Song of the Day: Little Sunflower, composed by the great jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, was recorded 60 years ago today. It appeared on Hubbard’s 1967 album “Backlash”. A minor-modal vamp combined with Latin rhythm creates a meditative mood. The track also features James Spaulding on flute, Albert Dailey on piano, Bob Cunningham on bass, Otis Ray Appleton on drums, and Ray Barretto on percussion. A vocal rendition, with lyrics by Al Jarreau, appears on Hubbard’s 1979 album, “The Love Connection”, arranged by Claus Ogerman, featuring a piano solo by the incomparable Chick Corea. Check out the original Hubbard recording as well as the Al Jarreau vocal reboot [YouTube links].
