Freddie Hubbard: Gifted Jazz Musician Dies 1938-2008 (Photos, Video)

Posted on: December 30th, 2008 by: Meg0 comments

Freddie Hubbard

1938-2008

Famed jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles, was a talented musician and band leader. His long time manager Dave Weiss has issued a statement indicating that Hubbard died at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles at age 70, after suffering a heart attack on November 26.

Frederick DeWayne Hubbard was born in Indianapolis in 1938, the youngest of six kids in a musical family. He took up the trumpet in Jr. High but also played piano, French horn and tuba among other instruments.

He headed to New York City in 1958 at age 20 and immediately became known as one of the important new jazz arrivals. He began working with Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Philly Joe Jones, Slide Hampton, Sonny Rollins and Quincy Jones, earning a prestigious Down Beat Critics Poll Award.

He gravitated to pop and rock in the 70’s and 80’s, resettling in the San Fernando Valley of L.A. He struggled in 1992 when he suffered a serious split lip that threatened his ability to articulate his instrument. Hubbard received the highest jazz honor in 2006 when he was awarded the Jazz Masters Award by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Freddie Hubbard is survived by his wife of 35 years Briggie Hubbard and a son Duane Hubbard.

Check out photos and a video recording from 1962 of Freddie Hubbard with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers performing Moanin’ below.