Remembering Fathead

Saxophonist and flutist David "Fathead" Newman died Tuesday at the age of 75. During his long career, Newman was the saxophone voice of Ray Charles' band, recorded numerous solo albums and played a minor role in Roy Hargrove's RH Factor.

I got to know Newman's music as a student at the University of Idaho where he was a regular at the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. The event boasts performances from the top names in jazz, but to get these artists from New York City to the nightly concerts in Idaho requires a jaunt to the nearest significant airport an hour and a half away. Student drivers, therefore, were a necessary part of the festival experience. I worked the festival in my pre-journalism days as a volunteer driver. For one trip, I somehow landed the plum assignment of driving Newman and his wife to the airport.

I don’t remember much of our in-car conversation. His wife sat in the front seat, and he reclined in the back next to a friend I let ride with us (a fellow saxophone major, he jumped at the chance to meet Newman). For the trip up to the airport, Fathead regaled us with tales of historical jazz figures. In the ensuing years, I drove many other jazz heavyweights, but ferrying Newman around remains my favorite festival experience.

Newman was a friend of the university and a truly entertaining and thoughtful musician. He will be missed.