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Hubert Laws (born November 10, 1939)[1] is an American flutist, piccoloist and saxophonist with a career spanning over 50 years in jazz, classical, and other music genres. Laws is one of the few classical artists who has also mastered jazz, pop, and rhythm-and-blues genres, moving effortlessly from one repertory to another.[2] He has three Grammy nominations.[3]

Biography

[edit]

Hubert Laws, Jr. was born November 10, 1939, in the Studewood section of Houston, Texas, the second of eight children to Hubert Laws, Sr. and Miola Luverta Donahue.[1][4][5][6][7] Many of his siblings also entered the music industry, including saxophonist Ronnie and vocalists Eloise, Debra, and Johnnie Laws. He began playing flute in high school after volunteering to substitute for the school orchestra's regular flutist. He became adept at jazz improvisation by playing in the Houston-area jazz group the Swingsters, which eventually evolved into the Modern Jazz Sextet, the Night Hawks, and The Crusaders. At the age of 15, he was a member of the early Jazz Crusaders while in Texas (1954–60), and also played classical music during those years.

Winning a scholarship to New York's Juilliard School of Music in 1960, he studied music both in the classroom and with master flutist Julius Baker, and played with both the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (member) and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra through 1969–72. In this period, his renditions of classical compositions by Gabriel Fauré, Stravinsky, Debussy, and Bach on the 1971 CTI recording Rite of Spring—with a string section and such jazz stalwarts as Airto Moreira, Jack DeJohnette, Bob James, and Ron Carter—earned him an audience of classical music aficionados. Laws would return to this genre in 1976 with a recording of Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet.

While at Juilliard, Laws played flute during the evenings with several acts, including Mongo Santamaría through 1963–67 where he also was featured on tenor saxophone, and in 1964 began recording as a bandleader for Atlantic where he released the albums The Laws of Jazz, Flute By-Laws, and Laws Cause. He appeared on albums by Ashford & Simpson, Chet Baker, George Benson, and Moondog. He recorded with his younger brother Ronnie on the album The Laws in the early 1970s. He played flute on Gil Scott-Heron's 1971 album Pieces of a Man, which featured the jazz poem "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". During the 1970s, Laws was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet. He can also be heard playing tenor saxophone on some records from the 1970s.[8][9]

In 1981, Laws produced the album Very Special by Debra Laws.[10]

In the 1990s, Laws resumed his career, playing on the 1991 Spirituals in Concert recording by opera singers Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman. His albums on the Music Masters Jazz label—My Time Will Come in 1990 and, more particularly, Storm Then Calm in 1994—are regarded by critics as a return to the form he exhibited on his early 1970s albums. He also recorded a tribute album to jazz pianist and pop-music vocalist Nat King Cole, Hubert Laws Remembers the Unforgettable Nat King Cole, which received critical accolades. Among the many artists he has played and recorded with are Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Leonard Bernstein, James Moody, Jaco Pastorius, Sérgio Mendes, Steve Barta, Bob James, Carly Simon, Grant Green, George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry, Stevie Wonder, J. J. Johnson, and The Rascals.[11] In 1998, Laws recorded with Morcheeba for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Rhapsody, a tribute to George Gershwin, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease.

The 2006 video Hubert Laws Live 30-year Video Retrospective includes "Red Hot & Cool" with Nancy Wilson, Performance in Brazil, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Appearance, The 1975 Down Beat Reader's Poll Awards, Performance in Japan, and Performance in Germany.

