John Hicks

American jazz pianist Born December 21, 1941 in Atlanta, GA, USA, died May 10, 2006 in New York City, NY, USA At first being taught piano by his mother, Hicks studied at Lincoln University of Missouri, Berklee College of Music, and the Julliard School. After playing with a number of different people during the early '60s (including Albert King, Oliver Nelson, Grant Green, Johnny Griffin, Pharoah Sanders) he joined Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers in 1964. He then played with Betty Carter (1965-66) and Woody Herman (1968-69) among others. In the early '70s, he taught jazz history and improvisation at Southern Illinois University before returning to accompanying Betty Carter. Released his first studio album as leader in 1975 ("Hells Bells") then continued to concentrate on performing solo and in smaller groups, although he also led his own big band and played with Mingus Dynasty. His first wife was Olympia Hicks, who also recorded with him. He married jazz flutist Elise Wood (Elise Wood-Hicks) in 2001.