Jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson has died at the age of 75 at his home in Montara, Calif. Hutcherson's death was confirmed on his official Facebook page. According to the New York Times, Hutcherson died after a longtime battle with emphysema.

Considered a jazz disciple of Lionel Hampton, Hutcherson was best known for his association with Blue Note Records in the 1960s, appearing on acclaimed records by Jackie McClean (Action) and Eric Dolphy (Out to Lunch) as well as issuing his own string of critically acclaimed records in that decade. Components (1965), Stick Up! (1966) and Patterns (1968) are among Hutcherson's most critically acclaimed solo records as a bandleader and featured his collaborations with an array of jazz stars including pianist McCoy Tyner and saxophonist Joe Henderson. His career also featured collaborations with Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard and Renee Rosnes.

In the 1970s, Hutcherson's experimentation with jazz fusion yielded records like 1975's Montara, named after the California town in which he resided. Hutcherson also contributed to the score of the jazz film Round Midnight on which he collaborated with Herbie Hancock in 1986. The film would go on to win an Academy Award for best original score. Hutcherson would return to Blue Note for his 2014 effort Enjoy the View on which he collaborated with David Sanborn after breaking with the label towards the end of the 1970s.