Hubbard's manager, David Weiss, says the musician died on Monday at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Los Angeles. He had been hospitalised since suffering a heart attack last month.

Although he had been in declining health in recent years, Hubbard continued to perform until just a few months ago. Known for both the intensity of his playing, as well as his melodic style, Hubbard's last concert was in June in New York at a party celebrating the release of his final album.

He won a Grammy in 1972 for best jazz performance by a group for the album First Light. -- AP