Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
As part of its continuing series of unearthing previously unissued archival music by jazz legends, on June 2nd Blue Note Records is planning a June 2 release of Without A Song—Live In Europe 1969 by the late trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who passed away last December at the age of 70. Recorded at shows in England and Germany, the album features seven tracks performed with pianist Roland Hanna, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Louis Hayes. After years of being in the Blue Note vaults, last year producer Michael Cuscuna sent the tapes to Hubbard, who embraced the idea of letting the music finally being released.
“Freddie said that this was some of his best playing ever captured on tape,” Cuscuna said. “Freddie was like a schoolboy when he heard these tapes. He was jumping up and down. He was thrilled. He was full-steam ahead with the release and wanted to do publicity surrounding it. He wanted to show who the real Freddie Hubbard was.”
Trumpeter David Weiss, who worked closely with Hubbard from 2000 to his death, listened with him to the tapes Cuscuna delivered. In the liner notes to Without A Song , Weiss writes, “Freddie and I listened to the three concerts the music on this CD is culled from while we were working on what turned out to be his final album, On the Real Side. Every day while driving back and forth from the studio, we would pop this music into the CD player and soak it all in. Freddie really enjoyed this music.”
Recorded in Bristol and London, England, and at a date in Germany, Without A Song features the title track, “The Things We Did Last Summer,” “A Night in Tunisia” and one of the leader’s hit tunes, “Hub-Tones,” in a truncated version that served as the end song of his sets during the tour. The album also includes Red Garland’s “Blues By Five” and the tempo-shifting original, “Space Track.” In regards the latter, Cuscuna says that it wasn’t originally slated to be on the album, but Hubbard requested it.
“These performances show the range of these guys and the way they approached hard bop,” Cuscuna said.
More info: emimusic.com
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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