Bobby Hutcherson

Bobby Hutcherson (born January 27, 1941 in Los Angeles) is a jazz vibraphone and marimba player. His vibraphone playing is suggestive of the style of Milt Jackson in its free-flowing melodicism but his sense of harmony and group interaction is thoroughly modern. Hutcherson is the dominant influence on Stefon Harris, who some liken as the Hutcherson of his period.

Initially attracted to more experimental free jazz and post-bop, Hutcherson made early recordings in this style for the Blue Note label with Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy, Andrew Hill, Joe Chambers, and Freddie Hubbard, both as a leader and a sideman. His later recordings are more soul jazz or hard bop oriented.