Coming from a family of South Georgia Gospel Singers and musicians, Bob began playing trumpet at age nine after he heard his first Maynard Ferguson Album ("Maynard Ferguson Plays Jazz for Dancing"). The LP was made in 1956; he got it in 1959. "All I can remember about that time is after hearing "Hey There" on that LP, I want to do that!!!" Bob studied with various teachers though most of his High School years. He began playing in bands, combos, and The Columbus(GA)Symphony while still in High School. He studied Music as a Music Major at UGA for three years until he was drafted and then spent nine years in the Navy.
He accepted a job at Hughes Space and Comm in El Segundo, CA because of Navy experiences. He started back playing music in LA in 1979. He met some really great players and singers in LA and became friends with many of the big time music people there. He played in clubs in LA, Anaheim, Sherman Oaks, Long Beach, etc. During his time in California, he finished a BS in Physics at Cal State Fullerton and was in the MS program at USC (University of Southern California). He also studied trumpet with Jim Linahon of Fullerton College and LMP Studios and attended many LA Jazz Workshops and Clinics. He moved back to Georgia in 1991 after becoming fed up with Southern California.
Bob had not played trumpet for thirteen or fourteen years until he met someone that encouraged him to come listen to a Big Band in Atlanta. He went with her one night to a rehearsal and got hooked again. That was three years ago. Since then, he has really gotten back into playing Jazz and Musicals. He even takes trumpet lessons over the Internet with a fine instructor and player, Jeff Purtle! How kewl is that? Bob is a regular with The Usual Suspects and in other Big Bands and several Jazz Combos around Atlanta. "Life is good again!!
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