David “Fathead” Newman knows that his association with Ray Charles extends far beyond the decade he spent on the road with The Genius. They’re tied together through the landmark recordings they made for the Atlantic and ABC/Paramount record labels between 1954 and 1964, and the fusion of gospel, blues and jazz they created together during that period.
And Newman, the bold-toned Texas-bred tenor saxophonist who is now in his 70s, has been musically reminiscing about those innovative years with a new Charles tribute CD, “I Remember Brother Ray” (High Note). (He’s also heard on guitarist John Scofield’s just-released “That’s What I Say” from Verve, also a Charles celebration). He’ll perform with several Denver musicians at Dazzle on Thursday and Friday.
“I learned greatly from the long-standing association with Ray,” Newman told me from his home in upstate New York. “He was totally responsible for launching my career. He introduced me to Atlantic and got me signed on with them.”
Newman went on to record 27 albums for the label by his count, most of them drenched in the emotive blues playing that has become his trademark. One of the more engrossing aspects of “I Remember Brother Ray” is how he never resorts to clichés in his earthy solos. It’s almost like he’s discovering “Drown in My Tears” and “Georgia on My Mind” for the first time, investigating the melodies and chord changes and reinvigorating those (and other) songs attached to Charles’ legacy.
Charles made a number of stylistic turns in his career, from rhythm and blues to jazz and country music. Many of these changes took place while Newman was receiving a paycheck from The Genius. Did Newman ever think that Charles was committing career suicide by potentially alienating his audience?
“I never did question his decisions. He knew what he was doing. I had my doubts, but as it turned out, I was totally wrong,” he said. “So were the owners of Atlantic Records.”
Newman is one of the few jazz musicians whose life has been portrayed in a recent film. Actor Bokeem Woodbine played him in the Jamie Foxx vehicle “Ray.” While Newman appreciated his name being prominently featured in the film, he says that the truth was stretched, for dramatic effect, in more ways than one.
“The ‘Fathead’ character was inaccurate in my opinion,” said Newman, who should know. “He was very brash, and that was nothing like me. And Ray was way into drugs long before he met me.” (A scene in “Ray” depicts Newman introducing Charles to heroin.)
“Directors like to sensationalize and fictionalize. They put the Hollywood touch to it.”
But in terms of the Foxx performance, Newman was stunned. “I felt like it really was Ray (on the screen),” he said.
“Fathead” seems like an unflattering nickname, but Newman has learned to embrace it. He says that it came in the form of an insult from his high school band director in Dallas. It caught on, and having such a unique moniker has its advantages.
“There’s another David Newman, the film composer. When ‘Throw Mama From the Train’ came out, people were congratulating me. So ‘Fathead’ helps to distinguish me from the other David Newmans out there.”
But just a few seconds of one of his heart-wrenching solos indicates that there is only one “Fathead.”
David “Fathead” Newman performs Thursday and Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. at Dazzle, 930 Lincoln St. Call 303-839-5100 for information.
Set list
The Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival kicks off with the Ramsey Lewis Trio on Wednesday at Belly Up, followed by four nights of performances from Isaac Hayes, David Byrne, Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Marcus Miller and Boz Scaggs from Thursday to Sunday at Aspen’s Rio Grande Park. Go to Jazzaspen.com for information. … Breckenridge holds its 21st Annual Genuine Jazz festival Friday through Sunday, with Paul Taylor, Brian Culbertson and more. Go to genuinejazz.com. … Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Band play the Arvada Center’s Outdoor Amphitheater on Saturday. A barbecue dinner is available in addition to the music. Call 720-898-7200. … pianist George Winston soothes the audience of the Boulder Theater July 9.
Bret Saunders’ column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the “KBCO Morning Show,” 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM. His e-mail address is bret_saunders@hotmail.com.
