JOHN HICKS (pianist, composer) was born December 12, 1941 in Atlanta Georgia and passed away on May 10, 2006 in New York. Hicks, who claimed influences from Thelonius Monk to Methodist Church hymns played a steady role as sideman in the New York jazz scene over three decades. His collaborations included Johnny Griffin, Kenny Dorham, Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – performing with Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard, Betty Carter and Woody Herman. Hicks is best known for a series of tribute albums to Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams and Earl “Fatha” Hines.