PRODUCT INFORMATION / REVIEWS:
 Roland Hanna was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 10, 1932, the son of a Baptist minister. Roland's first interest was classical music, but his high school friend, Tommy Flanagan, got him interested in jazz. After a stint in the service, playing with an Army band, Roland studied a short while at the Eastman School of Music and then at Juilliard where he graduated Roland played in clubs in Detroit and then with 1958 Benny Goodman band and the Charlie Mingus group in 1959. In the early 60's he appeared with his own group at the famous Five Spot in New York and accompanied many vocalists including Sarah Vaughan. In 1964 he appeared in the first Japanese musical film for which he wrote the music. Roland was a star performer with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band from 1966 to 1974. He played with the New York Jazz Sextet in 1966 and later in 1969 with the New York Jazz Quartet. Roland toured Europe and Africa as a soloist and it was in 1969 that the President of Liberia knighted Roland for his humanitarianism and his promotion of education to young Africans. In 1973 he played on the Dick Cavett TV Show with Bobby Rosengarden's band. Since then he has appeared as a soloist, with his trio and the New York Jazz Quartet and has recorded three albums for Progressive Records. Roland now plays as a soloist and is touring all over the world. … George (Jiri) Mraz, the Czechoslovakian wiz of the contrabass, is a marvel. His intonation, his attack and his improvisation, with that steady beat, is something to behold. George's arco playing on TIME FOR THE DANCERS is truly thrilling. Richard Pratt may first be known for his exploits as a tackle with the New York Giants, but his tasty, colorful drumming is remarkable. Richard is huge and Buddah-like in stature, but his delicate handling of the drums is sheer rhythmic magic. You'll enjoy hearing his tender bell and chime rack work. Roland is outstanding in his performances here. There is great swing on CHERYL. There is beauty in TIME FOR THE DANCERS in which your mind's eye can see the lovely dancers of the ballet corps appear en pointe with the pirouettes and stag leaps. You get the feeling of melodic flight to the airy FLIGHT TO ANN'S VILLE. There is mystic fun found in ODE TO A POTATO PLANT. There is joy and elation in George Mraz' composition, JED. (This tune was composed in honor of Bradley Cunningham's then newborn son, Jed. Bradley is the proprietor of Bradley's, my favorite watering hole and piano room, in New York City's Greenwich Village, where Roland and George have appeared many times.) On DOUBLE INTENTIONS we hear the excitement of the wizardry of all these fine players making us wish and wish again for more. Truly, Roland Hanna, George Mraz and Richard Pratt bring out the dancer in anyone who listens. -Gus Statiras
PERSONNEL
TRACKS
OTHER RELEASES WITH ROLAND HANNA
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