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.
Caravan
Freddie Hubbard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The myst'ry of their fading light
That shines upon our caravan
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sand so I may keep
The mem'ry of our caravan
You are so inviting
Resting in my arms
As I thrill to the magic charms
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
My dream of love is coming true
Within our desert caravan
The song "Caravan" by Freddie Hubbard is an iconic jazz standard that was composed by Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington in 1936. The song's lyrics describe a journey across a desert in a caravan, under the stars and the mystery of their fading light. The singer invites their partner to rest upon their shoulder as they make their way through the sand, creating a beautiful memory that will last forever. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and infused with romance, excitement, and adventure, which the singer expresses in his/her voice.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses his/her feelings of excitement and passion towards their partner, who is resting in their arms. The singer is captivated by the magical charms of their partner, who is beside them beneath the blue sky. The singer's dream of love is coming true, and they sing about how their love is blossoming within the desert caravan. The song exudes a dream-like quality that is evocative of a perfect romantic journey, and the lyrics capture the essence of passion, love, and adventure.
In conclusion, the song "Caravan" by Freddie Hubbard is a timeless classic that captures the heart and soul of jazz music. The song's lyrics are beautifully crafted and express the beauty of a journey within a desert caravan, creating an everlasting memory of love and passion. The song is a testimony to Freddie Hubbard's mastery of jazz and his ability to create music that resonates with people across generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Night and stars above that shine so bright
The beauty of the sky and the stars that sparkle intensely in the night
The myst'ry of their fading light
The inexplicable disappearing of that light, which adds to the sense of wonder and awe
That shines upon our caravan
The light, from the above discussed stars, illuminating the caravan and giving it a whimsical, mysterious touch
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
The feeling of being close and intimate with someone while slowly and carefully travelling through a desert
Across the sand so I may keep
The need to preserve and cherish the moment and experience, in order to make sure it lasts even after it's gone
The mem'ry of our caravan
The desire to keep the memories of the journey, the emotions and the impressions, forever present
This is so exciting
The overwhelming feeling of adventure and enthusiasm, shared with someone special
You are so inviting
The attractiveness and excitement that the person next to them generates, making the journey even more wonderful
Resting in my arms
The coziness, protection and sense of mutual dependence that are present in that moment
As I thrill to the magic charms
The enchanting effect that the whole experience has on them, making them feel as if it's a fairy tale
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
The blueness of the sky, and the joy of having someone that they care about, in that peaceful moment
My dream of love is coming true
The realisation of a desire or a goal, that fills them with hope and fulfillment
Within our desert caravan
The continuous presence of the experience, the emotions and the memories, within the caravan and its travellers
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RACHEL MARY BERKELEY PORTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cesar Montes
Those ones have ears are missing a great genius trumpet player !!!!!!!!
Jeff Bunn
Yes!!! Thank you!!! 1Nation4Life! <3 (y)!!!!