Freddie Hubbard died on Monday aged 70. He was one of the finest and most influential jazz trumpeters of his age during a career that spanned half a century.
Although most at home in the genre of hard bop, in which he made his name in the 1960s, Hubbard was never afraid to experiment – he collaborated with, among others, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins – and in the 1970s he moved into rock-influenced fusion and later funk before finally returning to his roots.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival is losing its main corporate sponsor, with General Motors of Canada calling it quits after the 30th edition of the festival next July.
GM is in the midst of a five-year agreement with the festival that saw it contribute an estimated $2.5 million annually towards the event’s $25-million budget. The agreement expires next summer. The automaker has sponsored the event for 10 years in total, and has been associated with several important elements of the festival, including the main outdoor stage and the General Motors Grand Jazz Award given to the best Canadian jazz band.
Jazz.FM is swinging into the holiday season with a “Cool Yule” web radio stream. So grab your egg nog, sit back, and get your christmas cheer on Jazz.FM style.
Listen here.
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Freddie Hubbard died on Monday aged 70. He was one of the finest and most influential jazz trumpeters of his age during a career that spanned half a century.