Freddie Hubbard: Health

Easily one of my favorite fusion records of the ‘70s, In Concert displays Freddie Hubbard and Stanley Turrentine backed by Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Eric Gale and Jack DeJohnette. I can’t say that the two tunes, each takes up a side on the record, are drastically different or forward thinking in comparison to other such releases of the time. They’re just good. And sometimes competence goes a long way.

The line-up alone was reason enough to pick it up, but the frequent listening is as a result of the ability of Hubbard and company to hold a groove down.

Unfortunately, like a number of other aging jazz players, Hubbard has seen his fare share of illness. At the age of 70, it’s admirable that he’s still playing and releasing albums. And even if some of those efforts don’t favorably compare to his output during the ‘60s and ‘70s, no one should expect them to.

But last week, Hubbard apparently had some major problems. There was speculation that he was in a coma. A few days after that report was posted, a comment from David Weiss cleared up what had occurred. His statement is comforting in some ways, like the fact that Hubbard’s coma was induced by doctors. But the fact that that step was necessary is a little bit disconcerting. Weiss goes on to say that Hubbard “has a ways to go.”

In the least, Weiss is being realistic, but all concerned – fans included – surely wish Hubbard all the best and a speedy recovery.