Awards and honors

[edit]

In June 2010, Laws received a lifetime achievement award from the National Endowment for the Arts in the field of jazz.[12]

Laws is a recipient of the 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Award.[13]

Grammy Awards

[edit]

Hubert Laws has received the following nominations at the Grammy Awards:

Year Title Category Result
1973 Morning Star Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist Nominated[14]
1974 In the Beginning Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist Nominated[14]
1979 Land of Passion Best R&B Instrumental Performance Nominated[14]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Hubert Laws discography

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Hubert Laws

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Hubert Laws Jr. (born November 10, 1939) is an American jazz flutist, saxophonist, and composer, widely regarded as a pioneering figure in integrating classical techniques with jazz improvisation over a career exceeding six decades.[1] Born in Houston, Texas, into a musical family as the second of eight children—including saxophonist Ronnie Laws and vocalist Eloise Laws—he began playing flute in high school, initially for the orchestra's rendition of the William Tell Overture, while developing a passion for jazz.[2] Laws studied classical flute under masters like Julius Baker at the Juilliard School of Music, where he earned a scholarship and a Bachelor of Music degree in 1964, and earlier with Clement Barone at Texas Southern University.[3][1] Early in his career, Laws performed with ensembles such as the Modern Jazz Sextet in 1953 and Mongo Santamaría's band from 1963 to 1967, before joining prestigious orchestras like the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra between 1969 and 1972.[2] As a prolific bandleader, his debut album was The Laws of Jazz (1964); he has since released over 20 albums, including landmark CTI Records titles like Crying Song (1970), Rite of Spring (1971)—an innovative jazz adaptation of Stravinsky—and Morning Star (1972), earning him the title of "Number One Flutist" in DownBeat magazine's readers' polls for 12 consecutive years and critics' choice for seven.[1][3] His versatility as a session musician shines through collaborations with icons including Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Paul McCartney, and Aretha Franklin, as well as contributions to film scores for The Wiz (1978) and The Color Purple (1985).[2][1] Laws has also bridged classical and jazz worlds by performing with symphony orchestras worldwide—such as the Chicago, Cleveland, and Amsterdam philharmonics—and at festivals like Montreux and the Hollywood Bowl alongside the Modern Jazz Quartet and flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal.[3] His achievements include the National Flute Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2011, and a UCLA Tribute Award in 2004 shared with artists like Nancy Wilson and James Moody.[4][3] After a period of semi-retirement from 1986 to 1993, Laws resumed recording in the 1990s, with later tributes like Hubert Laws Remembers the Unforgettable Nat King Cole (1998).[2] Influenced by jazz flutists like Herbie Mann and classical composers including Bach, Mozart, Debussy, and Stravinsky, Laws remains a defining voice in flute performance, effortlessly navigating pop, R&B, and beyond, and stays active as of 2025.[1][2][5]

Early Life and Education

Family and Childhood

Hubert Laws was born on November 10, 1939, in the Studewood section of Houston, Texas, as the second of eight children to Hubert Laws Sr., a manual laborer who retreaded tires and worked at a parking garage while singing in the church choir, and Miola Luverta Donahue Laws, a seamstress, homemaker, and pianist for the local Baptist choir.[6][7][2] The family initially lived in the Cuney Homes housing project when Laws was around four or five years old before moving to Studewood, a segregated neighborhood where strong familial bonds and proximity to local music venues shaped daily life.[6][1] His maternal grandfather was a harmonica-playing traveling troubadour, further embedding music into the household dynamic.[1] The Laws family was deeply immersed in music, with many siblings pursuing artistic paths that reflected the home's creative atmosphere. Laws' siblings included his older sister Blanche, a gospel singer who later became head of Angelus Funeral Home; brother Johnny, a singer; sister Eloise, a jazz vocalist; younger brother Ronnie Laws, a saxophonist born in 1950; sister Charlotte, who performed as an Ikette; sister Debra, a vocalist known for duets with Laws; and sister Donna, a dancer.[6][8][9] This environment fostered early communal performances, influenced by gospel traditions from church and the rhythmic sounds of nearby honky-tonks and neighborhood dances featuring rhythm and blues and gospel.[1][8][10] Laws' personal musical journey began around age four or five when he started playing the piano by ear, picking out melodies under his mother's guidance and drawing from gospel and honky-tonk styles prevalent in Houston's vibrant Black music community during the 1940s and 1950s.[6][11] In elementary school, he experimented with the mellophone, and by his early teens, he took up the alto saxophone while working as a paperboy, inspired by local tenor saxophonists and figures like Les Brown of the Band of Renown.[6][1] At around age 13, Laws began performing in Houston's chitlin' circuit and local clubs, winning a talent show hosted by trombonist Trummy Young three times and appearing in floor shows alongside guitarist Roy Gaines, immersing himself in the city's jazz and R&B scenes amid segregation.[6][8] These experiences, rooted in family support and community venues, ignited his lifelong passion for music before transitioning to formal studies.[12]

