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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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Jazz and Poetry: Benjamin Boone, Laurence Hobgood, Jane Ira Bloom, Matt Wilson
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 ...
read moreLaurence Hobgood: Tesseterra
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 ...
read moreLaurence Hobgood: When the Heart Dances
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 ...
read moreLaurence Hobgood: When The Heart Dances
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 ...
read moreLaurence Hobgood: When The Heart Dances
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 ...
read moreJohn Moulder: Trinity
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 ...
read moreWait For It... Here Comes Mr. Hobgood
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 ...
read moreJazz this week: Laurence Hobgood, three young St. Louis jazz stars come home, COCA goes "Uptown," and more
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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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StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Laurence Hobgood
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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 ...
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Jazz This Week: The Bad Plus Plays Stravinsky, Marty Ehrlich's Rites Quartet, the Brubeck Brothers, Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, and More
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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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Jazz This Week: Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman, Frank Stemper and Altgeld Chamber Players, Erika Johnson, and More
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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 ...
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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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Ernie Watts Joining Laurence Hobgood for Bistro Gig on Thursday, April 5
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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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Laurence Hobgood to Perform Thursday, April 5 at Jazz at the Bistro
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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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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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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
The Upside of Lonely
From: The Upside Of LonelyBy Laurence Hobgood
Exodus
From: TrinityBy Laurence Hobgood