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David Fathead Newman at Jazz at Pearl's February 2-4 |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Thursday, 25 January 2007 |
 Dave Fathead Newman © Andrea Canter
David "Fathead" Newman, who plays both tenor and flute, is a solid mainstream jazz player who is best known for his long association with Ray Charles. Newman was born in Corsicana, Texas on February 24, 1933. After high school, David found gigs in local bands. He received a scholarship to Jarvis Christian College where he studied theology and music. After two years of college, David decided to go on the road full time with Buster Smith (Charlie Parker's mentor). On one of those tours, David met Ray Charles. They immediately bonded, both musically and as friends. When Ray started his own band, he called on David to be part of his group. In 1954, David began a twelve year association with the Ray Charles Band. David began as the baritone player and soon became the star tenor soloist.
Curtis Fuller Sextet at Smalls
In 1959, David recorded his first album as a leader titled, "Fathead: Ray Charles Presents 'Fathead'" on Atlantic records. It included Newman's dramatic and now famous rendition of Hard Times. He returned to Dallas for a short time and led his own bands. Then he moved to New York City where his career took off in many directions, recording many albums for Atlantic records, as well as Warner Brothers and Prestige, and gigging with Lee Morgan, Kenny Drew Sr., Billy Higgins, Kenny Dorham and so many other of the great jazz musicians hanging out on the New York scene.
 Dave Fathead Newman © Andrea Canter
In 1980, Newman recorded several mainstream jazz albums for the Muse label. Artists such as Cedar Walton, Jimmy Cobb, Buster Williams, Louis Hayes, and other fine NY musicians, helped round out the rhythm sections. David returned to Atlantic Records in the late eighties to record several albums. Newman's next recordings were on the Kokopelli label, owned by Herbie Mann. David recorded a beautiful CD in tribute to Duke Ellington, titled Mr. Gentle, Mr. Cool. David produced the next one on Kokopelli, titled Under A Woodstock Moon. The late nineties brought David to the High Note label where he recorded I Remember Brother Ray, was released in 2005 and became the #1 Most Played Jazz Album nationwide.
David Newman has appeared on many television shows including Saturday Night Live, David Sanborn's Night Music, David Letterman, and various featured news segments. David appeared in Robert Altman's film Kansas City and did a national tour with the Kansas City Orchestra, for Verve Records. Com her this wonderful musician at Jazz at Pearl's. Shows are at 8:00 pm & 10:00 pm, doors open 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25. Jazz at Pearl's is located in the heart of San Francisco's Entertainment District at 256 Columbus Ave in San Francisco (415-291-8255). www.jazzatpearls.com
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 Friday, 25 July 2008
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