Formal Training

Hubert Laws began his formal musical training in high school, where he was introduced to the flute during his senior year at Phyllis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas, after volunteering to substitute for the school's regular flutist in the orchestra.[6] Under the guidance of band director Sammy Harris, he performed the flute solo in the William Tell Overture and played in both dance and marching bands, honing his skills alongside future members of the Jazz Crusaders.[1] This early institutional exposure, motivated by his family's musical background, laid the groundwork for his classical pursuits.[13] Following his graduation from high school in 1956, Laws attended Texas Southern University for one year, where the lack of a flute major prompted him to study privately with flutist Clement Barone, who provided lessons for $3 each and sold him a professional flute.[6] He then transferred to Los Angeles State College from 1958 to 1959, continuing his flute focus and participating in the school's orchestra while refining his technique.[14] In 1960, Laws secured a one-year scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied flute intensively with master flutist Julius Baker, a piccolo player with the New York Philharmonic and Detroit Symphony Orchestra.[1] Baker's rigorous instruction emphasized memorizing etudes by composers such as Karg-Elert and Andersen, alongside orchestral repertoire, sonatas, and concerti, enabling Laws to complete his degree in 1964.[6] During his Juilliard years, he engaged in early classical performances, including appearances with the Tanglewood Orchestra under conductors like Leonard Bernstein, and participated in orchestral auditions that showcased his developing proficiency in chamber and ensemble settings.[14]

Career

Early Professional Work

In the early 1960s, Laws established himself as a versatile sideman in the jazz scene, collaborating with prominent artists including Mongo Santamaría from 1963 to 1967, during which he contributed flute and tenor saxophone to recordings like Skins. He also worked with trombonist Kai Winding, participating in sessions that highlighted his ability to blend jazz improvisation with ensemble precision, such as Winding's 1967 album Penny Lane & Time where Laws played flute alongside a four-part flute section. These engagements underscored Laws' growing reputation as a reliable and adaptable player in New York's vibrant jazz circuit.[6][15][1] By 1969, Laws joined the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as a bonded member, serving until 1972 and gaining invaluable experience in classical repertoire under conductors like Leonard Bernstein. This orchestral role not only refined his technical precision but also allowed him to maintain parallel jazz commitments, marking a pivotal phase in balancing symphonic discipline with improvisational freedom.[6][1] Prior to his debut as a bandleader, Laws appeared as a featured flutist on several notable recordings, including Herbie Mann's 1967 album Glory of Love on CTI, where he shared flute duties and contributed to the album's Latin-jazz fusion sound. Other early contributions encompassed sessions with Quincy Jones on Walking in Space (1969) and James Moody alongside Tom McIntosh on Great Day (pre-1964), showcasing his emerging voice in collaborative jazz projects before transitioning to leadership.[6][16]

