One of the last of a generation of “Texas Tenors,” David “Fathead” Newman will celebrate his 75th birthday (and new CD release) with a four-night run at the Iridium, January 24-27. In addition to his quartet (Warren Bernhardt on piano, John Menegon on bass, and Yoron Israel on drums), Newman will be feted by a long list of guest artists including Phil Woods, Jimmy Heath, Cedar Walton, Jimmy Cobb and many others throughout the week.
Newman was born in Corsicana, Texas and spent his childhood in Dallas. His parents introduced him to jazz through the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and Duke Ellington. "And of course, there was the blues background,” said Newman. “T-Bone Walker and Lowell Fulson were from the Dallas, Tex., area, and you were just surrounded by the blues. It was all so natural." Although he preferred jazz, Newman said learning other musical styles was a necessity. “I loved the bebop jazz of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, but during my younger years bebop wasn't accepted by a majority of the people," he said. "You couldn't make a living playing just bebop. You had to play some blues or some swing."
While playing in the band at Lincoln High School in Dallas, Newman acquired his nickname when his band teacher noticed he had his music upside-down and called him “Fathead.” The name stuck. After high school, Newman played with local bands and received a scholarship to Jarvis Christian College where he studied theology and music. Ultimately he learned to play not only baritone and tenor, but also alto and soprano sax and flute. After two years of college, Newman went to work full time with Buster Smith (Charlie Parker's mentor), touring Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and sometimes California. After meeting Ray Charles on one of these tours, Newman played in Charles's band from 1950-1959, at first as a baritone saxman and later as the star tenor soloist. Taking off on his own, he moved to New York and worked with Lee Morgan, Kenny Drew Sr., Billy Higgins, and Kenny Dorham. He toured Japan and Europe, and became a busy studio musician, recording with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Hank Crawford, Dr. John, and Art Blakey, and joining Herbie Mann’s “Family of Mann” project.
In the 1980s, Newman worked with outstanding rhythm sections that included Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, Louis Hayes, and Jimmy Cobb. He has appeared on many television shows including Saturday Night Live, David Sanborn's Night Music, David Letterman, and in Robert Altman's film. "Kansas City." He has recorded for Atlantic, Muse, Kokopelli, with the Kansas City Orchestra on Verve, and most recently a series of nine recordings for High Note, including his new CD, Diamondhead, officially to be released on January 29h. His 2005 I Remember Brother Ray was ranked as the top-playing jazz CD nationwide.
For the liner notes to Newman’s 2004 recording (Song for the New Man), critic John Murph wrote, “…Newman still hones a brawny, robust tone that's splendidly enlivened by his nimble, dance-like phrasing. When he plays, he never loses sight of the melody even during a song's most prickly sequences, making every phrase utterly singable. Like his blustery, wide-open sound, his improvisational emphasis on the melody is a testament to his Southern blues roots, proudly extending the legacy of the Texas Tenors, which include such illustrious stylists as Hershel Evens, Buddy Tate, Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, and Buster Smith.”
Today Newman plays mostly concert halls and festivals, rarely in clubs “unless I can get a non-smoking venue. I had surgery [10 years ago to remove his Adam's apple], so I can't be around smoke.” Fortunately with smoking banned in New York clubs as well as many throughout the nation, there remain many opportunities to enjoy the great Texas Tenor in the intimate settings of venues like the Iridium. Scheduled to appear to for Newman’s personal “Diamondhead” celebration are: Phil Woods, Jimmy Cobb, Marcus Belgrave and Paul Shaffer (January 24); Jimmy Heath and Ken Peplowski (January 25); Frank Wess (January 26); Cedar Walton (January 27 first set); Lew Soloff and Steve Turre (January 27); Eric Alexander and Bill Easley (January 24 or 25); Vincent Herring (January 26 or 27); plus special appearances from Benny Powell, Howard Johnson, Russell Malone, Peter Bernstein, Dave Valentin, Janis Siegal, Louis Hayes, Randy Brecker, Lou Marini and David Weiss.
The Iridium is located at 1650 Broadway at 51st Street in Manhattan. Sets at 8:30 and 10:30 pm each night. Tickets are $35 with a $10 minimum per set. Visit www.iridiumjazzclub.com.
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Thursday, 20 November 2008
