Lyrics | Artists | Elmo Hope

Elmo Hope

A pioneering bebop and hard bop pianist and composer, Elmo Hope had a strong career as a sideman and as a leader, although his associations with more prominent figures often prevented him from becoming a star in his own right. Born on June 27, 1923, in New York City, Hope experienced several career disruptions in his brief life, the first coming when he was shot by police at age 17. He also departed to join the army during World War II, after which he eased back into music by playing with R&B acts before fully committing to jazz. Hope emerged on the jazz scene in the early 195...