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Laurence Hobgood

Laurence Hobgood began formal piano study at age 6 in Dallas, TX where his father was chairman of the SMU theater program. At age 12 he was introduced to Blues music through his family's church. Several years later, after moving to Illinois, he began formal training in Jazz music. He attended the University of Illinois where he played for three years in the "A" jazz ensemble led by John Garvey. During that time his classical study continued with Ian Hobson.

After moving to Chicago in 1988, he established a local presence leading his own quintet and joining forces with some of Chicago's premier players like Ed Peterson, Fareed Haque, and most importantly Paul Werlico. The group Trio New, with Hobgood, Wertico, and bassist Eric Hochberg, played to critical acclaim and established a serious connection with Wertico that spans many projects and ensembles.

Hobgood received three consecutive fellowships to perform in the Aspen Music Festival's 90, 91 and 92 seasons. There he played with Clark Terry, Gary Burton, Eddie Daniels, Sheila Jordon, Bob Mintzer, and Mark Whitfield among others.

In 1993 Hobgood met vocalist Kurt Elling and began a collaboration which resulted in Elling's signing with the storied Blue Note label; with Hobgood as his co-producer and musical director Elling received Grammy nominations for each of his first three Blue Note releases. The two of them were named 1995 Chicagoans of the year in the Arts by the Chicago Trbune. They've toured Europe, Israel, Australia, Canada, played Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center; Elling's third album "This Time it's Love" reached #1 in national jazz radio play.


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Radio & Podcasts

Jazz and Poetry: Benjamin Boone, Laurence Hobgood, Jane Ira Bloom, Matt Wilson

Read "Jazz and Poetry: Benjamin Boone, Laurence Hobgood, Jane Ira Bloom, Matt Wilson" reviewed by Russell Perry


Since the Charles Mingus--Langston Hughes collaborations in the 1950s, there has always been a durable synergy between Jazz and Poetry. Recently, Poet Laureates Robert Pinsky and Philip Levine have recorded with pianist Laurence Hobgood and alto-saxophonist Benjamin Boone. Bassist Steve Swallow and poet Robert Creeley collaborated on several projects as have tenor player David Murray and Amiri Baraka. In 2017, two projects used the poetry of American masters as the inspiration for jazz suites. Drummer Matt Wilson recorded a project ...

7
Album Review

Laurence Hobgood: Tesseterra

Read "Tesseterra" reviewed by Roger Farbey


"Jazz with strings" is a phrase that sometimes invokes a heart-sink feeling amongst reviewers. Happily this is not one of those occasions. Laurence Hobgood has released a half dozen records under his own name but many more for vocalist Kurt Elling with whom he's been musical director, co-producer and accompanist for over twenty years. During that time Elling was a nominee for his three Blue Note releases and both Hobgood and Elling were named 1995 Chicagoans of the year in ...

219
Album Review

Laurence Hobgood: When the Heart Dances

Read "When the Heart Dances" reviewed by Joel Roberts


Laurence Hobgood is one of those artists whose undeniable talents beg the question, “Why isn't he better known?" In Hobgood's case, part of the reason may be that he's spent most of the past decade and a half in a supportive role, as pianist and musical director for singer Kurt Elling--a pretty good gig, but one that may have prevented him from garnering more attention. At any rate, it's no exaggeration to call the 49-year-old Chicago-based musician one of the ...

367
Album Review

Laurence Hobgood: When The Heart Dances

Read "When The Heart Dances" reviewed by Warren Allen


The old adage of “less is more" shows up more than it should, but every now and then proves itself remarkably apt in the world of music. When The Heart Dances features pianist Laurence Hobgood scaling back the typical rhythm trio to just himself and bass maestro Charlie Haden. And while it's hardly the first time the setup has been tried, it works to great effect with these two.

The result is mellow but nuanced music. An opener like “Que ...

355
Album Review

Laurence Hobgood: When The Heart Dances

Read "When The Heart Dances" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Kurt Elling's long-time pianist, Laurence Hobgood, is no stranger to leading a recording session. He has released four previous recordings on Naim Jazz in the last 10 years. He is a durable pianist, a bit of a cross between Red Garland and George Winston, with a smidge of Bill Evans thrown in for seasoning. On When the Heart Dances, Hobgood duets with bassist Charlie Haden and is joined by Elling on three of the eleven selections.

The jazz duet is ...

214
Album Review

John Moulder: Trinity

Read "Trinity" reviewed by John Kelman


While it's possible to overstate the importance of parallel careers, it's difficult to avoid touching on the subject when it comes to John Moulder. The ordained priest has also managed an active musical career in Chicago as a guitarist, most notably as a member of ex-Pat Metheny Group drummer Paul Wertico's trio for the past 12 years. It's easy to forget Moulder's spiritual leanings on albums like Spirit Talk (Naim, 2003), a standards-based duo record with vibraphonist Ken Hall. But ...

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Interview

Wait For It... Here Comes Mr. Hobgood

Read "Wait For It... Here Comes Mr. Hobgood" reviewed by R.J. DeLuke


Laurence Hobgood is one of the finest pianists out there. Period. Why he's not better known is probably a combination of factors in the unstable and schizophrenic world of show business.But his time is coming.He may be relatively unheralded, but it's only a question of time before more people realize his artistry. He's got endless chops, good taste and intelligence. He's also got a creative spirit and isn't afraid to take on the difficult project or ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Laurence Hobgood, three young St. Louis jazz stars come home, COCA goes "Uptown," and more

Jazz this week: Laurence Hobgood, three young St. Louis jazz stars come home, COCA goes "Uptown," and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's calendar of live jazz and creative music in St. Louis includes a visit from a fine veteran pianist, a homecoming gig for three St. Louis natives who have earned international recognition, a dance production with live music paying tribute to the Harlem Renaissance, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, April 5 Pianist Laurence Hobgood and his trio will perform for the first of two nights at Jazz at the Bistro. Known to many jazz fans primarily ...

