[78-L] Earl Hines

[RUSSELL BARNES]

During 1965, as a mature student, I spent a year several months in Southampton University (UK) 
  
Imagine my astonishment when I read a diminutive note on the Student’s Events board announcing that, in a week’s time, an Earl Hines would be playing the piano in one of the minor lecture rooms.   Ridiculous - was my immediate reaction.     I visited the Student’s Enquiries office where a bemused clerk said “Who’s Earl Hines.   We got a letter sayin’ he’s available so we booked him”. 
  
On the day Ernie Bayly (Talking Machine Review) and I arrived at the lecture room where less than a dozen students were waiting.    Earl arrived (somewhat bemused) – sat at a nice grand piano and played.  Within ten minutes some of the teenaged students found this wasn’t their cup o tea - and most left. 
  
We both moved close to the piano and Earl realised he had a least two appreciative listeners.   He finished the first set early and the three of us found a bar where we bought Earl a drink with our apologies for the poor turn out. 
  
He explained that he was on a somewhat hastily arranged US funded Educational-Good Will tour to Europe.   He went on to say that where he lived in the US he was an honorary member of his local Fire Service. They, it appeared, were flush with money and helped sponsor his tour. 
  
The second half was a dream come true.  About ten of us sat close to the piano as Earl played and chatted, weaving through his background in Jazz – I’d seen him previously within the rigours of a Theater arena - but this was something very different.   He was spellbinding !!.  
  
But so was Art Tatum – let’s not go down that road again. 
  
Russ B.