b. Hubert Laws, 10th November 1939, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
Hubert is the brother of Debra Laws, Eloise Laws and Ronnie Laws.
He originally studied piano, but his high-school band required a flute player so Hubert learned this instrument instead.
His professional engagements began in 1954 after he joined a local jazz group.
In the six years he played with them, they changed their name from The Nite Hawks to The Swingsters and then The Modern Jazz Sextet before becoming The Jazz Crusaders in 1960.
Upon his departure the group became The Crusaders.
Hubert also studied classical flute and played as a soloist with the Houston Youth Symphony Orchestra before he moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and found work with artists including Mongo Santamaria, Lena Horne, Arthur Prysock and Sergio Mendes.
As a solo recording artist he spent a brief period with Blue Note Records before recording three albums for the CTI label, 'The Chicago Theme' (1975), 'Afro Classic' (1976), and 'The San Francisco Concerts' (1977).
The latter album was released just after he had signed to CBS Records where his first album was 'Romeo And Juliet' (1976).
Appealing to UK jazz funk fans, his later albums include 'California Suite' (a soundtrack album with Composer / pianist Claude Bollins, 1978), Say It With Silence' (1978), 'Land Of Passion' (1979), including 'We're In Ecstasy', 'Family' (1980), featuring his sister Debra Laws on the title track, 'How To Beat The High Cost Of Living' (a soundtrack album with Earl Klugh, 1980) and 'Make It Last' (1983).
His wife is the sister of Cheryl Cooley of the group Klymaxx, and Hubert at one time gave Cheryl guitar lessons!
Hubert has also recorded with artists including Roberta Flack ('Chapter Two'), Norman Connors ('Slewfoot'), Alphonse Mouzon ('Morning Sun'), Bob James ('Touchdown'), Sarah Vaughan ('Brazilian Romance'), Patrice Rushen ('Before The Dawn'), and Charles Earland.
Albums:
The Laws of Jazz (Rhino 1964)
Flute By-Laws (Atlantic 1965)
Laws' Cause (Atlantic 1969)
Afro Classic (Columbia 1970)
Crying Song (Columbia 1970)
The Rite of Spring (Columbia 1971)
Wild Flower (Atlantic 1972)
Morning Star (CTI 1972)
At Carnegie Hall (CTI 1973)
In the Beginning (CTI 1974)
Chicago Theme (CTI 1975)
Romeo and Juliet (Columbia 1976)Afro Classic (CTI 1976)
The San Francisco Concert [live] (Columbia 1977)
California Suite (Columbia 1978)
Say It With Silence (Columbia 1978)
Land of Passion (Columbia 1979)
How to Beat the High Cost of Living (Columbia 1980)
Family (CBS Columbia 1980)
Make It Last (CBS 1983)
My Time Will Come (Music Masters 1990)
Storm Then the Calm (Music Masters 1994)
Remembers the Unforgettable Nat King Cole (RKOR 1998)
