Laurence Hobgood
Laurence Hobgood began formal piano study at age 6 in Dallas, TX where his father was chairman of the SMU theater program. At age 12 he was introduced to Blues music through his family's church. Several years later, after moving to Illinois, he began formal training in Jazz music. He attended the University of Illinois where he played for three years in the A jazz ensemble led by John Garvey. During that time his classical study continued with Ian Hobson.
After moving to Chicago in 1988, he established a local presence leading his own quintet and joining forces with some of Chicago's premier players like Ed Peterson, Fareed Haque, and most importantly Paul Werlico. The group Trio New, with Hobgood, Wertico, and bassist Eric Hochberg, played to critical acclaim and established a serious connection with Wertico that spans many projects and ensembles.
Hobgood received three consecutive fellowships to perform in the Aspen Music Festival's 90, 91 and 92 seasons. There he played with Clark Terry, Gary Burton, Eddie Daniels, Sheila Jordon, Bob Mintzer, and Mark Whitfield among others.
In 1993 Hobgood met vocalist Kurt Elling and began a collaboration which resulted in Elling's signing with the storied Blue Note label; with Hobgood as his co-producer and musical director Elling received Grammy nominations for each of his first three Blue Note releases. The two of them were named 1995 Chicagoans of the year in the Arts by the Chicago Trbune
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Radio & Podcasts
Album Review
- Tesseterra by Roger Farbey
- When the Heart Dances by Joel Roberts
- When The Heart Dances by Warren Allen
- When The Heart Dances by C. Michael Bailey
- Trinity by John Kelman
Interview
Read more articlesApril 06, 2017
Jazz this week: Laurence Hobgood, three young St. Louis jazz stars come...
March 26, 2017
StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Laurence Hobgood
October 03, 2013
Jazz This Week: The Bad Plus Plays Stravinsky, Marty Ehrlich's Rites...
April 05, 2012
Jazz This Week: Laurence Hobgood and Ernie Watts, Brad Mehldau and...
March 29, 2012
Jazz Quartet Gives Pianist A Chance To Shine
March 03, 2012
Ernie Watts Joining Laurence Hobgood for Bistro Gig on Thursday, April 5
February 01, 2012
Laurence Hobgood to Perform Thursday, April 5 at Jazz at the Bistro
March 08, 2006
Pianist Laurence Hobgood and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling join the C-U...
August 07, 2002
Jazz Brunch featuring Kurt Elling and the Laurence Hobgood Trio
Photos
Albums
The Upside of Lonely
From: The Upside Of LonelyBy Laurence Hobgood
Exodus
From: TrinityBy Laurence Hobgood