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David "Fathead" Newman


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Jazz musician David 'Fathead' Newman dies at 75

 

Wed Jan 21, 11:49 pm ET

 

KINGSTON, N.Y. – David "Fathead" Newman, a jazz musician who played with the Ray Charles Band and won fame as a tenor sax soloist, has died at age 75.

 

Newman played and recorded with a wide range of jazz and soul luminaries, such as Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin and Aaron Neville. He also led a successful solo career.

 

He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1990 for his work with Art Blakey and Dr. John.

 

Manager Karen Nemman says the jazz musician died Tuesday of pancreatic cancer in a Kingston, N.Y., hospital.

 

According to his Web site, Newman spent 12 years with the Ray Charles Band beginning in 1954. He began as the baritone sax player and became the star tenor sax soloist.

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Figured I'd give this one a bump.

 

Fathead deserves to be remembered and recognized here.

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I remember Fathead used to sit in with the World's Most Dangerous Band a lot in the late '80s when Letterman was on NBC.

 

Unfortunately, aside from his work backing up Ray Charles that's about all the exposure I ever had to his playing.

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He actually had a pretty significant career as a jazz player...

 

LouieB

 

Yeah, I used to see his records a lot when I used to frequent the local jazz bins. I always passed them up though. I'm not sure why. I'll check some of his records out next chance I get.

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Yeah, I used to see his records a lot when I used to frequent the local jazz bins. I always passed them up though. I'm not sure why. I'll check some of his records out next chance I get.

I gotta be honest, I never have given him much serious thought as a jazz guy either. He certainly doesn't appear to be a top tier jazz musician, but I guess he was good enough to make a bunch of albums.

 

LouieB

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