In 1986, Fabrik—or Factory—stood on the west side of Hamburg, Germany, in the Altona district. Back then, the former machine-parts plant was a cultural center frequented by young people in the left-wing eco-movement and by those on the right, depending on what was on the bill at the performance space. Sometimes the two groups converged when the performers appealed to both. As a result, Fabrik's programs were often highly diverse, ranging from pop and ska to punk and jazz. Fabrik still stands and operates at its original location in the city. [Photo above of Fabrik]
On June 18, 1986, the McCoy Tyner-Freddie Hubbard Quartet performed there, with Tyner on piano, Hubbard on trumpet and flugelhorn, Avery Sharpe on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. The live recording has just been issued as Live at Fabrik, Hamburg 1986 by Germany's Jazzline Classics label as part of its NDR Kultur series. We can thank Thomas Engel, who was responsible for Fabrik's programming, and Horst Dietrich, Fabrik's late owner, for the hair-raising music. I'm guessing the set was originally taped by the Northern German Broadcasting Corp. (NDR) for radio broadcast and someone recently found the reels and among many others recorded there.
Nine pieces were performed that night, including Tyner’s Inner Glimpse and Latino Suite, Hubbard’s Neo-Terra, and lengthy explorations of the standards Body and Soul and 'Round Midnight. The live performance by Tyner and Hubbard is extraordinary, and the fidelity is rather stunning. It sounds as if this quartet is in your room playing for you. There doesn't seem to be any ambient noise or muffled sonics. The only way you know it's live is from the audience reactions. [Photo above of Fabrik's interior and stage]
Among the highlights are, Latino Suite, a trio performance by Tyner, Sharpe and Hayes. First recorded on June 7, 1986 for Tyner's Double Trios album, the piece is a powerful showcase for the pianist's stormy keyboard attack and his hypnotic rolling solos that seem to use every note in the lower register.
Body and Soul opens with Hubbard playing a sterling intro to Stardust before the group joins and surprises the audience with a switch to the standard at hand. The trumpeter is absolutely gorgeous here, supported by the trio's meaty comping before Sharpe jumps in for a bass solo. [Photo above of McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard in 1961 by Francis Wolff (c)Mosaic Images]
Neo-Terra is a free-for-all in blizzard conditions as each of the four musicians tear off in separate directions. Island Birdie is a spirited calypso, with Tyner this time using every key on the piano, from the tippy top to the basement ivories.
The tempo on 'Round Midnight is interesting, with Tyner playing in double time underneath Hubbard's standard-paced melody line and blistering solo. Sharpe and Tyner take strong solos as well.
Tyner's Blues for Basie was first recorded in 1985 on the pianist's Just Feelin' album. Count Basie had died in 1984, and Tyner and Hubbard pay tribute to the Count's minimalist beauty. But their spare playing lasts only so long before both musicians lean in and put their shoulders to the wheel for a more roiling Count send-off.
And finally, there's What Is This Thing Called Love. It's an uptempo rendition that's sprayed rather than played, almost like a fast-line caricature of the original standard. Since the song is so well known, it's fascinating to hear this drag-race rendition that avoids filling in all the notes.
Freddie Hubbard died in 2008 and McCoy Tyner died in 2020.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find the McCoy Tyner-Freddie Hubbard Quartet's Live at Fabrik, Hamburg 1986 (Jazzline) here.
JazzWax clip: Here's Body and Soul...
And here's the beautiful trio rendition of Latino Suite...
