Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008)

Legendary trumpeter Freddie Hubbard died yesterday in the early morning from complications of a heart attack suffered on November 26. Hubbard became an immensely influential figure in jazz during his long career, which got a kick start in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in the ’60s. Here are some links to some fine obits and other […]

December 30, 2008; 2:39 PM • by Dean Christesen

Here are some links to some fine obits and other posts around the web:

NPR All Things Considered and the New York Times both provide obituaries worth reading. Ethan Iverson gives 16 iconic Hubbard albums and other memories at Do The Math. Straight No Chaser briefly profiles the man and also looks back at others who passed in 2008. Jazz Wax features an in depth look at Hubbard’s career. Howard Mandel remembers Hubbard at Jazz Beyond Jazz.

[LATE ADDITIONS: Darcy James Argue gives a great obituary at Secret Society. Dave Douglas explains the mechanics of playing the trumpet and how Hubbard did it so well at Greenleaf Music.]

My picks of Freddie Hubbard recordings and solos: (linked tracks are available for listening at last.fm)

Yearnin’ – Oliver Nelson, The Blues and the Abstract Truth, Impulse!, 1961
Stolen Moments – Oliver Nelson, The Blues and the Abstract Truth, Impulse!, 1961
Caravan – Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Caravan, Riverside, 1962
The Core – Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Blue Note, 1964
Weaver of Dreams – Freddie Hubbard, Ready for Freddie, Blue Note, 1961
Birdlike – Freddie Hubbard, Ready for Freddie, Blue Note, 1961
Maiden Voyage – Herbie Hancock, Maiden Voyage, Blue Note, 1965
Speak No Evil – Wayne Shorter, Speak No Evil, Blue Note, 1965
Wild Flower – Wayne Shorter, Speak No Evil, Blue Note, 1965
Watermelon Man (Alt. Take) – Herbie Hancock, Takin’ Off, Blue Note, 1962
Aisha – John Coltrane, Ole Coltrane, Rhino/Atlantic, 1961
One Finger Snap – Herbie Hancock, Empyrean Isles, Blue Note, 1964
Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock, Empyrean Isles, Blue Note, 1964
Gazzelloni – Eric Dolphy, Out To Lunch, Blue Note, 1964
Angola – Wayne Shorter, The Soothsayer, Blue Note, 1965