Source Material: Bobby Hutcherson – “Manzanita”

Bobby Hutcherson was a jazz vibraphone and marimba player from Los Angeles, California.  Hutcherson started performing in the ’50s, but he made his recording debut in the early ’60s.  In the ’50s, Hutcherson performed with jazz artists, like Les McCann, Charles Lloyd, and Curtis Amy.  Then, Hutcherson moved to San Francisco, and he played with the Billy Mitchell-Al Grey group.  After, he relocated to New York, and he started performing with artists on the local scene.  Two of the most important artists he worked with were Eric Dolphy and Jackie Mclean.   Both artists were instrumental in Hutcherson receiving a record contract from Blue Note Records.

In 1966, Hutcherson released his debut solo album, Dialogue, on Blue Note Records.   His debut was apart of a prolific run.  Hutcherson released, recorded, or contributed to music on Blue Note Records for 14 years (1963-1977).   His album Linger Lane (1974), features a mixture of jazz and soul.  “Manzanita” is one of my favorite tracks, and it’s a great example of his skillset.  At the end of his career, Hutcherson was considered one of the premier vibraphonists of his time.

Bobby Hutcherson – “Manzanita”