The Canadian trombonist, pianist and composer/bandleader Hugh Fraser has died at the age of just 61. He had been grappling with cancer over three years.
Tributes that have been written in the days since he passed away have drawn attention to his great enthusiasm and positivity. Christine Jensen, also originally from British Columbia, has described him as a “comet of energy.” And saxophonist Steve Kaldestad has written: “When Hugh played trombone or piano, he would give it 200% and just dive right into the music with all the mental and physical energy in the universe. He passed on his ideas about musical theory (and the Fibonacci sequence!) with just as much passion. Think of how many Canadians appreciate the great Kenny Wheeler that might not have if it hadn’t been for Hugh.”
He was an important musician in Canadian jazz, but also had significant involvement with the scenes in New York, London and Cuba where his fine musicianship, versatility and affable good nature have left their mark.
The son of a percussionist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, he grew up in the city. He had a strong association with the Banff Centre of Fine Arts in Alberta where his successive roles ran the gamut from student to faculty member and ultimately head of the jazz program. In the early 2000s he also had teaching posts at the University of Victoria and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. As bandleader, the Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation that he formed in 1980 kept going for more than four decades. His quintet was another long-term feature, and its albums won Juno Awards in 1989 and 1998. A feature of his quintets was that not just Fraser himself but also another player would switch from blowing instrument to piano. As a composer he had over 100 of his original works recorded.
Hugh Fraser. Publicity photo
A brilliant tribute to an outstanding (fellow Canadian) artiste. Hugh Fraser was a stunning performer and a national (and international) treasure who leaves a gaping hole in the jazz world. It was always a treat to watch him perform – a virtuoso on both trombone and piano – and his ability as an educator was awesome to behold: My son (the trumpeter Jay Phelps) was fortunate to have attended a high school with a strong focus on jazz and when Hugh, alongside several other British Colombian jazz luminaries visited to deliver master classes, I recall being amazed at how he connected and inspired.
Shortly before moving to the U.K. Jay and I visited his beautiful, waterfront home on Vancouver Island where he and his family enjoyed boating, music and endless partying. RIP Hugh – thanks for showing us how it’s done.
Danielle White