The Hampton Hawes Trio, led by the self-taught jazz pianist Hampton Hawes, emerged in the mid-1950s as a defining force in West Coast jazz. Formed after Hawes' military service in Japan, the trio featured bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Chuck Thompson. Their debut album, "Hampton Hawes Trio" (1955), showcased a fresh and swinging approach to standards, breathing new life into classics like "I Got Rhythm" and "All the Things You Are." Hawes' style, influenced by gospel roots and bebop pioneers such as Charlie Parker and Bud Powell, combined intricate melodies with rhythmic precision. The trio's recordings remain celebrated for their vitality and contribution to the jazz canon. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Hawes_Trio?utm_source=openai))