In 1961, still only 23 years old, but with tremendous experience, Hubbard replaced Lee Morgan in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers . With Wayne Shorter he created the frontline that some feel was Blakey's finest. He left later that year to found his own group; this included pianist Kenny Barron , whose bluesy yet lush sound was to provide over the coming decades a frequent complement to Hubbard's fiery trumpet.
Between 1962 and 1965, Hubbard released three albums that rank among...