Bob Florence
| Bob Florence | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 20, 1932 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Died |
May 15, 2008 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California United States |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, arranger |
| Instruments | Piano |
Bob Florence (May 20, 1932 – May 15, 2008) was an American jazz arranger and pianist.
Biography
Florence began taking piano lessons at five and initially intended to be a concert pianist. His direction changed when he was exposed to jazz at Los Angeles City College.
At the beginning of his career, Florence worked as a pianist and arranger with Dave Pell. He founded his first band in the late 1950s, working with, amongst others, Herb Geller, Bud Shank, Frank Capp and Bob Enevoldsen. Florence later participated in big band projects in the Los Angeles area, working mainly with session musicians and as an accompanist to various singers. Throughout his career, Florence worked as an arranger for Harry James, Louie Bellson, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Count Basie and Doc Severinsen.
In 2000, Florence won the Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance. He died of pneumonia, at the age of 75, in Los Angeles, California.[1]
Florence took time in his later years to pass on his knowledge at summer jazz camps such as Centrum in Port Townsend, Washington. He'd teach master classes, arranging, do live performances with other masters such as acclaimed trombonist Jiggs Whigham and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and rehearse combos and big bands filled with young players who would normally not have the opportunity to be taught and inspired by someone with the credentials and experience that Florence had.
Discography
As leader
- Meet The Bob Florence Trio (Era, 1956)
- Name Band: 1959 (Carlton/Fresh Sound, 1958) -with Herbie Harper, Bob Enevoldsen, Herb Geller
- Bongos / Reeds / Brass (HiFi/Essential Media Group, 1960) -with Herbie Harper, Gene Estes, Frank Capp
- Here And Now! (Bold, Swinging Big Band Ideas) (Liberty/Fresh Sound, 1964) -with Herbie Harper, Bill Perkins, Frank Capp
- Pet Project: The Bob Florence Big Band Plays Pet Clark Hits (World Pacific, 1967)
- Live At Concerts By The Sea (Trend, 1979)
- Westlake (Discovery, 1981)
- Soaring (Bosco/Sea Breeze, 1982)
- Magic Time (Trend, 1983)
- The Norwegian Radio Big Band Meets Bob Florence (Odin, 1986)
- Trash Can City (Trend, 1987)
- State Of The Art (USA Music Group, 1988)
- Treasure Chest (USA Music Group, 1990)
- Funupsmanship [live] (MAMA, 1992)
- With All The Bells And Whistles (MAMA, 1995)
- Earth (MAMA, 1996)
- Serendipity 18 (MAMA, 1998)
- Another Side (MAMA, 2000)
- Whatever Bubbles Up (Summit, 2002)
- Friends, Treasures, Heroes (Summit, 2005)
- Eternal Licks & Grooves (MAMA, 2006)
- You Will Be My Music (MAMA, 2007) -with Annette Sanders
- Legendary (MAMA, 2008)
As arranger/conductor
With Count Basie
- Basie on the Beatles (Happy Tiger, 1969)
With Louie Bellson
- The Brilliant Bellson Sound (Verve, 1959)
- Big Band Jazz from the Summit (Verve, 1962)
With Joe Pass
- A Sign of the Times (World Pacific, 1965)
With Bud Shank
- California Dreamin' (World Pacific, 1966)
- Michelle (World Pacific, 1966)
- Bud Shank & the Sax Section (Pacific Jazz, 1966)
- Bud Shank Plays Music from Today's Movies (World Pacific, 1967)
As sideman
With Bud Shank
- Girl in Love (World Pacific, 1966)
See also
References
- ↑ Schudel, Matt (25 May 2008). "Bob Florence; Eclectic Bandleader, Arranger Revered by Jazz Fans". The Washington Post.