Born: December 12, 1941 in Atlanta, GA
Died: May 10, 2006 in New York, NY
Genres: Jazz
Styles: Hard Bop, Post-Bop
Member Of: John Hicks & Elise Wood, New York Unit
Instruments: Piano

A versatile pianist who is able to retain his own personality whether playing hard bop, free, or anything in between, John Hicks has recorded many records throughout his career, both as a leader and as a sideman. After studying music at Lincoln University in Missouri, Hicks attended Berklee and started working as a freelance musician. He moved to New York in 1963, and was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1964-1966), and the groups of Betty Carter (1966-1968) and Woody Herman (1968-1970). He later worked again with Blakey (1973) and Carter (1975-1980), in addition to recording with Oliver Lake, Lester Bowie, Charles Tolliver, and Chico Freeman (1978-1979). From the early '80s on, Hicks has led his own trio and worked regularly with David Murray, Arthur Blythe, Pharoah Sanders, and others. As a leader, John Hicks has recorded for Strata East, Theresa, Limetree, DIW, Timeless, Red Baron, Concord, Evidence, Novus, Reservoir, Mapleshade, and Landmark, among others.

- Scott Yanow (All Music Guide)