Jazz for aficionados
Strateahed, they will be missed very much by me; both artists are heavily represented in my collection, and I go back as far as I can remember with Toots Thielemans. I can only imagine what it was like to see Bobby Hutcherson perform; and you have memories of seeing him live, that means that every time you play something you actually saw him perform, you can recall that memory so much more vividly, and relive that moment when you were with him. Enjoy their music. |
Bobby Hutcherson, born January 17 1941, died August 15 2016; was one of the finest players of the vibraphone. He was born in Los Angeles, and brought up in Pasedena. He was so impressed by Milt Jackson at age 12 that he began to save up to buy a vibraphone. He appears on Jackie McLean’s One Step Beyond (1963), and Tony Williams’s Lifetime (1964). This is followed by albums, many regarded as classics, such as Eric Dolphy’s "Out To Lunch" (1964) and his own "Stick Up" (1966), with McCoy Tyner and Joe Henderson. He was also a founder member of the San Francisco-based SF Jazz Collective, formed in 2004. This was a truly all-star outfit, including saxophonist Joshua Redman, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and pianist Renee Rosnes, which received rave notices when it appeared at the Barbican in 2006. In 2007, Hutcherson began to suffer from emphysema. This developed to the point where he was obliged to carry an oxygen supply with him wherever he went. He was my favorite vibraphonist next to Milt Jackson; but in 1971 he was named “World’s Best Vibist” in the International Jazz Critics’ Poll. Although I never thought about it, during the period of time from 1971, until his death, Bobby Hutcherson was my favorite vibraphonist. Enjoy his music. |
Orpheus10, thanks for the additional information and commentary. Always grateful for your contributions and insight. This thing called jazz needs folks who are real students of the art. And you are so right ... it has special meaning to play something I saw Bobby perform. He was also pretty much of a regular guy. There was an occasion when he finished a set at the Oakland Arts & Jazz Fest and there was Bobby, chattin' it up with a few young, up-and-coming aficionados, signing vintage albums. Kinda makes me sad right about now, but still great memories. Enjoy the music. |
Strateahead, I personally know how much we cherish those moments spent in the company of those musicians we hold in such high esteem; to sit at the bar and chat with one after the set. Almost all the musicians I've spent that kind of time with are dead, except one; Frank Gant, he's still around. He was in Chicago with Ahmad Jamal when I saw him, and we sat at the bar after the set and chatted about jazz. He was as regular as any of your best friends. What I never forget about these jazz musicians, is how much "God Given" talent they have; no amount of schooling could get you to where they were. From now on, when I play Bobby Hutcherson, I'll think of him as one of Strateahead's friends. Enjoy the music. |
Toots Thielemans died two days ago; he died in his sleep in Brussels. He was 94. That's a cool age and way to go out; since we all got to go, I choose to nod off and wake up on the other side, just like Toots. He began his professional career as a guitar player. (I didn't know that, did you?) He was inspired by Charley Parker and Dizzy Gillespie to return to the chromatic harmonica. He was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in the U.S., and a baron by the king of Belgium. And he only retired from performing at the age of 92. Out of the many things "Toots" has done, this is my favorite work by him, and I read somewhere that it's also his. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ESLJebaWyU&list=PL5E4E5F9B94347A1F Love you Toots ! I will enjoy his music today. |
