Freddie Hill

Freddie Hill (born 18 April 1932) is an American trumpet player and arranger born in Jacksonville, Florida. He initially studied the cello and piano before taking up the trumpet.

Hill attended Florida A&M University on a music scholarship for four years, followed by two years of service in the United States Army, during which he collaborated with musicians such as the Adderley brothers. After his discharge, he relocated to California to undertake graduate studies at Los Angeles State College.

During the 1960s and early 1970s, Hill was active within the Los Angeles music scene, where he frequently worked as an arranger and studio musician. His professional associations included performances and recordings with Gerald Wilson and Earl Bostic. Although his opportunities as a jazz soloist were limited by the demands of steady studio work, he is heard on Leroy Vinnegar’s album Leroy Walks Again!! and Buddy DeFranco’s Blues Bag, the latter of which also featured Curtis Fuller and Art Blakey. His work with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra also involved collaborations with Matthews, Nelson, and H.B. Barnum.Hill departed the Los Angeles music industry in 1971.

Following his departure from the active studio scene, his career was noted for a shift away from high-profile jazz performance.

According to archival notes from Jazz Profiles, he moved to the desert following his marriage and largely faded from the professional jazz scene.

At the time of writing, currently managed by his estate, Hill’s musical contributions remain documented through historical jazz archives and discographies such as Discogs and WBSS Media. Current business activities focus on the digital preservation and licensing of his mid-century jazz recordings, including his work with the Lou Blackburn Quintet. There are no new production projects scheduled for the current year, though his work continues to be featured in archival jazz compilations focusing on the West Coast jazz era.