John Hicks, the internationally renowned jazz artist and composer, was born on December 21, 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of five. Raised in a musical family, Hicks was exposed to a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, and gospel.
After graduating from high school, Hicks attended Lincoln University in Missouri, where he studied music theory and composition. He later enrolled at Boston's Berklee School of Music, where he honed his skills as a pianist and composer. It was during his time at Berklee that Hicks began to make a name for himself in the jazz scene, performing at local clubs and jam sessions.
After completing his studies, Hicks moved to New York City in 1963, where he quickly found work as a session musician. He was soon hired by blues singer Big Maybelle, with whom he toured and recorded for several years. It was during this time that Hicks began to establish himself as a versatile and talented pianist, known for his soulful playing and inventive improvisation.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Hicks worked with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Arthur Blythe, Gary Bartz, and Kenny Barron. He also had a long and fruitful collaboration with jazz singer Betty Carter, with whom he recorded several albums and toured extensively.
Despite his success, Hicks remained humble and down-to-earth, always putting the music first. He lived a transient childhood, as his family moved frequently, but he credited his time in St. Louis as a formative period in his development as a musician. Hicks passed away in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and soulful music that continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.
John Hicks will always be remembered as a gifted pianist, composer, and bandleader, whose passion for music was matched only by his talent and dedication to his craft.
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