The Jazz World Suffers an ‘Immeasurable’ Loss with Hamiet Bluiett’s Passing

The YouTube video opens with a man massaging a drum, coaxing a rhythm from the snare. Before long, a bass player adds a steady beat. And, in the background, a saxophonist wearing a blue shirt, gray slacks, and full beard casually joins the session. Jazz enthusiasts around the world would recognize the unassuming musician as Hamiet Bluiett, one of the world’s best baritone saxophonists, who died earlier this month.

“He was one of a kind,” said keyboardist and drummer Ronnie Burrage, who knew and worked with Bluiett. “He also played clarinet. And, his sound on any instrument was distinctly his. But, his baritone was amazing. He commanded this huge sound.”

Although Burrage and Bluiett trace their musical roots to St. Louis, both men eventually headed to New York for its thriving musical scene. Bluiett, who was born in Brooklyn, Illinois, landed in the Big Apple in the early 1960s before joining the Navy where he played in the band. He returned to St. Louis after his military stint. During that time, he formed the Black Artists Group or BAG, a cultural alliance dedicated to music, poetry, and other art forms.

Burrage explained, “Bluiett was already a well-known heavyweight in the jazz industry when I was coming up…and, I used to attend different shows BAG hosted. I come from a musical family, and my uncles are musicians. They got me involved in the Black Artists Group.”

The President and CEO of Jazz STL, one of the country’s most well-known jazz venues, believed BAG played a key role in Bluiett’s early career.

According to Gene Dobbs Bradford, “In St. Louis we have a real strong arts community, and it’s supported by really loyal and supportive patrons. I think that’s what happened with BAG. It wasn’t just musicians, it was poets. There was dance and other art forms. And, that’s probably what produced him.”

Bradford, an accomplished musician in his own right, described Bluiett as “one of the best baritone saxophone players ever.”

“He was one of the most creative artists in jazz and has a body of work that is very substantial. His work with BAG, working with Charles Mingus, with the World Saxophone Quartet, and his own music really set him apart,” Bradford added.

Burrage said his family and Bluiett’s had known each other for years. He has plenty of memories including the time the two toured in Canada and the Bluiett Barbecue Band which fused gospel. But, there will be a void in his life without his friend and colleague.

“The void is because he was such a learned man,” he said. “You could talk to him about anything. He never boasted about how intelligent he was, but when you talked to him, he could talk about anything, And, he would have genuine guidance and knowledge. There’s a void because he was such a well-rounded person.”

A towering giant in the jazz world, Bluiett passed away at age 78 after years of declining health triggered by a stroke. Media outlets around the globe carried the news of his death.

“Bluiett demanded respect. He was a straight shooter. If he didn’t like something that was going down, he would speak on it. That’s what I loved about him,” Burrage said. “There was no pretension. He mentored a lot of musicians like that. He didn’t have time for a lot of musicians who didn’t respect their instruments, their music, or people as human beings.”

At Jazz U, a mentoring program sponsored by Jazz St. Louis for high school students, Bradford said Bluiett served as its leader for a year.

“He loved teaching,” Bradford recalled. “He allowed the students to find their voice.”

“He’s not gone. He’s always with me,” said Barrage. “I hear his voice. I know what he would say in a situation and the strength he’s given me in terms of playing music and as a proud black man. And, so I just keep moving forward.”