Jones jones

The three guys I wrote about recently as alternatives to Oscar Peterson, plus Elmo Hope, all have something in common. They're dead. Not so pianist Hank Jones, who's still making great music, some of it with saxophonist Joe Lovano. Meanwhile, on "The Great Jazz Trio: Someday My Prince Will Come," Columbia, you get three guys who are the epitome of professionalism on their instruments, Jones, his famous drumming brother Elvin (also deceased now) and the highly under appreciated Richard Davis on bass.

In some respects, this disk really showcases Davis, a good reason to buy it. I have to think Charlie Parker would have been tickled by the way Hank Jones Dances through "Moose the Mooche" and with Davis' bowing. Davis also gets to show his stuff on "Long Ago and Far Away" and "Satin Doll" (and Elvin Jones gets some, too, in what is mostly a comping outing for him, albeit it an impressive job of it). They really hit on all cylinders on the title track. That and Hank Jones' solo rendition of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," in which he takes the standard everywhere from waltz to Waller, probably make this CD worth it alone.