Talking Jazz with Ben Sidran

Episode 5: Freddie Hubbard

Here’s the story: back in the mid-80’s on National Public Radio (NPR) in America, a show ran called Sidran On Record. Presented by Ben Sidran, a musician, author, lecturer and journalist, the show featured interviews with the great and the good from the world of Jazz. Miles, Dizzy, Herbie and Grover were amongst 60 interviews that ran over the course of 5 years. Many of the legends featured are sadly no longer with us, but the recordings are, and several years back Ben released these as part of a wonderful, 24 CD box set called Talking Jazz – bringing to life a golden period of entertainment and understanding as we learn about the masters, their thoughts and their works. Whilst this may seem like an advert for this prestigious box set, it isn’t really. Promise. We’ve been in touch with Ben and asked for his permission to use these interviews and create our own shows based on his works. Ben gave it two thumbs up and we’re delighted to present to you Talking Jazz with Ben Sidran, our most ambitious project to date.

Episode Five concentrates on one of the legends of trumpet: Freddie Hubbard. A man who was known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post bop styles and who through the 1960’s played on some of the most important albums from that era. Initially as a sideman and then as a bandleader, Freddie recorded mainly for Blue Note and CTI Records and as Ben Sidran finds out, his influences and sounds that he produced were far ranging in technique and style. Compulsive and illuminating, another Jazz great whose music thankfully lives on.

If you fancy buying the essential box set, which includes the full sixty interviews, then here’s where you need to go: http://www.talkingjazz.com