Earl 'Fatha' Hines was a renowned jazz pianist who was active in the 1920s and 1930s. He was known for his unique style of playing, which combined elements of stride and swing. He was also an influential figure in the development of bebop. Hines was a major influence on many other jazz musicians, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Dizzy Gillespie. He was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1971.