Bobby Hutcherson
Biography
Bobby Hutcherson (1941-2016) was and continues to be one of the most prominent voices in jazz vibraphone playing. Inspired to pick up the instrument after hearing Milt Jackson’s playing on the Miles Davis All Stars, Vol. 2 record, he began his career in the 1950s working with Curtis Amy, Carmell Jones, Eric Dolphy, and Charles Lloyd. He made his recording debut with the Les McCann trio in 1960 for Pacific Jazz. Throughout his career he would become known for redefining the limits of vibraphone playing, showcasing his virtuosic soloing, percussive four-mallet groove, and innovative harmonies on the instrument. His first record as a leader, 1965’s Dialogue, demonstrates his foray into post-bop, including a band lineup of Freddie Hubbard, Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, and Joe Chambers. The year before he played a critical harmonic role on Eric Dolphy’s famous record Out To Lunch. Some of his more notable releases throughout his career would include Linger Lane (1975), Components (1994), Montara (1975), and Live At Montreux (1973).