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Fred Hughes
From concerts, recordings and military service in Seoul, Korea to jazz festivals as a Jazz Ambassador; conducting orchestras across the United States as a musical director to recording and producing records as a pianist and leader of his own group; Fred Hughes has had a long and varied musical journey.
Fred began studying keyboards and low brass at the age of 8 and by age 12 was a member of Local 294 of the American Federation of Musicians in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He performed alongside his father in the New Holland and Bainbridge Bands on tuba and in his dad’s jazz group on organ. Professional performances continued with his own organ trio until graduating from high school.
In 1979, Fred enlisted in the United States Army and upon advancing out of the Armed Forces School of Music, was assigned as a tuba player in the First Army Band at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. His keyboard prowess soon had him playing in the duty combo, show band and big band with the First Army Band as well as an organ trio in his off-duty time in the Baltimore/Washington area. He also performed with the UMBC Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Ron Diehl, playing with such guest artists as Al Cohn and Ashley Alexander.
1981 to 1985 was a period of tremendous opportunity for Fred, not only as a member of the Eighth Army Band in Seoul, Korea, but numerous performance opportunities in his free time. As a soldier- musician, he was rising quickly up the ranks, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. His responsibilities included leader of the duty combo, show band, and big band for the Eighth Army Band as well as operations noncommissioned officer; overseeing the booking of the organization.
In his off-duty time, Seoul was becoming a hotbed of jazz activity and Fred was performing almost every night of the week by the time he left Korea. His group, Just Friends, had recorded six albums for the Oasis/EMI label and had become popular across the Korean Peninsula; performing for sold- out houses and to live radio and television audiences. It was through these performance opportunities that Fred had the honor of being chosen to serve as the rehearsal conductor and jazz coach for the MBC Pops Orchestra.
Returning to his native Lancaster in 1985, Fred began performing extensively in a piano trio setting with the group Alternative. Alternative, which included Harrisburg legend Sammy Banks on drums and the formidable J.J. Wiggins, now Hassan Shakur on bass. Alternative was in demand in the Central Pennsylvania area and was the house band at what is now the Eden Resort Inn in Lancaster.
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Fred Hughes Trio: I'll Be Home For Christmas
by Geannine Reid
What would Christmas be without that familiar holiday sound scape of songs of yesterday? Well thankfully we will not have to find out, because jazz pianist Fred Hughes has released I'll Be Home for Christmas which is a set of 11 memorable classics that never grow old and will be a great addition to the holiday collection. What makes Hughes collection unique is his arrangements and hard swinging playing. The CD features Fred Hughes on piano, Amy Shook on bass ...
read moreFred Hughes: No Turning Back
by Dave Nathan
Pianist Fred Hughes takes classic pop and jazz standards (interspersed with his original material) and puts them in a modern framework. The ability to do this is both a credit to the music and to the performer. The music because it needs to be able to sustain a contemporary interpretation and the musician because he can play this familiar material in such a way as to retain the interest of listeners who may be used to hearing them played differently. ...
read moreJazz Alive Swings Into 2021 With A New Season Of Jazz Tales
Source:
Jazz Alive
Jazz Alive, a Talbot County, Maryland based 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to the continuation and preservation of America’s indigenous art form, announces the lineup for a new season of their popular live YouTube show, Jazz Tales. Presented in an intimate setting that spotlights each musician's unique musical and personal tale, the show is hosted by Jazz Alive Founder, Pianist Fred Hughes. The hour and fifteen-minute show features live performances and interviews with invited guests who are masters of this great ...
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Jazz Alive Announces Lineup for Jazz Tales, Season 2
Source:
All About Jazz
After a successful Session #1 which included bassists Paul Langosch, Michael Bowie, Herman Burney, and Tommy Cecil, Jazz Alive is pleased to announce the lineup for the next session of Jazz Tales. “We are excited to present each of these artist’s unique stories and tales from their years in the business,” said Fred Hughes, Founder and President of Jazz Alive. About Jazz Tales Presented by Jazz Alive, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, Jazz Tales is a weekly live-stream concert supporting Jazz ...
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“He has the technical ability, the deftness of touch, and full control of the instrument in the manner laid down by such keyboard giants as Art Tatum, Errol Garner and Oscar Peterson.” AllAboutJazz.com, No Turning Back CD Review
"Hughes possesses that ever elusive combination of heart and technique, well done maestro, well done." Carmel Desoto, NoDepression.com review of I'll Be Home For Christmas
"Hughes really displays a command of the keys that is spectacular in his control of harmony and sense of time." Geannine Reid, All About Jazz.com review of I'll Be Home For Christmas