Freddie Gambrell
Freddie Gambrell (actually Federico Cervantes , born March 21, 1936 in Virginia ; † July 9, 2004 ) was an American jazz musician ( piano , viola , trumpet and other instruments).
Live and act
Gambrell went blind in adolescence; at the age of eleven he learned to play the violin. In the early 1950s, Chico Hamilton became the young pianist's mentor, who also played guitar, bass and brass instruments. Gambrell recorded two albums for World Pacific Records in Los Angeles in 1958 ; the first in a trio with Ben Tucker and Chico Hamilton, the second in a duet with Ben Tucker. The last session for World Pacific was a jazz version of the operetta Der Mikado . From 1965 he appeared under his birth name Federico Cervantes , led a sextet and recorded as a pianist and trumpeter.
The six albums he recorded with his sextet combine elements of Latin jazz with country music ; his trumpet playing is based on Maynard Ferguson . In the field of jazz, Gambrell took part in six recording sessions between 1958 and 1972. He died in 2004 at the age of 68.
Discographic notes
- Freddie Gambrell with Ben Tucker, bass
- Mikado , with Armando Peraza
- Chico Hamilton Introduces Freddie Gambrell
- Federico Cervantes: Smooth Conversation
Web links
- Freddie Gambrell at Allmusic (English)
- Daughter Anna Cervantes' blog
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Gambrell, Freddie |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Cervantes, Federico (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz musician and composer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 21, 1936 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Virginia |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 9, 2004 |