Take 5 With Earl 'Fatha' Hines

Earl 'Fatha' Hines was one of the great jazz pianists. His trumpet style of playing was highly influential. Addirionally, he led one of the great big bands which in its later incarnation hosted some of the bebop pioneers such as Dizzy Gilespie and Charlie Parker. We start off this short playlist with a duet with Louis Armstrong, "Weather Bird."

While not known as a boogie-woogie pianist he did record a classic "Boogie Woogie on St. Louis Blues." This is a solo performance in France.

One of the Hines Big band's most famous number was "Second Balcony Jump." The great Budd Johnson takes the tenor sax solo.

Next up is Hines playing "Rosetta" in 1939.

Last in our short playlist is a marvelous rendition of Eubie Blake's "Memories of You" from 1965.

As a bonus we have a video of Earl Hines describing his influences and technique.