Sorrow indeed to hear of the passing of Frederick Dewayne (Freddie) Hubbard yesterday, at the age of 70, after a month in a coma following a heart attack. Mr. Hubbard had never really quite recovered from a 1992 injury that sidelined him, although he had been playing more frequently recently. He got to record one last album, that I have not heard.
Signed glossy of Freddie Hubbard from Stein on Vine's history wall
If you don't know Freddie Hubbard's music, his most famous records were probably "Open Sesame" (which also features Tina Brooks in fine form) and "Ready for Freddie." My personal favorite is "Hub-Tones," from 1962, probably because I've owned it the longest. A gem to have is "The Trumpet Summit Meets the Oscar Peterson Big Four," on Pablo, from 1980. And his swan song, issued just last summer, was "On the Real Side," which was featured on the covers of both Jazz Times and Down Beat.
A live experience that's much overlooked these days is 1977's "VSOP: The Quintet" (which you'll find listed under Herbie Hancock's name on iTunes, although it's really a confederation of equals—aficionados will recognize the lineup as Miles Davis's second quintet, with Hubbard, whose virtuosity better matches that of the others, replacing Miles). It's a live double album featuring Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Ron Carter on bass, Tony Williams on drums, Herbie Hancock on keyboards, and Wayne Shorter on saxophone. A worthy addition to any post-bop jazz collection (the album is the one that starts with "One of a Kind" and features the debut of Ron Carter's famous "Third Plane").
Freddie Hubbard in Rochester, N.Y. in 1976 by Tom Marcello
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Mike
Featured Comment by Doug Howk: "'Red Clay' is my personal favorite of Freddie's. Along with Miles, he was a true innovator with his trumpet playing, as leader & composer. Its another sad day for lovers of the music that is Jazz."
Featured Comment by Howard French: "Another vote here for 'Red Clay.' Not only is FH in amazing form, as is Joe Henderson, maintaining a fantastic groove throughout, but Freddie somehow even manages to overcome Creed Taylor's production. The mere mention of this recording for me conjures long, hazy, head-nodding car rides with friends in the '70s."
Featured Comment by Huw: "Can I add Herbie Hancock's 'Maiden Voyage' to the list as one of Freddie's best recordings? And on a more straight-ahead note, 'The Body and the Soul' and 'The Artistry of Freddie Hubbard,' both on Impulse. Freddie Hubbard was one of those rare musicians who could make you laugh out loud with the sheer force of his playing. Fabulous."
Featured Comment by Ann Patterson: "I saw Freddie in the mid '80s on a VSOP reunion tour. I still remember it as one of the best concerts I've ever been to. An amazing artist."
I second the nomination of Freddie's work on Maiden Voyage. The phrasing is absolutely flawless. Every single note is perfect. The trumpet solo is what really makes the tune into an easy sail on a bright sunny day.
Posted by: farshore | Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 05:25 PM
Best Freddie Hubbard line in the NYT obit--
"keep your chops cool and don’t overblow"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/arts/music/30hubbard.html?hp
Posted by: David A. Goldfarb | Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 05:27 PM
I really appreciate your music news. Just one more reason why this is a daily read. Thank you.
Posted by: Bill Bresler | Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 05:27 PM
It is sad to see that yet another of the great jazz musicians has passed away. I enjoyed a concert with Freddie Hubbard at Molde International Jazz Festival 25 years ago.
On their website there is a funny story about the time Freddie H didn't want to leave Molde after the concert. (Google-translated from Norwegian)
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moldejazz.no%2F2003%2Findex.php%3Fpage_id%3D2097&sl=no&tl=en&history_state0=
Posted by: Geir Halvorsen | Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 05:27 PM
He was the first jazz musician I ever truly appreciated. He played on one of my favorite rock albums of all time (Billy Joel's 52nd St) and I was hooked.
A sad, sad day indeed.
Posted by: Clint | Tuesday, 30 December 2008 at 05:27 PM
Hubbard's version of "Here's That Rainy Day" on his Straight Life album is one of the most beautiful trumpet solos every recorded.
Posted by: David Glad Nelson | Thursday, 01 January 2009 at 07:03 PM
I'm a Freddie fan but find it ironic that I found out about his passing from a photography blog!
I think I'll put on "Hub-Tones" tonight.
Posted by: Jordan | Saturday, 03 January 2009 at 06:56 PM