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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Laurence Hobgood

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Laurence Hobgood

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week, let's take a look at some videos featuring pianist Laurence Hobgood, who's coming to St. Louis to perform with his trio on Wednesday, April 5 and Thursday, April 6 at Jazz at the Bistro. Known widely for his more than 20 years as musical director for singer Kurt Elling, Hobgood split from Elling at the end of 2013 to concentrate on his own music. Since then, he's been involved in a variety of projects, playing solo, with his ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: The Bad Plus Plays Stravinsky, Marty Ehrlich's Rites Quartet, the Brubeck Brothers, Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, and More

Jazz This Week: The Bad Plus Plays Stravinsky, Marty Ehrlich's Rites Quartet, the Brubeck Brothers, Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The good news is that it's another busy week for jazz and creative music in St. Louis, including some very attractive free events. The bad news is that, absent time travel, cloning or some other fictional technology that doesn't exist, it's probably impossible for one person to hear it all. Nevertheless, to help you decide which shows are worth checking out, here are StLJN's picks for the week. Tonight, Dizzy Atmosphere plays swing and Gypsy jazz at The Shaved Duck, ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman, Frank Stemper and Altgeld Chamber Players, Erika Johnson, and More

Jazz This Week: Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman, Frank Stemper and Altgeld Chamber Players, Erika Johnson, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This week's schedule of jazz and creative music in St. Louis features a variety of sounds, including what amounts to a mini-festival of piano players at Jazz at the Bistro, with the two out-of-town participants bringing along top tenor saxophonists. Let's go to the highlights... Tonight, pianist Laurence Hobgood leads a quartet at Jazz at the Bistro for one night only, featuring tenor sax great Ernie Watts as special guest. Hobgood is best known for his long association with Kurt ...

14

Interview

Jazz Quartet Gives Pianist A Chance To Shine

Jazz Quartet Gives Pianist A Chance To Shine

Source: Ted Ricci

Some jazz artists spend much of their careers without hitting it big, only to finally emerge into the spotlight and enjoy the recognition they deserved all along. Duke Ellington was a brilliant bandleader and composer, but it was arranger Billy Strayhorn who wrote “Chelsea Bridge," “Lush Life" and “Take the 'A' Train." And guitarist Pat Metheny might not have arrived at such a successful fusion of jazz and rock without pianist and collaborator Lyle Mays. Until recently, Laurence Hobgood has ...

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Performance / Tour

Ernie Watts Joining Laurence Hobgood for Bistro Gig on Thursday, April 5

Ernie Watts Joining Laurence Hobgood for Bistro Gig on Thursday, April 5

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

This just in: Veteran saxophonist Ernie Watts (pictured) will join pianist Laurence Hobgood for the latter's previously announced performance on Thursday, April 5 at Jazz at the Bistro. Watts has played with Hobgood in singer Kurt Elling's band, and also is known for his work as a solo artist and with Charlie Haden's Quartet West, the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa, and many others. Performing with Hobgood and Watts will be bassist Matthew Rybicki, whose credits include work with Wynton Marsalis ...

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Performance / Tour

Laurence Hobgood to Perform Thursday, April 5 at Jazz at the Bistro

Laurence Hobgood to Perform Thursday, April 5 at Jazz at the Bistro

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

The Chicago-based pianist Laurence Hobgood (pictured), best known as the long-time accompanist to singer Kurt Elling, is coming to St. Louis with his own quartet to perform at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Thursday, April 5 at Jazz at the Bistro. Hobgood has served as musical director for Elling since 1995 and “has played on, composed/arranged for and co-produced all of Elling's CDs, each Grammy-nominated." Their 2009 release Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music Of Coltrane and Hartman ...

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Performance / Tour

Pianist Laurence Hobgood and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling join the C-U Symphony

Pianist Laurence Hobgood and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling join the C-U Symphony

Source: All About Jazz

The Champaign-Urbana Symphony Steven Larsen, Music Director/Conductor and The Kurt Elling Jazz Quartet

present

KURT ELLING GOES SYMPHONIC Saturday, March 11, 2006 7:30pm

Foellinger Great Hall Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana

C-U Symphony

Kurt Elling Quartet: Kurt Elling, vocals Laurence Hobgood, piano Robert Amster, bass Kobie Watkins, drums

For Tickets, Call Krannert Ticket Office at 217-333-6280 ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz Brunch featuring Kurt Elling and the Laurence Hobgood Trio

Jazz Brunch featuring Kurt Elling and the Laurence Hobgood Trio

Source: All About Jazz


"Laurence Hobgood is one of the finest pianists out there. Period." --R.J. DeLuke, All About Jazz

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Upside Of Lonely

Vivify Music, Inc.
2020

buy

Tesseterra

Ubuntu Music
2019

buy

Paul Wertico's Drum...

Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.
2009

buy

Trinity

Origin Records
2006

buy

The Upside of Lonely

From: The Upside Of Lonely
By Laurence Hobgood

Exodus

From: Trinity
By Laurence Hobgood

Videos

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