I try to play for God, man! I play for the Creator. I feel that if I play and let everything come out of me, like my body is a tool, if I think deep enough and try to let the truth come out, then I can bring something to the audience. Because if they're thinking deep, the same shit will be coming out of them. I try to play for the Creator, because I believe that's how deep the music is. Music is that deep. To me music is God, so I play for God. -- Hampton Hawes -- 1971
Los Angeles born pianist Hampton Hawes was self-taught. When still in his teenage years he played with heavyweights Dexter Gordon, Sonny Criss, and Wardell Gray. During a stint with the Howard McGhee band from 1950-1951, Hawes was fortunate enough to work with Charlie Parker. The great alto saxophonist would have a profound influence on Hawes’ own music. After serving in the army from 1952-1954, Hawes led his own trio with bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Chuck Thompson.
In 1958 Hawes was arrested and convicted of possessing heroin for which he served five years in prison before being granted executive clemency by president John F. Kennedy. After prison Hawes returned to playing music mostly in a trio or duo setting. He experimented with electronic music for a period, but soon returned to acoustic. In 1974 his autobiography, Raise Up Off Me: A Portrait Of Hampton Hawes, was published and would win a Deems Taylor Award.
There is a certain virtuosity heard in Hawes’ playing. He is quite efficient at fast tempos and executes rapid melodic lines with seeming ease. His playing of ballads is equally as impressive; his rubato intros and flourishes are always noteworthy as evidenced on "Yesterdays" from the recording Mingus Three.
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