David "Fathead" Newman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David "Fathead" Newman
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Newman at the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver
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| Background information | |
| Born | February 24, 1933 Corsicana, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | January 20, 2009 (aged 75) Kingston, New York, U.S. |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Saxophone, flute |
| Labels | Atlantic, Prestige, Riverside |
| Associated acts | Ray Charles, Herbie Mann, Stanley Turrentine |
David "Fathead" Newman was an amazing American musician. He was born on February 24, 1933, and passed away on January 20, 2009. He was best known for playing the saxophone, especially in jazz and rhythm-and-blues music.
Many people remember him for his work with the famous singer and pianist Ray Charles. David Newman played on many of Ray Charles's hit songs in the 1950s and early 1960s. He also recorded many albums as a band leader and played with many other great artists.
Music experts say that David "Fathead" Newman was one of the most "soulful" saxophonists and flutists ever. He was a master of the "Texas Tenor" saxophone style. This style uses a big, bluesy sound, and many jazz players from Texas were known for it.
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Early Life and His Nickname
David Newman was born in Corsicana, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in Dallas. When he was young, he first learned to play the piano. Later, he switched to the saxophone.
He got his famous nickname "Fathead" when he was in school. One day, his music teacher caught him playing a song from memory. The sheet music was even upside down on the stand! The teacher was surprised and used the name "Fathead" for him.
When he was in seventh grade, David was inspired by a bandleader named Louis Jordan. He decided to play the alto saxophone. A famous saxophonist named Buster Smith, who used to play with Count Basie, helped him learn. David went to college on a music scholarship. But after three years, he left school to become a professional musician.
His Music Career
David Newman started his career playing jazz and blues music. He played with many musicians, including Buster Smith and guitarists Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker.
Playing with Ray Charles
David Newman met Ray Charles in 1951. Ray Charles was playing piano and singing with Lowell Fulson's band at the time. In 1954, David joined Ray Charles's band. He first played the baritone saxophone. Later, he became the main saxophone player for Ray Charles.
David Newman's saxophone solos were a very important part of many of Ray Charles's hit songs. These songs include "Lonely Avenue," "Swanee River Rock," and "Unchain My Heart." Even though his solos were short, they helped create the special "Ray Charles sound."
Ray Charles himself said that David Newman "could make his sax sing the song like no one else." David Newman once joked that he became famous for playing short solos!
In 1959, David Newman released his first album as a band leader. It was called Fathead: Ray Charles Presents David Newman. Ray Charles even played piano on the album. David stayed with Ray Charles's band until 1964. He also rejoined them for a short time in 1970–1971.
Later Music Work
After leaving Ray Charles's band, David Newman continued to make music. He played with Herbie Mann's band and recorded many albums. He also played on recordings for many other famous artists. These included Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Joe Cocker, and Natalie Cole. He played on Natalie Cole's famous Unforgettable album.
David Newman also worked on movies. He helped score films and even appeared in the movie Kansas City in 1996. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1990 for his recordings with Art Blakey and Dr. John.
Over his career, David Newman recorded more than 38 albums under his own name. He also played R&B and blues music. He performed with many other musicians like Stanley Turrentine, Eric Clapton, and Queen Latifah. A famous trumpeter named Roy Hargrove said that hearing David Newman play jazz inspired him when he was in high school.
His Personal Life
In the 2004 movie Ray, which was about Ray Charles, David Newman was played by actor Bokeem Woodbine. David Newman thought the actor did a good job, but he felt that some parts of the movie about him were not quite accurate.
David Newman passed away in Kingston, New York, on January 20, 2009. He was 75 years old and had pancreatic cancer.
Selected Discography
David "Fathead" Newman released many albums as a leader. Here are a few:
- Fathead: Ray Charles Presents David 'Fathead' Newman (1958)
- The Sound of the Wide Open Spaces!!!! (1960)
- Straight Ahead (1961)
- Lonely Avenue (1972)
- I Remember Brother Ray (2005)
He also played as a sideman (a supporting musician) on many albums for other artists, including:
- Ray Charles
- Hank Crawford
- B.B. King
- Herbie Mann
- Jimmy McGriff
- Lonnie Smith
See also
In Spanish: David "Fathead" Newman para niños