Solo Recordings and Breakthrough

Hubert Laws transitioned from sideman roles to establishing himself as a bandleader in the mid-1960s, marking his debut as a leader with the album The Laws of Jazz, released in 1964 on Atlantic Records. This recording featured a hard bop ensemble including pianist Chick Corea and bassist Richard Davis, showcasing Laws' agile flute technique within a straight-ahead jazz framework.[17] In 1969, Laws signed with CTI Records, founded by producer Creed Taylor, which propelled his career into jazz fusion territory and broadened his audience. His first CTI release, Crying Song, blended pop covers with jazz arrangements, setting the stage for his innovative fusions. This affiliation led to a series of breakthrough albums in the early 1970s that highlighted his ability to merge classical elements with contemporary jazz.[18][19] A pivotal work was Afro-Classic in 1970, where Laws interpreted classical pieces alongside contemporary tunes like James Taylor's "Fire and Rain," employing a large ensemble to fuse orchestral textures with rhythmic grooves. The following year's The Rite of Spring further exemplified this approach, adapting Igor Stravinsky's ballet score into jazz-infused arrangements that emphasized Laws' virtuosic flute lines over expansive string sections and horns. These albums established Laws as a pioneer in classical-jazz crossover, earning critical acclaim for their sophisticated blending of genres.[20][21] Laws reached his commercial peak during the 1970s under CTI, with recordings that crossed into pop-jazz territory and achieved wider appeal through radio-friendly melodies and polished production. Albums like Wild Flower, released in 1972 on Atlantic but reflective of his CTI-era style, incorporated soulful rhythms and accessible harmonies, contributing to his status as a jazz fusion star. This period solidified his reputation, with CTI releases driving sales and introducing his music to broader audiences beyond traditional jazz listeners.[22][23][24] Beyond his own discography, Laws extended his influence through production, notably co-producing his sister Debra Laws' debut album Very Special in 1981 on Elektra Records alongside brother Ronnie Laws. The title track became a significant R&B hit, reaching number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart and exemplifying the family's collaborative smooth jazz sound. From 1986 to 1993, Laws entered a period of semi-retirement, during which he founded Hulaws Music and Golden Flute Music companies.[25][26][2]

Orchestral and Collaborative Engagements

Hubert Laws served as a flutist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1969 to 1972, marking a significant period in his classical engagements during which he performed under conductors like Leonard Bernstein.[27][6] During this tenure, he contributed to notable recordings, including Debussy's La Mer, showcasing his ability to integrate into orchestral settings while maintaining his jazz roots.[6] His role highlighted his versatility, as he balanced symphony duties with emerging jazz crossover projects. Beyond New York, Laws appeared as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other major symphonies, including those in Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit, where he often blended classical works with jazz improvisations to create hybrid performances.[3][28] These engagements emphasized his skill in adapting flute techniques across genres, performing pieces from the standard classical repertoire while incorporating improvisational elements drawn from his jazz background.[3] For instance, in collaborations with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, such as a 2005 performance alongside vocalist Dianne Reeves, Laws featured in jazz-infused orchestral programs that bridged concert hall traditions with festival-style energy.[29] Laws' breakthrough albums on CTI Records catalyzed invitations for high-profile collaborations, including session work on Paul McCartney's 1971 album Ram, where he played bass flute on tracks that fused pop and jazz sensibilities.[3] He also recorded with Aretha Franklin, contributing flute to songs like "Day Dreaming" and "Thinking of You" on her 1972 album Young, Gifted and Black, adding ethereal layers to her soul arrangements.[6][3] His partnership with Quincy Jones extended to productions blending orchestral and jazz elements, notably the 1985 album New Earth Sonata, which featured Laws on flute alongside Jones' arrangements and compositions by William Bolcom.[28][30] A longstanding collaboration with Chick Corea began in the early 1960s at Juilliard and continued through recordings starting in 1965, encompassing live performances and studio work that explored classical improvisation, such as their joint interpretations of Bach, Mozart, and Scarlatti pieces.[31] This partnership culminated in shared appearances on New Earth Sonata and tributes, including a 2021 Jazz Bakery event honoring Corea shortly after his passing.[32] These orchestral and collaborative efforts underscored Laws' role in expanding the flute's presence in diverse musical dialogues. In the 1990s, Laws engaged in reflective projects, releasing the 1998 tribute album Hubert Laws Remembers the Unforgettable Nat "King" Cole, which reinterpreted Cole's standards with orchestral backing and jazz phrasing on tracks like "Unforgettable" and "Mona Lisa."[33] Into the 2000s, he maintained an active schedule with festival appearances, including the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles and the 2007 All Star Tribute to Herbie Hancock at Carnegie Hall, as well as benefit concerts like the 2005 House Full of Toys event.[1][34] These later engagements reinforced his enduring influence in blending symphony halls with jazz festivals, performing into his later career with ensembles that highlighted his flute mastery.[28]

