Jazz HOF

Jazz Hall of Fame

Freddie Hubbard

1938 – 2008

Jazz trumpet, flugelhorn, mellophone

One of my favorite jazz trumpet players. Like my jazz trumpeter brother, Bob Taylor, Freddie was born to improvise with limitless ideas. So smoothly unpredictable, melodic and rhythmic. As a horn player, he had the ability to play like a drummer. He played within himself, which I think was his strength. Energy and joy emanated from his horn.

Freddie played with giants like John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter, Elvin Jones and even Elton John, to name a few.

My father, Bob, and I were able to hear him live in the 70’s at the Lighthouse in Redondo Beach, CA (“Concerts by the Sea”). Unforgettable.

Listen to: Up Jumped Spring from the album Backlash (1967) – Freddie Hubbard, trumpet, flugelhorn; James Spaulding, flute, alto saxophone; Albert Dailey, piano; Bob Cunningham, bass; Otis Ray Appleton, drums.

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– John

Elvin Jones

1927 – 2004

Jazz drummer

So unconventional and rhythmically intense, Elvin was thoroughly unique.

Younger brother of Hank and Thad Jones, Elvin played with Miles Davis, John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner. At age 2 he said he had a fascination for drums.

I bought albums with Elvin as the drummer and marveled at his independent coordination and overall fluidity. He was recklessly primal and inventive with feel and time.

Listen to: Sound Down from the album Outback (1972) – Joe Farrell, alto sax; Buster Williams, bass; Chick Corea, electric piano; Elvin Jones, drums.

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– John

McCoy Tyner

1938 – 2020

Jazz piano

Instantly recognizable by his modal playing and his aggressive style of weaving chords and rhythms, McCoy Tyner set an inimitable standard.

Unlike many of the jazz keyboardists of his generation, Tyner very rarely incorporated electric keyboards or synthesizers into his work. Tyner has been widely imitated, and is one of the most influential jazz pianists of all time.

Tyner performs with Tony Williams power. Always one of my favorite pianists to jam along with as a drummer with his CDs.

Listen to: Inner Glimpse (1986) – McCoy Tyner (solo at 6:20), piano Freddie Hubbard, trumpet; Joe Henderson, tenor sax; Avery Sharpe, bass; Louis Hayes, drums.

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– John

Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra

1965 – 1978

Jazz Orchestra

You can’t have one without the other. According to Wikipedia: “The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra was arguably the most influential big band since the swing era.”

A group of us from the BYU Synthesis Jazz Ensemble attended a Thad Jones/Mel Lewis concert at the Hotel Utah in spring of 1978. It was indeed a memorable concert. Everyone in the band could solo and the compositions were so original, so fresh. Mel drove the band freely and strongly.

The band – so loose, so tight. Marvelous music. Mel with his full-impact, trash-can sounding China crash cymbals…

Listen to: Cherry Juice (1976) and Greetings and Salutations  (1975) – Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra.

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– John

Joe LaBarbera

Drummer

A masterfully tasty and musical drummer.

Ever since Joe played with the Chuck Mangione orchestra in the 70s, he has captured my respect as one of the all time greats, combining a highly creative approach to soloing with pure fluidity of motion and style. He puts on a clinic every time he plays.

Listen to: Land of Make Believe (1973) and playing with Bill Evans (1980).

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– John