David "Fathead" Newman: Davey Blue

 

David Newman spent his career as a jazz musician saddled with the nickname “Fathead.” Early on, he did an album or two as “David Newman” and found out that no one knew who he was, so it was back to “Fathead” for the balance of his life. For me (and I suspect other listeners as well), the most detrimental aspect of the name is that it puts Neman into the groove/funk/soul category, which doesn’t really convey the breadth and depth of his artistry. That’s not to say he wasn’t a wailing Texas tenor (and alto and flute) player—all of the years he spent in the Ray Charles orchestra can testify to that. Personal note: I saw Ray Charles when Fathead was with him, so I actually got to hear him play, although without any memory of his playing.

Take Davey Blue, for instance. It’s got bluesy swingers (Cellar Groove), gorgeous ballads (A Child Is Born), Afro-Caribbean sounds (Amandla), jazz standards (Freedom Jazz Dance, and dig the vibes and piano solos!), and a stunning version of Duke Pearson’s Cristo Redentor. Newman is at home regardless of what he plays. The fine vibraphonist Bryan Carrott (I’ve got to listen to more of him!), the great pianist Cedar Walton, bassist David Williams, and drummer Kenny Washington all sound terrific, both individually and collectively. I’m already on the lookout for more David Newman, and you should be, too, Fathead or not.

Here's Cristo Redentor:

Freedom Jazz Dance:

and the title track.