Notes From D.R. | Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene

Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, a jazz icon, passes away at 70. Hubbard defined excellence, and his loss is a vicious blow to all who admired his creativity. Billy Joel fans may remember Hubbard for his trumpet work on Joel’s 1978 song “Zanzibar”; hip-hop fans will also recognize Hubbard’s music, as it was frequently sampled by such groups as A Tribe Called Quest.