Jay Hoggard has had a wide-ranging career. One of the top vibraphonists to emerge during the 1970s, Hoggard originally started on piano and saxophone before switching to vibes. By the early '70s, he was working in New England with such top avant-garde players as Anthony Davis and Leo Smith. Hoggard moved to New York in 1977, where he played with Chico Freeman and Anthony Davis. In 1978, he recorded a solo avant-garde vibes performance, but he followed it up with a more commercial date. Hoggard worked with such greats as Sam Rivers, Cecil Taylor, James Newton, and Kenny Burrell, in addition to leading his own group; he recorded hard bop-oriented dates as a leader for Contemporary, India Navigation, and several for Muse. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide