Hubbard was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and associated in his youth with various musicians in Indianapolis, including Wes Montgomery and Montgomery's brothers. Chet Baker was an early influence, although Hubbard soon aligned himself with the approach of Clifford Brown (and his forebears: Fats Navarro and Dizzy Gillespie).
Hubbard's jazz career began in earnest after moving to New York City in 1958. While there, he worked with Sonny Rollins, Slide Hampton, J. J. Johnson, Philly Joe Jones, Oliver Nelson, and Quincy Jones, among others. He gained attention while playing with the seminal hard bop ensemble Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, appearing on such albums as Mosaic, Buhaina's Delight, and Free For All. He left the Messengers in 1964 to lead his own groups and from that time maintained a high profile as a bandleader or featured as a special guest, but never merely a sideman.
Along with two other trumpeters also born in 1938, Lee Morgan (d. 1971) and Booker Little (d. 1961), Hubbard exerted a strong force on the direction of 1960s jazz. He recorded extensively for Blue Note Records: eight albums as a bandleader, and twenty-eight as a sideman. Most of these recordings are regarded as classics. Hubbard appeared on a few early avant-garde landmarks (Ornette Coleman's Free Jazz, Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch and John Coltrane's Ascension), but Hubbard never fully embraced free jazz, though it did influence his playing.
After leaving Blue Note, Hubbard recorded for the Atlantic label and moved toward a more commercial style. His next label was CTI Records where he recorded his best-known works, Red Clay, First Light, and Sky Dive. By 1970, his fiery, melodic improvisation and phenomenal technique established him as perhaps the leading trumpeter of his day, but a series of commercially oriented smooth jazz albums spawned some negative criticism. After signing with Columbia Records, Hubbard's albums were almost exclusively in a commercial vein. However, in 1976, Hubbard toured and recorded with V.S.O.P., led by Herbie Hancock which presented unadulterated jazz in the style of the 1960s Miles Davis Quintet (with Hubbard taking the place of Davis).
1980s projects moved between straight-ahead and commercial styles, and Hubbard recorded for several different labels including Atlantic, Pablo, Fantasy, Elektra/Musician, and the revived Blue Note label. The slightly younger Woody Shaw was Hubbard's main jazz competitor during the 1970s and 1980s, and the two eventually recorded together on three occasions. Hubbard participated in the short-lived Griffith Park Collective, which also included Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White.
Following a long setback of health problems and a serious lip injury in 1992, Hubbard played and recorded occasionally, but not at the high level that he set for himself during his earlier career.
On December 29, 2008, Hubbard's hometown newspaper, Hubbard died from complications from a heart attack suffered on November 26 of the same year.
But Beautiful
Freddie Hubbard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or it's quiet or it's mad;
It's a good thing or it's bad,
But beautiful!
Beautiful to take a chance
And if you fall, you fall,
And I'm thinking I wouldn't mind at all.
It's a problem or it's play,
It's a heartache either way,
But beautiful!
And I'm thinking if you were mine
I'd never let you go,
And that would be but beautiful I know.
The lyrics of Freddie Hubbard's song But Beautiful are a reflection on the complex and often contradictory nature of love. The opening lines, "Love is funny or it's sad, Or it's quiet or it's mad," suggest that love can take many forms and elicit a wide range of emotions. The singer acknowledges that love can be both good and bad, and recognizes its power to inspire both joy and heartache. Despite the difficulties that love can bring, the singer asserts that it is still a beautiful thing.
The second verse of the song continues to explore the complexities of love. The singer notes that love can be both tearful and gay, problematic and playful, and always a potential source of heartache. Nevertheless, the singer imagines what it would be like to be in love with someone who is worth the risks and challenges. The line "And I'm thinking if you were mine, I'd never let you go" suggests a deep and abiding commitment to the person they love.
Overall, But Beautiful is a contemplative song that acknowledges the ups and downs of love, while still finding beauty in its uncertainties and challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Love is funny or it's sad,
Love can evoke different emotions in individuals, it can be joyful or sorrowful.
Or it's quiet or it's mad;
Love can either be calm or intense.
It's a good thing or it's bad,
Depending on the circumstances, love can have positive or negative outcomes.
But beautiful!
Despite the ups and downs of love, it remains a beautiful concept.
Beautiful to take a chance
Taking a risk in love can be a beautiful thing.
And if you fall, you fall,
When taking a chance in love, there is always the possibility of failure.
And I'm thinking I wouldn't mind at all.
The possibility of failure doesn't discourage the singer from taking a chance in love.
Love is tearful or it's gay.
Love can bring both sadness and happiness.
It's a problem or it's play,
Love can be a source of worry or amusement.
It's a heartache either way,
Love can cause pain and grief.
But beautiful!
Despite the heartache, love remains a beautiful experience.
And I'm thinking if you were mine
The singer is thinking about their romantic interest.
I'd never let you go,
The singer never wants to lose their romantic interest.
And that would be but beautiful I know.
Holding onto someone they love would be a beautiful thing for the singer.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheDrFunkenstein
This song was the first time i've ever heard Freddie Hubbard. What a magical song.
Francesco Damiani
Strictly the melody...and he still touch your heart and your soul, so deeply...Thanks Mr. Hubbard to explain to the world what the jazz is.
Gwynneth Hughes
So magical Freddie. Such impeccable control enhances this beautiful. Mark Walker has just played it on Dinner Jazz and it certainly was the highlight of the whole programme. Thank you Freddie
custardapple777
Thanks very much. Awesome solos from all. It was nice of Hubbard to solo last, who would want to follow such a wonderful solo ? I am also pleased that you have introduced me to Tina Brooks.
George Doughly
I Love this Gorgeous song! Open Sesame is a Masterpiece JAZZ Album!
Gwynneth Hughes
Thanks again Freddie I listen often to this rendition and always feel I have to comment. But Beautiful so sublime.
Alexandra De Castro
Beautiful, beautiful ❤️
He played in Portugal several times, including in my home town, Óbidos. Blessing ♥️
luv mifro
Melt my heart 💖
Gwynneth Hughes
Didn't hear any wrong notes from McBride it is all perfect to my ear
Gwynneth Hughes
I wish I could send it to the whole world💋