Bobby Hutcherson Archives - JAZZ IMPRESSIONS

Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast – Episode 10

In our bumper anniversary 10th edition we pay tribute to two jazz giants: percussion legend James Mtume and vibes wizard Khan Jamal. But which route best connects them? Via the West Coast, or the astral plane? Dan travels through time and Ollie through space, on a cosmic journey that passes Philly, pharaohs and psychedelic beanies.

Thanks for indulging us for 10 episodes, and stay tuned for more astral traveling this year. Roads? Where we’re going, we only need Rhodes.

You can also find us on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!

Tracklists below (SPOILERS!)

Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast – Episode 2

Welcome back to Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast! In this Blue Note heavy episode, we discuss an underappreciated gem from master vibesman Bobby Hutcherson, the compositional talents of Joe Chambers, the lyrical side of Freddie Hubbard and the legacy of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Also, there’s a special guest appearance from a squeaky garage door trying to imitate Wayne Shorter.

Alternatively find us on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!

Tracklists below (SPOILERS!)

Grant Green – Lazy Afternoon

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Bobby Hutcherson’s genius graced some of Blue Note’s finest sessions, from McCoy Tyner’s Time for Tyner (1969) to Grant Green’s Street of Dreams (1967).

Bobby Hutcherson – Rosewood

For those who have been following our musical journey so far, the name Woody Shaw should sound familiar. A fantastic trumpeter and composer, we first encountered his compositional talents on Jackie McLean’s ‘Sweet Love Of Mine’ and more recently his contributions to the first draft of Andrew Hill’s album Grass Roots. Vibesman Bobby Hutcherson is also a frequent Jazz Impressions favourite and so it was only a matter of time until we’d end up meeting both Shaw and Hutcherson on the same record.

Archie Shepp – Le Matin des Noire

1965 was a busy year for the young Bobby Hutcherson, releasing his first album as leader (Blue Note’s Dialogue) and joining the Archie Shepp Quartet, a group at the vanguard of the “New Thing”. Free jazz relinquished the restrictions of song form in order to better express oneself musically, and for Shepp, politically.

Bobby Hutcherson – Black Heroes

Our last post explored We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite (1960), a pivotal work which set the blueprint for many protest records to follow. Bobby Hutcherson’s album Now!, released on Blue Note in 1970, was one of those records which continued to build on the powerful political and musical statement Roach had made ten years prior.

Bobby Hutcherson – Maiden Voyage

In his last post, Dan focussed on the fantastic track ‘Ghetto Lights’ from Bobby Hutcherson’s debut album as leader on Blue Note. Today’s post is another offering from the master of vibes, this time from his third album Happenings (1966) which saw him taking more of a commercial approach in comparison to his previous two albums which were much freer and avant-garde.

Bobby Hutcherson – Ghetto Lights

You just heard Roy Ayers filtered through the psychedelic prism of Madlib, which brings us to the warm and wonderful world of the vibraphone. One of the great masters of the mallets was Bobby Hutcherson, whose sonic and rhythmic sensibilities helped usher in a new era for legendary jazz label Blue Note.