Hicks, John (Josephus Jr.)

Hicks, John (Josephus Jr.), jazz pianist, bandleader; b. Atlanta, Ga, Dec. 21, 1941. Hicks played road gigs with Little Milton, Albert King, Al Grey, Johnny Griffin, and Pharaoh Sanders. Terry, Davis, and Oliver Nelson encouraged him to come to N.Y. in 1963. He then worked with Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson, and Joe Henderson before becoming a full-time member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. After two years with the Messengers, he joined the Betty Carter Trio (1966-68 and 1975-80). In between, ca. 1971, he appeared on St. Louis TV with a group including Julius Hemphill and drummer Philip Wilson. He also spent 20 months with the Woody Herman Big Band. He has led his own big band on various occasions since 1984, while continuing to play with various other leaders. During the 1990s, he also played with Mingus Dynasty. He has done workshops at schools and colleges throughout the country, and tours regularly, both nationally and internationally, including in Asia and Europe.

Discography

Hell’s Bells (1978); After the Morning (1979); Some Other Time (1981); John Hicks (1984); In Concert (1984); Luminous (1985); Two of a Kind (1988); Naima’s Love Song (1988); Eastside Blues (1988); Power Trio (1990); Live at Maybeck Recital Hall (1990); is That So? (1990); Friends Old and New (1992); Crazy for You (1992); Lover Man: Tribute to Billie Holiday (1993); Beyond Expectations (1993); Single Petal of a Rose (1994); In the Mix (1994); Gentle Rain (1995); A Piece for My Peace (1996). keystone trio:Heart Beats (1996); Newklear Music (1997).

—Lewis Porter