Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, (28 December 1… Read Full Bio ↴Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, (28 December 1903 – 22 April 1983) was a jazz musician, often referred to as "the first modern jazz pianist".

In 1928 (on his 25th birthday) Hines began leading his own big band. For over 10 years his was "The Band" in Al Capone's Grand Terrace Cafe — Hines was Capone's "Mr Piano Man". Hines recorded for Victor in 1929, then after a gap for Brunswick from 1932-1934, Decca from 1934-1935, then after another gap, Vocalion from 1937-1938 and Bluebird from 1939-1942 (nearly all among the best Black Jazz of the era). From the Grand Terrace, The Earl Hines Orchestra (or "Organization" as he more happily referred to it) broadcast on "open mikes", sometimes five nights a week and over many years, coast to coast across America — Chicago being well placed to deal with the U.S. live-broadcasting time-zone problem. Hines's band became the most broadcast band in America. Sometimes Nat "King" Cole was Hines's relief pianist (though Cliff Smalls was his favorite) and it was here with Hines that Charlie Parker got his first professional job...until he was fired for his time-keeping — by which Hines meant Parker's inability to show up on time despite Parker resorting to sleeping under the Grand Terrace stage in his attempts to do so. Hines led his big band until 1947, taking time out to front the Duke Ellington orchestra in 1944 while Duke was ill...but the big-band era was over. (Thirty years later, Hines's 20 solo "transformative versions" of his "Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington" recorded in the 1970s were described by Ben Ratliff in the "New York Times" as "as good an example of the jazz process as anything out there".)

At the start of 1949 Hines rejoined Armstrong in the latter's "All Stars" "small band", where Hines stayed through 1951. He then led his own small combo around the States and Europe. At the start of the jazz-lean 1960s he settled in Oakland, California, opened a tobacconist's, and came close to giving up the profession. Then, in 1964 Hines was "suddenly rediscovered" following a series of concerts in New York. He was the 1965 "Critics' Choice" for Down Beat Magazine's "Hall of Fame". From then till he died he recorded endlessly both solo and with jazz notables like Cat Anderson, Buck Clayton, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Gonsalves, Sonny Greer, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Budd Johnson, Jimmy Rushing, Stuff Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Joe Venuti and Ben Webster. Possibly more surprising were Elvin Jones, Peggy Lee, Charles Mingus, Dinah Washington — and Ry Cooder. But his most acclaimed recordings of this period were his dazzling and endlessly inventive solo performances, which could show him at his very best, "a whole orchestra by himself".[12] Solo tributes to Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin were all put on record in the 1970s. Hines also toured Europe again regularly at this time, and added Asia, Australia and the Soviet Union to his list of State Department–funded destinations. At the top of his form, Hines also displayed his endearing quirks (not to say grunts) in these performances. Sometimes he sang as he played, especially his own "They Never Believed I Could Do It - Neither Did I". In 1975 he made an hour-long "solo" film for British TV out-of-hours in a Washington nightclub: the "New York Herald Tribune" described it as "The greatest jazz-film ever made". He played solo in The White House and played solo for the Pope — and played (and sang) his last job a few days before he died in Oakland, quite likely somewhat older than he had always maintained.

"C" Jam Blues
Earl Hines Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby, take me down to Duke's place
Wildest box in town is Duke's place
Love that piano sound in Duke's place
Saxes do their tricks in Duke's place

Fellas swing their chicks in Duke's place
Come on, get your kicks in Duke's place
You find yourself a seat, and when you want to eat

You look around and yell waiter

You fill your cup chock full of dreams and drink it up
You're jetting along with your girlie
It's after three o'clock, but, baby, it's still early
If you've never been to Duke's place

Take your tootsies into Duke's place
Life is in a spin in Duke's place

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Earl Hines's song "C" Jam Blues describe a night out at Duke's place, the wildest box in town. The singer loves the piano sound and the saxes that perform their tricks in Duke's place. The place is lively, and the fellows swing their chicks, urging others to come and get their kicks. When you enter, you look around for a seat, and when you want to eat, you call for the waiter. In Duke's place, you fill your cup with dreams and drink them up while having a great time with your girl. Although it's after three o'clock in the morning, it's still early, and life is spinning in Duke's place.

The entire song is an invitation to have a great time at Duke's place, and the lyrics highlight the people, music, and ambiance of the place. The upbeat tempo and lively beats add to the feel of the song and make it a classic jazz number. The song captures the essence of Duke Ellington, who was well known for his lively and energetic performances. The song is a celebration of music, dance, and life, and it encourages people to let loose and have fun.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby, take me down to Duke's place
Let's go to Duke's place together

Wildest box in town is Duke's place
Duke's place is the most exciting venue in the town

Love that piano sound in Duke's place
The piano music in Duke's place is loved and appreciated

Saxes do their tricks in Duke's place
The saxophones in Duke's place come up with wonderful melodies

Fellas swing their chicks in Duke's place
Men dance with their girlfriends in Duke's place

Come on, get your kicks in Duke's place
Let's have some fun and enjoy ourselves in Duke's place

You find yourself a seat, and when you want to eat You look around and yell waiter
You can find a seat easily in Duke's place and call the waiter when you want to order food

You fill your cup chock full of dreams and drink it up You're jetting along with your girlie
You can indulge in your wildest dreams and enjoy the time with your girlfriend in Duke's place

It's after three o'clock, but, baby, it's still early
Even though it's already 3 AM, it still feels like the night is young

If you've never been to Duke's place
If you haven't visited Duke's place before

Take your tootsies into Duke's place
Come and step into Duke's place

Life is in a spin in Duke's place
Life feels full of excitement and surprises in Duke's place

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUKE ELLINGTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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