Musical Style and Innovations

Crossover Approach

Hubert Laws' crossover approach is characterized by the seamless integration of Western classical techniques—such as precise articulation, tonal purity, and structural discipline—with the improvisational freedom of jazz, alongside rhythmic and melodic elements from R&B and pop.[35][8] This fusion allowed him to transcend genre boundaries, creating a distinctive flute sound that emphasized lyrical expression and harmonic sophistication drawn from both worlds.[36] His orchestral background, including performances with the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, provided the foundational classical elements that he adapted into jazz contexts.[8] As a pioneer in jazz flute during the 1970s fusion era, Laws elevated the instrument's technical and expressive standards, influencing contemporaries and successors by demonstrating its viability in electric and ensemble-driven settings.[35][37] He surpassed the popularity of earlier figures like Herbie Mann, earning DownBeat magazine's top flutist accolade for ten consecutive years and inspiring a generation of musicians to explore similar genre-blending.[35][37] Laws' recordings during this period, often featuring collaborations with jazz icons, underscored his role in pushing flute beyond traditional bebop into fusion territories rich with rock and soul influences.[36] Laws innovatively incorporated the piccolo and other alternate flutes into non-traditional jazz contexts, leveraging their higher registers and brighter timbres to add piercing, agile lines that complemented fusion's dynamic textures.[35][14] This approach expanded the flute family's sonic palette in improvisational music, where such instruments were rarely prominent, allowing for novel interactions with electric guitars, keyboards, and percussion.[38] Through his crossover innovations, Laws significantly broadened the flute's role in popular culture, transforming it from a primarily classical domain into a versatile voice in jazz, fusion, and mainstream recordings.[35][37] His work helped legitimize the flute as a lead instrument in commercial jazz settings, fostering greater acceptance and experimentation with woodwinds in diverse musical landscapes during the 1970s and beyond.[38][1]

Technique and Influences

Hubert Laws' flute technique is deeply rooted in his classical training at the Juilliard School, where he earned a scholarship and studied under the renowned flutist Julius Baker, principal of the New York Philharmonic. Baker's approach emphasized musicality over rote technical drills, as Laws recalled, "Julie did not teach the technical aspects of flute playing; he simply taught music." This foundation honed Laws' tone production through daily long-tone exercises, starting from the middle-line B and progressing across registers to achieve consistency and purity, a practice inspired by Baker and fellow flutist Clement Barone.[35] Vibrato control was refined through precise articulation exercises, ensuring evenness and expressiveness, while breath support was cultivated for sustained, linear phrasing, evident in his ability to navigate extended passages without interruption.[35][6] Laws' jazz influences emerged prominently through his sideman roles, beginning with Mongo Santamaria's band from 1964 to 1967, where he played flute and tenor saxophone, absorbing Latin rhythms and improvisational phrasing that infused his playing with rhythmic vitality and syncopation. This experience shaped his ability to blend groove-oriented feel with melodic invention, as he noted the challenge of adapting classical precision to Santamaria's dynamic ensembles.[6][35] In fusion settings, Laws innovated by applying classical techniques to jazz improvisation, notably through rapid articulation via single-, double-, and triple-tonguing, as demonstrated in his triple-tongued lines on "Bessie's Blues," which allowed for fleet, bebop-inflected runs on flute and piccolo. He routinely practiced Taffanel and Gaubert's 17 Daily Exercises to maintain this agility, extending the flute's range into altissimo territories for expressive highs in fusion contexts. These advancements, bridging Juilliard's tonal discipline with jazz's spontaneity, elevated the flute's role in genre-blending performances.[35]

