Just heard this...

On January 20, 2009, Newman died from complications of pancreatic cancer.

 What a drag. It was a thrill playing in the HPMA Big Band  backing up Fathead (at the last Kemah Jazz Festival). What a SOULFUL player. I remember hearing him at LaBastille way back in the '70s. Rest in peace...

 God rest his soul and lord almighty this cat HAD soul

 Aw, man... I was having a pretty good day up till now. What a drag.. I was actually supposed to see him next week in Dallas.

Yeah, he had a lor of soul, a lot of brains, a lot of heart. I always thought he had one of the prettiest tenor sounds I ever heard. I'm really glad we got to play with him at Kemah last year. Considering his advanced age it occurred to me that it could be the last time. He played beautifully, though, no evidence of his age. I'll miss him greatly.

 Awww ... man...

He was a really nice guy and great, historic player.

RIP Fathead!!!!

 Very sad news.  I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to hear him play at Kemah. 

I will always remember telling my teen-age son that he would be playing at the festival, and him responding "He's a real person?  I thought that he was a fictional character in RAY (a movie he enjoyed a lot)."  I was pleased to be able to set him straight on that point.

He was also very gracious while signing CD's after his performance.

RIP

Almost forgot I had these....  Fathead at Kemah 2008.

http://forestphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/3579772_2rEvN

 Nice shots Pin.

Sorry to hear this news.  I had heard he was very ill.
I remember the very first day I laid eyes on Fathead - in Dallas in late 50s, at one of the legendary Sunday jam sessions at Woodmen's Hall, near Fair Park (I was in high school).  I recall that, even though a jam session, he was dressed *sharp.*  This was the height of his Ray Charles days, and he was really on that day.
I had him at HSPVA once (maybe 1981), and heard him many times over the years, and played w. him a few times; once, memorably, at Summer Jazz Workshop (late 70s; I remember that was the first time I was *really* attracted to his flute playing).
Anyone remember him being featured at Astrodome Jazz Festival w. Herbie Mann?  Maybe 1973.
R. I. P.

 Great pics, Pin! (as always...)  I hope he saw them?

 gosh... that's a good question, doc. I don't even know if copies of those were ever sent to him....

 Oh no! One of my all-time fav's. When I was a kid I used to see Fathead play with Ray Charles all the time with Don Wilkerson and Hank Crawford. My first band when I was in Jr high school used to play Hard Times for our break tune, we thought we were so cool. Back in the 80's Derrick Lewis did a European tour with Fathead and Fathead's son played drums. Recently I aquired a DVD of Ray Charles live in Brazil 1963, that features the horn section in their prime. I really liked Fathead's recent CD with MacArthur Park on it.

RIP Fathead

 Story Malcom Pinson told me about playing with Fathead. Pinson had
hired the band and Erin Wright was playing bass. Fathead looked over
and saw this little young lady on the acoustic bass ....

Fathead gave Pinson a look, and Pinson said, "She can play."

Midway thru the first song, Fathead looked over at Pinson in approval of Erin's playing.

Always loved that story!

How Sad!
I just adored his talent and what a nice person to top it off. One of my all time favorite tunes of his is "Goldfinger" o/o City Scape. I chill when those accent horns come in. What a great player. Was fortunate to meet and talk with him at the long lost but never forgotten Kemah Jazz Festival 2007. I will miss him.