Hampton Hawes - Be Mine (2015)

Hampton Hawes was one of the finest jazz pianists of the 1950s, a fixture on the Los Angeles scene who brought his own interpretations to the dominant Bud Powell style. In the mid- to late '40s, he played with Sonny Criss, Dexter Gordon, and Wardell Gray, among others on Central Avenue. He was with Howard McGhee's band (1950-1951), played with Shorty Rogers and the Lighthouse All-Stars, served in the Army (1952-1954), and then led trios in the L.A. area, recording many albums for Contemporary. Arrested for heroin possession in 1958, Hawes spent five years in prison until he was pardoned by President Kennedy. He led trios for the remainder of his life, using electric piano (which disturbed his longtime fans) for a period in the early to mid-'70s, but returned to acoustic piano before dying from a stroke in 1977. Hampton Hawes' memoirs, Raise Up Off Me (1974), are both frank and memorable, and most of his records (for Xanadu, Prestige, Savoy, Contemporary, Black Lion, and Freedom) are currently available. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

01. So In Love
02. Embraceable You
03. Back Home Blues
04. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
05. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
06. Love Is Just Around The Corner
07. Autumn In New York
08. Summertime
09. Body And Soul
10. Five Spot
11. Sweet Sue
12. Stella By Starlight
13. 'round Midnight
14. Hip
15. Easy Living