Hank Jones

If they gave out MVP awards in music, then Hank Jones would have a mantel full of them. An incredibly flexible pianist, his Swing-meets-Bop keyboard style has led him to accompany everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Charlie Parker and from Cal Tjader to Miles Davis. Jones is the eldest brother of Thad and Elvin, and maybe growing up in a musical family led him to sharing the spotlight. But, like Oscar Peterson (who also makes others look good), Jones has released a furlong of swell records under his own name. His current albums show him nailing down rhythm tunes and ballads with seemingly effortless grace.