Larchmont Chronicle Story Archive

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

September 4, 2009

HUBERT LAWS PLAYS FORD THEATER

Suzan Filipek

FLUTIST Hubert Laws with Stevie Wonder earlier this year.

When Hubert Laws first picked up a flute at 16, “I couldn’t make a sound for two days,” he recalls. But when he did, it was an “immediate attraction,” which has turned into a life-long love affair.The flute “has been my constant companion,” says Laws, Rossmore Ave.

Having recently unpacked his bags from a tour in Spain, this fall he heads to the Moscow Russia Jazz Fest.

In between he will play in La Vida Music Festival at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre Sun., Oct., 4 and at the Catalina Bar and Grill Oct. 8.

In his new CD, “Flute Adaptations of Rachmaninoff & Barber” Laws plays his signature blend of combining the classical score with his improvisation.

Born in Houston, he was the second of eight children in a musical family—his father sang in the church choir; his mom played the piano. He began playing the family piano at 5. His roots are in gospel and rhythm and blues. In school band he played the melophone, alto saxophone and clarinet, before finding his favorite instrument.

He went on to Julliard School of Music in New York on a scholarship, practicing by day and playing gigs by night. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and was a member of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera orchestras. He has collaborated with Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin, among others.

He settled in the area 11 years ago to raise his children: Sky, 23, a tennis player; and Ashley, 24, a singer.

Laws plays on his tennis court to relax and is teaching himself Japanese.

When his children were small he wanted them to learn Spanish, so he took up the language. He became so good at it, he was the translator for his four-member band in Seville and at other stops on his recent tour.

Japanese is more challenging, he says. But, the music, as always flows. “It’s like talking.

“I’ve been blessed,” he says.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

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Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.