Album Notes

Hendrik Jan Barto was born on March 22, 1935 in the Netherlands. As a kid, he studied accordion & began playing the tango, rumba & polka at Dance Clubs. During World War 2 he played for the local baker to get food for his family. Little Hank listened to the American Forces Network on the radio, which inspired him to be a Jazz pianist.

In 1955 he immigrated to America. From 1956 to 1957 Hank played at the “Lauree” private nightclub in Salt Lake City with Nat King Cole, The Mills Brothers & Dave Frishberg. In 1958, he moved to California where he studied with Sam Sax in Hollywood.

Hank quickly gained popularity by playing piano at clubs throughout Southern California.