He was initially interested in the blues-based compositions of Horace Silver and popular songs such as "I Got Rhythm" and "There Will Never Be Another You", for their easily recognised harmonies.
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