for jutta hipp (11)

for jutta hipp
1925-2003

u never ceased to believe that real jazz happened in
small clubs, wrought by superb musicians whose talents were
eclipsed because they refused to push themselves into
the bright lights. & u stayed zoned in the comfort of small
quartets & quintets nourishing yr talent with
count basie, teddy wilson, fats waller & later
the hard bop, blues inspired rhythmic propensities of
horace silver until u emerged as the only
widely known, much respected female jazz pianist
in germany & europe’s own first lady of jazz.
u stayed true to yr beliefs, eschewing the spotlight
playing with a lean, low-key percussive, swinging style
then stopped playing in ’58, too through, all too through!


©Joseph McNair;2010