Art Hodes - Keepin' Out of Mischief Now (Candid, 1988)

This post is by Dan

Art Hodes (p)

Recorded November 3 and 4, 1988

A few days before his 84th birthday, Art Hodes spent two days in a London recording studio to make two albums of solo piano. The first to be issued was Pagin' Mr. Jelly in 1989. The second, Keepin' Out of Mischief Now, was released in 1995. Producer Alan Bates had acquired Candid, and the Hodes records were two of his first projects for the label. Both albums serve as a reminder of the roots of American jazz. Pagin' Mr. Jelly is a tribute to Jelly Roll Morton, arguably the first jazz artist ever. Keepin' Out of Mischief Now is a recital of 16 pieces of various origins.

Each piece is perfectly proportioned and lasts only a few minutes. Hodes has exquisite timing and taste, putting each phrase together so that it's clearly recognizable but also clearly a jazz performance, not just old timey piano playing. There are no incredible techniques on display and no artistic agenda except to play a variety of songs in his unique style. Listening makes me imagine that Hodes knew these songs when they were written and were part of the popular music of earlier eras. Since Hodes' life spanned the eight decades comprising the whole history of jazz at the time, there is no doubting the authenticity of his mastery over the music. 

Keeping Out of Mischief Now is about as basic as jazz gets while still engaging all of its often-indescribable appeal.