Awards and Honors

Grammy Nominations

Hubert Laws received three Grammy Award nominations during his career, all recognizing his innovative contributions to jazz and R&B instrumentation on flute. These nominations occurred in the 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting his prominence as a crossover artist blending jazz with classical and pop elements.[39] In 1974, at the 16th Annual Grammy Awards, Laws was nominated for Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist for his album Morning Star, which showcased his virtuosic flute work alongside arrangements of popular and classical themes, earning acclaim for elevating the flute's role in contemporary jazz.[40] The following year, in 1975 at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards, he received another nomination in the same category for In the Beginning, an album that further explored his classical influences through jazz interpretations, solidifying his reputation as a leading flutist during a period when the category highlighted soloists pushing genre boundaries.[41] Laws' third nomination came in 1980, at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards, for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the track "Land of Passion" from his album of the same name, marking his expansion into R&B fusion and demonstrating the flute's versatility in rhythmic, groove-oriented contexts.[42] During the 1970s, the Grammy Awards' jazz categories, such as Best Jazz Performance by a Soloist, provided a platform for instrumental pioneers like Laws, whose nominations underscored the flute's rising prominence in jazz amid a broader trend of genre fusion and instrumental innovation that challenged traditional big band and combo norms.[40][41] This era saw the Recording Academy increasingly honoring woodwind specialists, with Laws' work exemplifying how flute could serve as a melodic and improvisational lead in both acoustic and electric jazz settings.[39]
YearCategoryWorkResult
1974Best Jazz Performance by a SoloistMorning Star (album)Nominated[40]
1975Best Jazz Performance by a SoloistIn the Beginning (album)Nominated[41]
1980Best R&B Instrumental Performance"Land of Passion" (track)Nominated[42]

Lifetime Achievements

Hubert Laws received the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2011, the nation's highest honor for distinguished jazz musicians, which included a $25,000 fellowship to support his ongoing artistic work.[1] The award recognized his pioneering role as a jazz flutist, blending classical precision with improvisational flair, and featured a tribute performance at the annual ceremony in New York City's Rose Theater, where Laws performed alongside fellow honorees.[43] This accolade, announced in 2010, underscored his lifetime contributions to jazz, including mentoring younger musicians through shared techniques in improvisation for classically trained artists.[1] In 2003, the National Flute Association presented Laws with its Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his innovative crossover between classical, jazz, pop, and rhythm-and-blues genres over five decades.[28] The recognition celebrated his performances as a soloist with major orchestras, such as the New York Philharmonic and Chicago Symphony, and his collaborations with icons like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, which expanded the flute's prominence in diverse musical contexts.[28] In 2004, Laws received the UCLA Tribute Award, shared with artists including Nancy Wilson and James Moody.[3] Laws has been a dominant figure in the DownBeat Critics Poll, winning the top flute category for seven consecutive years, reflecting his technical mastery and influence on the instrument in jazz.[28] These victories also highlight his broader impact on jazz education, where he has taught privately—including to flutists like Dave Valentin—and lectured at institutions like his alma mater, Phyllis Wheatley High School, emphasizing accessible improvisation and cross-genre skills for emerging artists.[6]

