HERBIE HANCOCK - PIONEERING JAZZ TRUMPETER FREDDIE HUBBARD DIES AGED 70

PIONEERING JAZZ TRUMPETER FREDDIE HUBBARD DIES AGED 70

Jazz legend Freddie Hubbard died on Monday (December 29th) at the age of 70, his manager has confirmed.

The Grammy-winner, who worked with the likes of Mile Davis and John Coltrane, was credited with having transformed the style of countless trumpeters with his unique style.

He had been hospitalised in Los Angeles in November having suffered a heart attack and passed away on Monday, his manager David Weiss confirmed in a statement.

"He played faster, longer, higher and with more energy than any other trumpeter of his era," he added.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years Briggie and son Duane and a memorial service is likely to take place in New York early next year.

Hubbard released his first album Open Sesame in 1958 and performed on more than 300 recordings.

A Grammy recipient in 1972 for best jazz performance - on First Light - Hubbard also collaborated with jazz greats such as Thelonius Monk and Herbie Hancock.

"He influenced all the trumpet players that came after him," trumpeter Wynton Marsalis was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying

"Certainly I listened to him a lot. We all listened to him. He had a big sound and a great sense of rhythm and time and really the hallmark of his playing is an exuberance."

Promoting his last album On the Real Side in 2007, Hubbard said his trumpeting style "could be hazardous to your health".

"I've played some things that I don't think too many cats can play that are alive today," he claimed.