Freddie Hubbard or Lee Morgan

[Avant-Guardian]

Who was better?

I won't mention Clifford Brown, since they were both influenced by him and he was their idol.

I hear a lot of similarity in their styles. Freddie was also influenced by Lee, but many times, the student has surpassed the teacher. Admittedly, I haven't heard much from Lee (just The Sidewinder, Candy, and Leeway), but all of Freddie's sideman performances during the '60s blows me away, even more so than his albums as a leader.

I really sparked this question to generate a discussion of these two trumpeters... not to muse philosophically on the concept of "better."

[gdogus]

Originally Posted by Avant-Guardian

Who was better?I really sparked this question to generate a discussion of these two trumpeters... not to muse philosophically on the concept of "better."

Glad to hear it, because it is a dead-end sort of question. Maybe it should be phrased differently - "how would you describe the differences in their playing?" Or, "How do you think their careers evolved differently?" That way you wouldn't have to put up with the problems resulting from hierarchical terminology.

[kh1958]

I don't know. I think they're both great.

[jav]

It's like apples and oranges. Hubbard was one of my initial favorites, so I have a long standing favoritism towards his tone on the trumpet, but Lee Morgan is a perfect listen for that sixties Blue Note sound.

[Shade of Blue]

I haven't listened much to either one, but I'd have to say that I like Morgan a bit more.
Hubbard sometimes seems to lack feeling, maybe. He sounds more like a straight-up bebopper.
Morgan, on the other hand, has a more intense, original, and bluesy sound. I dono, it's hard to say, seeing as how I haven't listened to either of them a lot.

[AdamJV]

Hard to choose; both great. Hubbard for warmth of tone and much greater versatility, Morgan for sheer excitement and technique.

[Ulrik]

Originally Posted by kh1958

I don't know. I think they're both great.

I would say the same perhaps with the slight modification that both of them are the best It is very difficlut to describe the differences, but in a way I sort of rate Lee as the more personal artist with a particualr skill for adding drama & pathos to hs playing and also a very serious composer while Freddie more was the elitist trumpeter that seemed to could play a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. But I do not know if that says anything at tall (thats why it is soooo difficult to talk jazz!) Lee was my initial idol, but I also get to love Freddie more & more. I do not know who was most prolific when it came to release albums in their own name, but the recently re-release "Blue Spirits" is so fresh & full of ideas.

Ulrik

[tpt1]

Originally Posted by AdamJV

Hard to choose; both great. Hubbard for warmth of tone and much greater versatility, Morgan for sheer excitement and technique.

Funny, I think the "sheer exceitement and technique" description is more appropriate for Freddie. They're both great players and a pleasure to listen to.

[Bruce'Blues]

Lee Morgan for me definitely because of his fastness and pumpingness (?)

Freddie Hubbard's leading work just don't really get me.
He is great though but not better. He blows very beautiful.

But Lee Morgan tells me what to do.

So now you know.

[Bruce'Blues]

Originally Posted by jav

Lee Morgan is a perfect listen for that sixties Blue Note sound.

I like the 50s Morgan (and Blue Note) better than the 60s.

[Noj]

My jazz collection would be hurting without both their contributions. Lee Morgan is my favorite overall trumpet player so far though, so he gets the nod. So many greats! Freddie is up there with the very best in my book.

[joevibe]

You cannot compare. They both play their instrument very different. Freddie to me is very lyrical, with loads of technique. Lee is more be-bop. He is so creative and tells his story. He can play so many styles. Listen to "Ceora" then listen to "The Sidewinder".

What a pity how Lee's life ended.

JoeVibe

[Hardbop]

This one is tough.

I like 'em both. I don't think they sound all that alike. I don't associate Freddie with the whole "Sidewinder/Watermelon Man" soul jazz bag. I think Lee's output is much more consistent than Freddie's. That is no doubt due to the fact that Lee wasn't alive for the 1970s when (con)fusion ruled the day and Freddie was making all those dreadful albums for CTI and Columbia.

However, I would say I would prefer Freddie at his peak, which, for me, are those early 1960's sides he laid down for the Blue Note label. Jazz doesn't get much better than that.

[Freek]

Aaargh!!! Impossible question!

They're both brilliant and very versatile players. I'd say Lee is more groovy, funky, blues & soul and Freddie is more intense, searching, spiritual (I sometimes think of him as a sort of John Coltrane of the trumpet?!).

Really apples and oranges. Still have to check out "Night Of The Cookers" on which they both appear, any thoughts on that album?

[peter rh]

Clifford Brown ( yes I have read the thread)