Earl Hines

Description

Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, (28 December, 1903 Duquesne, Pennsylvania &ndash; 22 April, 1983 in Oakland, California) was one of the most important pianists in the history of jazz. <p>Earl Hines was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Duquesne, Pennsylvania. His father was a cornetist and leader of Pittsburgh's Eureka Brass Band, his stepmother a church organist. Hines at first intended to follow his father's example and play cornet but "blowing" hurt him behind the ears — while the piano didn't. He took classical piano lessons but also developed an ear for popular show tunes and was able to remember and play songs he heard in theaters. Hines claimed that he was playing piano around Pittsburgh "before the word 'jazz' was even invented"&#91;citation needed&#93;. <p>At the age of 17, Hines moved away from home to take a job playing with Lois Deppe &amp; his Serenaders in the "Liederhaus", a Pittsburgh nightclub, for 2 meals a day and $15 a week.. Deppe was a...