Discography

As Leader

Hubert Laws' recordings as leader span over five decades, beginning with his debut on Atlantic Records in the 1960s and transitioning through CTI, Columbia, and independent labels thereafter. His early work emphasized straight-ahead jazz with emerging talents, while later efforts incorporated crossover elements, classical influences, and tributes.[44] His first album, The Laws of Jazz (1964, Atlantic), featured pianist Chick Corea, bassist Richard Davis, and drummers Jimmy Cobb and Bobby Thomas Jr., produced by Nesuhi Ertegun.[45] This was followed by Flute By-Laws (1966, Atlantic), with Corea returning alongside bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Idris Muhammad, highlighting Laws' versatile flute technique in a hard bop context. Laws' Cause (1968, Atlantic) included collaborations with Grant Green on guitar and Billy Higgins on drums, produced by Joel Dorn. Wild Flower (1972, Atlantic) augmented Laws' flute with vibes from Gary Burton, piano from Chick Corea, and string arrangements.[46] In 1969, Laws moved to CTI Records, where producer Creed Taylor oversaw much of his 1970s output, often featuring CTI house musicians like keyboardist Bob James, drummer Billy Cobham, and percussionist Airto Moreira. Key releases included Crying Song (1969, CTI), blending pop covers with jazz improvisation. Afro-Classic (1970, CTI) showcased Laws' fusion of jazz and classical, with arrangements by Don Sebesky and participation from the New York Philharmonic.[47] The Rite of Spring (1971, CTI) reinterpreted Stravinsky's composition, again with Sebesky's orchestrations and string sections. Morning Star (1972, CTI), featuring Grover Washington Jr. on saxophone, was followed by the live Carnegie Hall (1973, CTI), documenting a concert with a large ensemble including Dave Bargeron on trombone, and In the Beginning (1974, CTI), captured performances with Ron Carter on bass and Lenny White on drums. The San Francisco Concert (1977, CTI) was another live release from that era. The Chicago Theme (1975, CTI) featured arrangements emphasizing Laws' melodic flute lines. Shifting to Columbia in the mid-1970s, Laws explored smoother jazz-funk sounds. Romeo & Juliet (1976, Columbia) drew from Prokofiev with orchestral backing. Say It with Silence (1978, Columbia) featured collaborations with guitarist Earl Klugh. The live Land of Passion (1979, Columbia) highlighted Latin influences with performers like Randy Brecker on trumpet.[48] In the 1980s and 1990s, Laws recorded sporadically on smaller labels, focusing on mature jazz interpretations. My Time Will Come (1990, Music Masters) included standards and originals with pianist Kenny Barron. Storm Then the Calm (1994, Music Masters) featured original compositions with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Al Foster. A tribute album, Hubert Laws Remembers the Unforgettable Nat "King" Cole (1998, Unique Jazz), reimagined Cole standards with string arrangements by Sammy Nestico. Later releases included Baila Cinderella (2002, Scepterstein), a Latin-jazz collection produced by Laws, featuring tracks like "Dance Cinderella" with guest vocalists. Moondance (2004, Savoy Jazz) offered jazz interpretations of pop tunes, while Hubert Laws Plays Bach for Barone & Baker (2005, Denon) paid homage to his teachers with classical flute works. No new studio or live audio albums have been released since 2005, though the 2006 video Hubert Laws Live: 30-Year Video Retrospective compiles live performances. Reissues like The Laws of Jazz / Flute By-Laws (various, 2000s compilations) bundled early Atlantic work.

As Sideman

Hubert Laws established himself as a highly sought-after sideman in the 1960s, contributing his distinctive flute and saxophone work to jazz and Latin ensembles that bridged traditional and emerging styles. Early in the decade, he recorded with Mongo Santamaría on the 1969 album Stone Soul, where his saxophone added a layer of improvisational flair to the Afro-Cuban jazz-funk tracks like "Stoned Soul Picnic."[49] Similarly, his collaboration with Chick Corea on sessions during this period, including contributions to Corea's exploratory post-bop works, highlighted Laws' ability to integrate classical precision with jazz spontaneity, though specific album credits from this era often positioned him as a supporting ensemble member.[1] These 1960s efforts exemplified his role in jazz ensembles, where he provided melodic support across over 100 total session appearances spanning genres.[1] In the 1970s, Laws expanded into fusion, pop, and R&B, lending his flute to high-profile projects that amplified his versatility. He featured prominently on Quincy Jones' Walking in Space (1969), delivering solo flute lines on the title track that infused the album's soul-jazz arrangements with ethereal texture.[50] His alto flute enriched Aretha Franklin's Young, Gifted and Black (1972), particularly on dreamy tracks like "Day Dreaming," where it complemented Franklin's vocals and Donny Hathaway's electric piano in a jazz-soul groove.[51] Throughout the decade, he amassed credits on numerous pop and fusion sessions, including work with artists like Stevie Wonder and Freddie Hubbard, solidifying his reputation as a go-to session flutist.[1] Laws' orchestral sideman roles further underscored his classical chops, with contributions to major symphony recordings from the late 1960s onward. As a member of the New York Philharmonic from 1969 to 1972, he participated in various ensemble recordings, bringing jazz-inflected nuance to symphonic works under conductors like Zubin Mehta.[27] He also joined sessions with the [Los Angeles Philharmonic](/page/Los Angeles_Philharmonic), appearing as a soloist or section player on projects that merged classical repertoires with contemporary arrangements.[3] In the 1980s and 2000s, his sideman work shifted toward classical crossovers, including collaborations with vocalists like Sarah Vaughan on her final album Brazilian Romance (1987) and Kathleen Battle on Spirituals in Concert (1991), where his flute provided delicate, interpretive support to spiritual arrangements.[1] These later contributions, often in film scores such as Quincy Jones' The Color Purple (1985), reflected Laws' enduring impact across orchestral and hybrid genres.[1]

