Alan Rubin (February 11, 1943 – June 8, 2011), also known as Mr. Fabulous, was an American musician. He played trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
Early life and education
Rubin was born in
Brooklyn. He began attending Juilliard School of Music in New York when he was 17 and studied with William Vacchiano, who was principal trumpet in the New York Philharmonic. Vacchiano described Rubin as his best student.
While at Juilliard, Rubin was invited to play with
Paul Hindemith on his last concert tour of the United States, but Rubin chose instead to play with
Peggy Lee at the Village Vanguard. Rubin dropped out of Juilliard at 20 to tour with singer
Robert Goulet as his lead trumpet player.
Career
Rubin was a member of the Saturday Night Live Band, with whom he played at the Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games. As a member of The Blues Brothers, he portrayed Mr. Fabulous in the 1980 film, the 1998 sequel and was a member of the touring band. In the first film, Rubin's character is maitre d' at an expensive restaurant before Jake and Elwood persuade him to rejoin the band. The nickname "Mr Fabulous" was given to Rubin by
John Belushi.
Rubin played with an array of artists, such as Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, Duke Ellington, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Gil Evans, Eumir Deodato, Sting, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Miles Davis, Yoko Ono, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, and Dr. John. Rubin contributed to over 6000 recording sessions.
Rubin's last performance was with The Blues Brotherhood (Blues Brothers tribute show) at B.B. King's in New York City on October 12, 2010. The performance also featured Tom "Bones" Malone and Lou "Blue Lou" Marini.
Death
Rubin died from lung cancer on June 8, 2011, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.
Discography
With Patti Austin
With Gato Barbieri
With George Benson
With The Blues Brothers
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Briefcase Full of Blues (Atlantic, 1978)
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The Blues Brothers (Atlantic, 1980)
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Made in America (Atlantic, 1980)
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The Blues Brothers Band Live in Montreux (Atlantic, 1990)
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Red, White & Blues (Turnstyle, 1992)
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Blues Brothers 2000 (Universal, 1998)
With Hue and Cry
With Jimmy Buffett
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Off to See the Lizard (MCA, 1989)
With Ron Carter
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Anything Goes (Kudu, 1975)
With Stanley Clarke
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School Days (album) (Nemperor, 1976)
With Linda Clifford
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I'll Keep On Loving You (Capitol, 1982)
With Hank Crawford
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Wildflower (Kudu, 1973)
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I Hear a Symphony (Kudu, 1975)
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Mr. Chips (Milestone Records, 1986)
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Night Beat (Milestone, 1989)
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Groove Master (Milestone, 1990)
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Tight (Milestone, 1996)
With Sheena Easton
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No Sound But a Heart (EMI, 1987)
With Donald Fagen
With Aretha Franklin
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Get It Right (Arista, 1983)
With Gloria Gaynor
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Experience Gloria Gaynor (MGM, 1975)
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I've Got You (Polydor, 1976)
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Glorious (Polydor, 1977)
With Johnny Hammond
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Higher Ground (Kudu, 1973)
With Levon Helm
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Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars (ABC, 1977)
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Levon Helm (ABC, 1978)
With Jennifer Holliday
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Say You Love Me (Geffen, 1985)
With Cissy Houston
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Think It Over (Private Stock, 1978)
With Jackie and Roy
With Garland Jeffreys
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One-Eyed Jack (A&M, 1978)
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Guts for Love (Epic, 1982)
With Billy Joel
With Hubert Laws
With O'Donel Levy
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Simba (Groove Merchant, 1974)
With Fred Lipsius
With Herbie Mann
With Jimmy McGriff
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Red Beans (Groove Merchant, 1976)
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Tailgunner (LRC, 1977)
With Sinéad O'Connor
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Am I Not Your Girl? (Chrysalis, 1992)
With Yoko Ono
With Lou Reed
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Sally Can't Dance (RCA, 1974)
With Don Sebesky
With Carly Simon
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Hello Big Man (Warner Bros., 1983)
With Paul Simon
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Graceland (Warner Bros., 1986)
With Lonnie Smith
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Keep on Lovin' (Groove Merchant, 1976)
With Phoebe Snow
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Never Letting Go (Columbia, 1977)
With Ringo Starr
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Ringo's Rotogravure (Polydor, 1976)
With James Taylor
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Walking Man (Warner Bros., 1974)
With Tina Turner
With Stanley Turrentine
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Nightwings (Fantasy, 1977)
With Frankie Valli
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Closeup (Private Stock 1975)
With Randy Weston
With Jim Steinman'
With Frank Sinatra'
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L.A. Is My Lady (Quest, 1984; rereleased, 2004, Frank Sinatra Enterprises))
Filmography
External links