Jazz pianist Hank Jones dies at 91

Jazz pianist Hank Jones, 91, died Sunday night at a hospital in New York after a brief illness, said his manager, Jean Pierre Leduc.

Jones came from a family of musicians. They included his brother Elvin, a drummer; and brother Thad, a cornetist, band leader, composer and arranger.

Leduc said Jones "lived and breathed music and was never far from a keyboard, even at the end."

He said Jones was scheduled to play at New York City's Birdland next week.

At last year's Jazz Awards, Jones was voted pianist of the year. The crowded field of nominees included such distinguished veterans as Kenny Barron and Keith Jarrett.

Click here to read the full obituary by jazz writer Don Heckman.

-- Associated Press

Photo: Jazz pianist Hank Jones. Credit: Jimmy Katz / Verve Records