As Bobby Hutcherson’s all-star band lays a sizzling foundation behind him, the vibist hits a delightful three-note blues lick, and likes it so much that he plays it again and again. The last time, he hits it so hard that he sends one of his red mallet tips flying into the crowd, which loves it. […]

SAN FRANCISCO—Vibist Bobby Hutcherson seems to belong to no particular era—or, actually, quite a few eras. He is as creative as he is prolific, and after 20 albums for a variety of record companies that‘s saying a lot. His new record, Good Bait, ropes together three generations of jazz musicians and celebrates the arrival of a new jazz label, Orrin Keepnews’ […]