Bertha Hope

Although she recorded three piano duets with her husband Elmo Hope in 1961, few knew that Bertha Hope was a talented pianist until her 1992 Minor Music release Between Two Kings. She grew up in California, started studying classical piano when she was three, became interested in jazz through the playing of Bud Powell, and in the late '50s worked in Los Angeles clubs with a trio. Bertha was married to Elmo Hope from 1960 up until his death in 1967, but put her own career on hold until re-emerging in the early '90s. ~ Scott Yanow