Bobby Hutcherson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bobby Hutcherson
|
|
|---|---|
Hutcherson at the 2007 JazzBaltica Festival
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | January 27, 1941 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | August 15, 2016 (aged 75) Montara, California |
| Genres |
|
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1961–2016 |
Robert Hutcherson (born January 27, 1941 – died August 15, 2016) was an American jazz musician. He was famous for playing the vibraphone and marimba. One of his most well-known songs is "Little B's Poem." This song came from his 1966 album called Components. Bobby Hutcherson inspired many younger vibraphone players.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Bobby Hutcherson was born in Los Angeles, California. His father, Eli, was a master builder, and his mother, Esther, was a hairdresser. Bobby's older brother, Teddy, loved jazz music. He would listen to records by Art Blakey at home with his friend Dexter Gordon. Bobby's older sister, Peggy, was a singer. She performed in Gerald Wilson's orchestra. Bobby later recorded with Gerald Wilson's group too.
When Bobby was about 12 years old, he heard the famous musician Milt Jackson playing the vibraphone. This inspired Bobby to learn the instrument. He heard Jackson on the Miles Davis All Stars, Volume 2 album.
In the late 1950s, Bobby started his music career. He worked with musicians like Curtis Amy and Carmell Jones. He also played with Eric Dolphy and Charles Lloyd.
Starting His Recording Career
Bobby made his first recording on August 3, 1960. He recorded two songs with the Les McCann trio. These songs were released in 1961. Later that year, he recorded the album Groovin' Blue.
In January 1962, Bobby joined the Billy Mitchell–Al Grey group. They played at famous jazz clubs in San Francisco and New York City. After touring for a year, Bobby moved to New York City. He worked as a taxi driver for a short time. Then, his childhood friend, bassist Herbie Lewis, helped him get into the jazz scene.
Joining Blue Note Records
Herbie Lewis hosted jam sessions at his apartment. Grachan Moncur III, who played with Jackie McLean, heard Bobby play there. He thought Bobby would be a great fit for McLean's band. This led to Bobby's first recording for Blue Note Records on April 30, 1963. It was on McLean's album One Step Beyond.
After that, Bobby recorded many more sessions for Blue Note. He played with famous artists like Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, and Andrew Hill. He also recorded with Joe Henderson and Lee Morgan.
Bobby's first album as a leader for Blue Note was The Kicker. It was recorded in 1963 but released much later. This album showed his strong background in hard bop and the blues.
In 1964, Bobby won an award for "Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition." Blue Note released his album Dialogue in 1965. Bobby Hutcherson had one of the longest recording careers with Blue Note Records.
Moving Back West
Bobby Hutcherson later moved back to the West Coast. There, he started an important partnership with Harold Land. They recorded seven albums together for Blue Note. These albums featured different pianists like Chick Corea and Joe Sample.
The Hutcherson-Land group broke up in 1971. In the same year, Bobby was named "World's Best Vibist" in a big jazz poll. After releasing a few more albums, Bobby recorded for Columbia Records in the late 1970s.
In the early 1980s, Land and Hutcherson played together again. They formed a group called the "Timeless All Stars." This group recorded four albums. Bobby also released eight solo albums for Landmark Records from the 1980s to the early 1990s. He continued to play as a sideman for many other artists.
Later Years and Awards
In 2004, Bobby Hutcherson became a founding member of the SFJAZZ Collective. This group included other great musicians like Joshua Redman and Nicholas Payton. He toured with them for four years.
In 2010, Bobby received a very special award. He was given the lifetime Jazz Master Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This is one of the highest honors for jazz musicians. He continued to perform and record. In 2014, he released the album Enjoy the View with Blue Note Records.
Acting Career
Bobby Hutcherson also had a few acting roles. He appeared as the bandleader in the movie They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969). He also played the character Ace in the film Round Midnight (1986).
Personal Life
Bobby Hutcherson had a son named Barry from his first marriage. Bobby wrote the song "Little B's Poem" for Barry in 1962.
In 1972, Bobby married Rosemary Zuniga. They had a son named Teddy. Bobby built a house in Montara, California, where he lived. He passed away in Montara, California, on August 15, 2016.
Discography
See also
In Spanish: Bobby Hutcherson para niños
