The interesting vocalist and pianist Jean Hoffman recorded her own album accurately entitled 'Jean Hoffman Sings and Swings' for the Fantasy label in 1957 and eclectic bandleader Paul Winter made use of her talents several decades later when putting together his ambitious -- at least in terms of expected attendance -- Concert for the Earth project nearly two decades later.

She came from a Portland family rich in musical talent and was already studying classical piano at the age of five. Despite this beginning, or perhaps because of it, Hoffman as a young lass was more inclined to play by ear. In her early twenties she began finding combos to sit in with in Portland. Eventually choosing to perform as a solo pianist, she found that the addition of vocals was an attractive asset not only for the listening audience but for the folks hiring the talent in rooms as well.

While standard musical dogma states clearly that marrying a drummer is a terrible mistake, Hoffman seemed happy enough in her marital choice of drummer Bill Young to list him as one of her favorite musicians in Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz -- right alongside another happy couple, Béla Bartók and Charlie Parker. She formed a trio with Young around the time of her Fantasy contract.

Billboard saluted the release of Jean Hoffman’s debut record with some words of praise: “An exciting new voice, a rarity indeed in today’s market, has at long last blossomed via chirp Jean Hoffman, who combines the best elements of jazz styling without negating her pop commercial lure. While it’s a little voice, it’s strong, resonant and powerful in expression. Her rendition of Bluebird of Happiness is one of the freshest and most imaginative arrangements of this tune to come along in many a moon, and coupled with the other standards in this package, it makes for palpitating listening. An artistic success, deserving of heavy exposure and air-play.”

Eugene Chadbourne -All Music Guide