Gravy and Biscuits

Jazz Legend Freddie Hubbard Dies at 70

Posted by Jebbica in Monday, December 29th 2008

Jazz legend Freddie Hubbard passed away in Sherman Oaks Hospital this morning (December 29) in Sherman Oaks California at the age of 70. The cause of death was complications of a heart attack he suffered on November 26.

David Weiss, his longtime manager, arranger and producer who also organized and played trumpet in Hubbard’s last band, The New Jazz Composers Octet, recalls “He played faster, longer, higher and with more energy than any other trumpeter of his era.”

The fiery trumpeter, composer and NEA Jazz Master defined the 1960’s. No other trumpeter played and impacted the music in so many far-reaching and innovative projects. He played with artists John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Bobby Hutcherson, Oliver Nelson, Andrew Hill, Eric Dolphy, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner and countless others. Hubbard also recorded on over 300 albums as a leader and sideman with an imposing solo legacy on the storied labels, Impulse!, Blue Note, Atlantic and CTI Records where he had his biggest success with the album Red Clay. He later recorded for Columbia, Elektra, MPS, Music Masters, Telarc, Enja and Hip Bop Records where he made his final album, On the Real Side, released June 24, 2008.

Frederick DeWayne Hubbard (born April 7, 1938) in Indianapolis is survived by his wife of 35 years, Briggie Hubbard and his son Duane. Funeral services are pending. A memorial tribute in New York will be planned in the new year.

RIP, Freddie. You will be missed!