Pribek

Freddie Hubbard has a new record, “On the Real Side”.

Over the years, I have listened to Freddie a lot. He was always known as a guy that played harder, faster, higher and longer than other trumpet players. A player’s player. To me though, it never just about virtuosity with Freddie Hubbard, I think he’s a very musical guy.

I did not realize that the reason Freddie was absent from the scene was a case of “chop trouble”. And, due to my continuing experience with M.S. and my own chop trouble, I’m always interested in hearing how a musician, who has lost some facility, has figured out how to deal with it.

Decades of Herculean trumpet work have taken their toll on Freddie’s chops. In late 1992 his top lip popped and later became infected. A biopsy was taken and cancer was ruled out, but Hubbard was left with upper lip tissue so sore he was unable to play with the same slashing attack and killer abandon he was famous for. “It’s really something when you lose your chops like that, “ says Hubbard. “You feel like a motherless child. You can’t do it like you used to. But now I’m at that age when I have to think more about what I’m going play instead of just running all over the horn. You gotta play with your soul instead of your chops.”…

Back in the day, I used to just pick up it up and start blowing like crazy. But I’ve learned that the trumpet is like a car in the winter. You can’t just jump in it and drive off. You gotta warm it up first.”

Good stuff there Mr. Hubbard. Actually good advice for any musician.

I also found this site, that has some great Freddie Hubbard quotes as well as a discography that covers his remarkable recording career extensively. It’s where I found this applicable gem.

I quit drinking, so I can think clear. When you have chop trouble, drinking doesn’t help the healing process.
Freddie Hubbard

Good to see you are still in the game Freddie, I’m and looking forward to hearing you “play with your soul”.