Earl Hines was an American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, in 1903. Widely regarded as one of the most influential pianists in jazz history, Hines revolutionized the instrument with his so-called trumpet style, using octaves and single-note lines to project melodies with horn-like clarity. His compositional output spans nearly six decades, beginning with landmark 1928 solo recordings including "A Monday Date," "Blues in Thirds," and "57 Varieties." That same year he recorded celebrated duets with Louis Armstrong, including "Weatherbird," which showcased his gift for spontaneous composition. Hines led a celebrated big band at the Grand Terrace Ballroom in Chicago from 1928 through the early 1940s, and his 1943 ensemble notably included Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan. On AllSolos his composition "Rosetta" is featured, a tune written with Henri Woode that became a widely performed standard. Other important Hines originals include "A Monday Date" and "Chicago Breakdown." He experienced a major career resurgence in the 1960s, recording prolifically as an unaccompanied soloist and in small groups until his death in Oakland, California, in 1983.
