Jazz great Freddie Hubbard dead at 70

Tags

African American, Freddie Hubbard, Jazz, Trumpet

Freddie Hubbard

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Grammy-winning jazz musician Freddie Hubbard, whose style influenced a generation of trumpet players, has died at age 70.

Hubbard’s manager, David Weiss, says the musician died Monday at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles. He had been hospitalized since suffering a heart attack last month.

Although he had been in declining health in recent years, Hubbard continued to perform until just a few months ago. Known for both the intensity of his playing, as well as his melodic style, Hubbard’s last concert was in June in New York at a party celebrating the release of his final album.

He won a Grammy in 1972 for best jazz performance by a group for the album “First Light.” ~ AP/John Rogers

Visit, freddiehubbardfans.com …

Cassandra Wilson | New Moon Daughter

Tags

African American, Female Jazz vocalist, Jazz

Cassandra Wilson

Cassandra Wilson | New Moon Daughter [Blue Note Records/Classic/1996]

Her luscious alto has the depth and texture of a great tenor saxophonist, but Cassandra Wilson’s defining asset is a postmodern song sense that enables her to surf through Son House, Neil Young, Johnny Mercer, Billie Holiday, and (gasp!) the Monkees in pursuit of strong songs that can provide that instrument with a canvas. Her second Blue Note album extends Wilson’s seductive pilgrimage beyond the conventions of jazz repertoire and accompaniment, yet it’s her instincts as a jazz singer that inform these brilliant readings. The settings again step away from traditional small group jazz (for starters, there’s no piano) to evoke the emotional core of these songs. Anyone who can turn the Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville” into a slow-burning erotic vignette deserves your attention. ~ Amazon.com/Sam Sutherland

Rene Dickerson | Jazz Trio in Blue and Orange

Tags

African American, Art, Culture, Female Artists, Rene Dickerson

We’re delighted to share with you this week the renowned artistry of Rene Dickerson as our last feature for 2008.

A Love affair with a brush and canvas is the best way to create has led him down a road filled with shapes and color that hold the world captivated. Rene has a body of work that spans four decades with various awards and accolades from the art industry and collectors. ~ Grandpasart.com

Rene Dickerson | Jazz Trio in Blue and Orange [Giclee/Limited Edition]

Bob James Trio | Mind Games

Tags

Bob James, Jazz, Piano

The quintessential Bob James, Billy Kilson and James Genus where caught live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 1998 performing “Mind Games.”

Bob James Trio | Mind Games [Vid of The Week] Ironically, embedding of this video was disabled by request. Nevertheless, it’s worth the click to check them out.

Bob James

Benny Reid | Findings

Tags

Benny Reid, Contemporary Jazz, Jazz, Saxophone

Benny Reid

Benny Reid | Findings [Review/Concord Music]

At twenty-six years old, alto saxophonist [keyboardist/vocals] and composer New Jersey native Benny Reid bursts onto the music scene with one of the brightest offerings of 2007 on his Concord Jazz debut titled “Findings.” While some jazz enthusiasts might argue that he’s straddling the fence with one foot on the smooth turf while the other is steeped in the musings of authentic jazz territory.

At a glimpse, you might find yourself a little distraught at the number of tracks (6) offered on the disc. Fear not. Because there’s over fifty minutes of incredible gems with extremely long track times. You’ll find Reid’s debut quite attractive in the way it beckons you with each note as his bright yet simplistic shades and colors of his alto horn soars with consistency throughout.