Hank Jones (88), the eldest Jones brother (drummer Elvin and trumpeter Thad), is the most quiet and most introspective player. He witnessed the evolution of jazz and saw all its styles passing by. Jones, a professional musician since the early forties, was one of the first pianists to open up to bebop. An area in which people like Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald and Charlie Parker employed him. Through the years he survived many jazz musicians, including his famous, younger brothers, trumpeter Thad and drummer Elvin, who passed away in '04. Hank loves to accompany female singers. He was, for instance, Ella Fitzgerald's pianist during the period '48- '53. At North Sea his trio will perform with the talented Italian singer Roberta Gambarini. The singer, who earned a scholarship to study at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1998, won a third prize at the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Vocal Competition in Washington (D.C.). From that moment on Gambarini has worked with international jazz artists including Billy Higgins, Harold Land, Ben Riley and T.S. Monk's band. She will complement the jazz trio with her warm, dark timbre and capacity to scat in a jazz standards packed concert.
