1. Hank Crawford began formal piano studies at the age of nine and was playing for his church choir.
10 Facts About Hank Crawford
1. 2.
Hank Crawford's father had brought an alto saxophone home from the service and when Hank entered Manassas High School, he took it up in order to join the band.
3.
In 1958, Hank Crawford went to college at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.
4.
Hank Crawford led his own rock 'n' roll quartet, "Little Hank and the Rhythm Kings".
5.
When Hank Crawford left Ray Charles in 1963 to form his own septet, he had already established himself with several albums for Atlantic Records.
6.
Hank Crawford has done musical arrangement for Etta James, Lou Rawls, and others.
7.
David Sanborn cites Hank Crawford as being one of his primary influences.
8.
Hank Crawford is recognized by saxophonists as having a particularly unique and pleasing sound.
9.
In 1986, Hank Crawford began working with blues-jazz organ master Jimmy McGriff.
10.
Hank Crawford died on January 29,2009, at his home in Memphis, aged 74, due to complications arising from an earlier stroke.