Earl Hines – At Home

Description

Earl Hines – At Home
Delmark DD 212 (1997)
Compact Disc

Earl Hines is known as one of the best jazz pianists of all-time. Count Basie said Earl is “the greatest piano player in the world.” In his liner notes, Stanley Dance reports, “Everyone who has heard these performances-musicians and critics alike-has recognized them as quintessential Hines.” As its title suggests, this solo album was indeed recorded at Earl Hines’ home in Oakland, California. Whether in live performance or in the recording studio, jazz pianists never get to play their own instrument. However, here Earl was recorded playing his own piano-a one-of-a-kind antique Steinway grand in mint condition, made specially in 1904. It was given to Hines as a gift in 1969, shortly before these recordings were made.