Jazz Legend Freddie Hubbard Dies

Posted on Dec 30th 2008 11:00AM by John D. Luerssen
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Accomplished jazz musician Freddie Hubbard died Monday at California's Sherman Oaks Hospital. The master trumpeter succumbed from complications that stemmed from the heart attack he suffered on November 26. He was 70.

Hubbard dazzled audiences and critics alike as a sideman for the likes of Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Art Blakey, and later as a band leader in his own right. He attracted attention in the 1960s for his superlative work as a member of the Jazz Messengers, the valuable training ground for young musicians led by drummer Blakey.

In addition, Hubbard was acclaimed for his '60s avant garde efforts, including Eric Dolphy's 'Out to Lunch,' John Coltrane's 'Ascension' and Ornette Coleman's masterful group improvisation 'Free Jazz.' Hubbard's 1970s soul-jazz accomplishments included 'Red Clay' and 'Straight Life,' which courted a wider audience with elements of pop, rock and funk.

Sadly, Hubbard's career was derailed in 1992 when he damaged his lip. Although he resumed performing and recording after a lengthy hiatus, he was no longer the powerful player that he had been in his prime.

Dearly Departed Musicians

Freddie Hubbard, Dec. 29: The 'hard bop' jazz trumpet legend who worked with greats like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Art Blakey during his prime died more than a month after suffering a heart attack on Nov. 20. He was 70 years old.

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Delaney Bramlett, Dec. 27: The accomplished singer, songwriter and producer to such stars as George Harrison and Eric Clapton died at the age of 69 after complications from gallbladder surgery. He's seen here (right) in 1970 with Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia (left).

Eartha Kitt, Dec. 25: The sultry 'Santa Baby' songstress who went on to have a long career in music, movies and on stage died on Christmas day after a long battle with colon cancer.

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Davy Graham, Dec. 15: The folk singer known and respected across the music world for his nimble fingers and innovative use of tuning, died from a seizure in his London home. He was 68, and also had a long battle lung cancer.

Chris Mills, Redferns / Retna

Odetta, Date Unknown: The singer who became intertwined with the civil rights movement and sang during the 1963 march on Washington died of what her manager says was a heart attack. She was 77.

Ralph Joseph "Jody" Reynolds, Nov. 7: The rockabilly singer, whose lone Top 10 hit 'Endless Sleep' ushered in a wave of similar songs about teens and tragedy in the late 1950s, died of liver cancer. He was 75.

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Mitch Mitchell, Nov. 12: The rock durmmer, left, and last surviving member of the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience, was found dead of apparent natural causes in a Portland hotel room at age 61. The leader of the band overdosed in 1970, while bassist Noel Redding, right, died in 2003.

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Miriam Makeba, Nov. 10: THe South African singing legend who was banned from her own country for more than 30 years under apartheid died from a heart attack after collapsing on stage in Italy. She was 76.

Shakir Stewart, Nov. 1: The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. Police say he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 34 years old.

Merl Saunders, Oct. 24: The rock and jazz keyboardist who recorded albums with music titans like The Grateful Dead and Miles Davis, died at the age of 74 after complications from a stroke.

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