Jazz Articles

David "Fathead" Newman: Remembering Brother Ray

by Ed Hamilton
May 1, 2005

And the envelope please. The Oscar goes to the other most frequently spoken character name in the film Ray-- “Fathead." The name was eminently prominent with the character portrayed in the academy award nominated film Ray, and was an extraordinary, integral part. The character “Fathead" was a prime figure throughout the film playing baritone sax and alto in Charles' band. David Newman is a soft-spoken, gentle, tenor sax-flute-playing musician who played in Ray Charles' band for 12 years.

He has ...

David Newman: Chillin'

by Douglas Payne
January 1, 2000

Too often soul jazz veterans get locked into their soulful groove and end up as little more than lounge-act versions of themselves. Consider any Hank Crawford disc from the last fifteen years, or Bob Porter's continuing series of pointless Milestone productions. The best you can hope for is a signature sound covering the latest R & B hits.Then there's one of jazz's most soulful players, David “Fathead" Newman, a Crawford ally from the famed Ray Charles ...

David Newman: Lone Star Legend

by Douglas Payne
July 1, 1997

Since his heyday in Ray Charles' horn section in the 50s, David Newman has released two dozen albums of some of the swingin'-est soul jazz ever heard. Even when he flirted with funk in the late 60s and disco in the late 70s, Newman never veered far from the soul that powered his distinctive tenor growl. He has one of the most recognizable and down-n-dirty sounds on flute too. And his soprano playing is one of the most enjoyable sounds ...