Skip to main content

Essential Tracks: "Blue Spirits" Album: "Blue Spirits", Freddie Hubbard, 1966

Essential tracks highlights tracks that arguably should be found somewhere in any serious jazz collector's library. This segment is also meant to inspire readers to seek out foundational tracks from the various sub-genres of this great music.

"Blue Spirits" title track from his 1966 Blue Note release




This was Hubbard's the last of a series releases on Blue Note from the early 60's. This has the feel and sound of what should have become a standard, but somehow didn't. The horn arrangement on the title track is particularly noteworthy for it's density and harmonics. Most recently, this track showed up on a Jazzanova release: "Blue Note Trip: Looking Back", a collection of standout tracks from the label that didn't necessarily make the mainstream.  

Personnel on "Blue Spirits" besides Hubbard: Hank Mobley - tenor, James Spaulding - alto and flute, McCoy Tyner - piano, Bob Cranshaw - bass, Pete LaRoca - drums, Kiane Zawadi - euphonium
#Jazz

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

66th Monterey Jazz Festival - Part 2, New Discoveries

Festivals offer the opportunity to see a variety of artists, within a short period of time, and frequently at the same venue. The Monterey Jazz Festival is one of that presents a well crafted mix ranging from established legends of the music to local fan favorites. Each year I especially look forward to hearing emerging artists that have either been part of groups or recordings from headliners and legends, composing and producing for other artists, part of a collective of artists involved with a variety of collaborations, or, stepping out on their own as a leader. The artist list for the 66th Monterey Jazz Festival is filled with artists I'm very familiar with and plan to hear their latest work. It also contains quite a few I've either heard on other artist's recordings, read about a number of times, heard their current recordings, or are just plain curious about. I know the pattern well. These artists that are less familiar to the festival audience at large frequently find...

68th Monterey Jazz Festival Preview

The 67th Monterey Jazz Festival presented a dynamic musical celebration of jazz which respected traditional music while embracing modern creative approaches. The 2024 festival at the Monterey County Fairgrounds presented Herbie Hancock and Dianne Reeves alongside Samara Joy and Immanuel Wilkins and DOMi & JD Beck in outstanding performances. The festival maintained its inclusive programming and intimate setting which allowed jazz fans from different generations to unite through music. The festival paid tribute to Wayne Shorter through a tribute performance while Terri Lyne Carrington led a jam session between different generations of musicians and the Garden Stage hosted late-night performances that kept audiences dancing until the sun went down. Image Gallery from the 67TH Monterey Jazz Festival The 68th Monterey Jazz Festival scheduled for September 26–28, 2025 will uphold its tradition by presenting a combination of exceptional artistic performances and innovative musical approa...

68th Monterey Jazz Festival: A Weekend to Remember

  After all these years, walking through the gates of the Monterey Fairgrounds still gives me chills. There’s something about the mix of salty coastal air, the smell of food stands, the low hum of people tuning up instruments, and the memories of the many "Monterey Moments" of legendary performances. The 68th Monterey Jazz Festival (Sept. 26–28, 2025) brought all the familiar magic — great music, good vibes, and that sense that you’re part of something much bigger than just a weekend of concerts. Friday: The Return of Dizzy’s Den and a Night of Legends Friday kicked off with a beautiful bit of symmetry — a father-and-son duo , John and Gerald Clayton , reopening Dizzy’s Den , which had been closed since the pandemic. That room has always been one of Monterey’s most intimate spaces. The Claytons filled it with warmth and soul. It felt like a reunion — not just for the music, but for everyone who’s missed those small-room moments that make Monterey special. Later that even...