References

  1. Hubert Laws | National Endowment for the Arts
  2. Laws, Hubert | Encyclopedia.com
  3. Hubert Laws - LA Phil
  4. Hubert Laws Jr. | NAMM.org
  5. [PDF] Hubert Laws - Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program - Transcript
  6. Miola Laws, mother of Laws jazz legends, dead at 103
  7. Hubert Laws Musician - All About Jazz
  8. Hubert Laws - Biography - IMDb
  9. Hubert Laws — Jazz Empowers
  10. An Interview with Hubert Laws - Saxophone, Flute, Composing
  11. Jazz Masters of Houston: Hubert Laws | Art Attack
  12. The Front Row – Flutist Hubert Laws - Houston Public Media
  13. Hubert Laws: Flute Virtuoso and NEA Jazz Master
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/3242697-Kai-Winding-Penny-Lane-Time
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/1407315-Herbie-Mann-Glory-Of-Love
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/1229881-Hubert-Laws-The-Laws-Of-Jazz
  17. CTI: The Brilliance of Hubert Laws - by Marc Myers - JazzWax
  18. CTI on BGO - All About Jazz
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/6733382-Hubert-Laws-Afro-Classic
  20. The Rite of Spring - Hubert Laws | Album - AllMusic
  21. Wild Flower - Hubert Laws | Album - AllMusic
  22. HUBERT LAWS discography (top albums) and reviews
  23. CTI Records: Various Artists: CTI Records - The Cool Revolution
  24. https://www.discogs.com/release/1157067-Debra-Laws-Very-Special
  25. Music - Review of Debra Laws - Very Special - BBC
  26. CTI: The Brilliance of Hubert Laws - All About Jazz
  27. Hubert Laws - NFA Lifetime Achievement Award
  28. Dianne Reeves; Los Angeles Philharmonic - Variety
  29. New Earth Sonata by Hubert Laws, Quincy Jones & Chick Corea ...
  30. Chick Corea and Hubert Laws: Ultimate Classical + Improvisation ...
  31. The Jazz Bakery Presents Hubert Laws: A Tribute to Chick Corea
  32. Hubert Laws - Blue Note Records
  33. Hubert Laws - Concert - Setlist.fm
  34. [PDF] hubert laws: the influence of classical tone, and technique on - CORE
  35. Hubert Laws brings passion and prowess to the flute across genres
  36. Hubert Laws: Flute by Laws - JazzTimes
  37. A Short History of the Jazz Flute
  38. Hubert Laws | Artist | GRAMMY.com
  39. https://www.grammy.com/awards/16th-annual-grammy-awards
  40. https://www.grammy.com/awards/17th-annual-grammy-awards
  41. https://www.grammy.com/awards/22nd-annual-grammy-awards
  42. Marsalis Family, Hubert Laws, Dave Liebman Saluted as NEA Jazz ...
  43. Hubert Laws
  44. https://www.discogs.com/master/59323-Hubert-Laws-The-Laws-Of-Jazz
  45. https://www.discogs.com/master/67392-Hubert-Laws-Afro-Classic
  46. https://www.discogs.com/master/227033-Hubert-Laws-Land-Of-Passion
  47. 1969 Mongo Santamaria – Stone Soul – Sessiondays
  48. https://www.discogs.com/release/2560746-Quincy-Jones-Walking-In-Space
  49. https://www.discogs.com/release/517807-Aretha-Franklin-Young-Gifted-And-Black
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