Bob Scobey

Robert Alexander Scobey Jr. (December 9, 1916 – June 12, 1963) was an American jazz musician. He was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and died in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

He began his career playing in dance orchestras and nightclubs in the 1930s. In 1938, he worked as second trumpeter for Lu Watters in the Yerba Buena Jazz Band. By 1949, he was leading his own band under the name Bob Scobey's Frisco Band. From 1950 the group continued to play a three-year residency at the Victor & Roxie's, where their popularity grew. Clancy Hayes joined the band to sing, play banjo and had his own compositions such as "Huggin' and a Chalkin'" recorded. The collaboration recorded over two hundred tracks until he left in 1959 to follow a solo career.

The Frisco Band was broadcast in 1952 and 1953 on Rusty Draper's television show. In 1953, Louis Armstrong sang with them at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. From 1954-57, African-American blues singer Lizzie Miles recorded and toured with the band.[1]

In 1955, Scobey and his band played dates at San Quentin Prison and at the Rancho Grande in Lafayette, California—a sizable roadhouse with a dance floor.[2] In 1957 he recorded for Verve Records and RCA Victor. An important and successful album for RCA was Bing with a Beat recorded with Bing Crosby in 1957. From early in 1956, he toured colleges and universities, and in 1958 he recorded many of the student favorites in New York, the album College Classics (RCA Victor LPM 1700).[3]

In 1959 Scobey opened the Club Bourbon Street, Chicago. While touring in 1960, he was reportedly drinking half and half or heavy cream to ease the pain in his stomach.[4]

Death

Scobey died of cancer in 1963 in Montreal, Canada. His wife Jan produced a biography entitled He Rambled! and arranged for his band to form again and record some blues songs. She also saw to the reissuing of his albums.

References
  1. Scobey, Jan (1976). He Rambled!. Pal Pub. p. 108. ISBN 0-918104-01-7.
  2. He Rambled!, pp. 81, 86.
  3. He Rambled!, pp. 98-100, 311.
  4. He Rambled!, pg. 250.

Sources

  • Carr, I, Fairweather D, Priestley, P. (2000). Jazz: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 1-85828-528-3
  • Ertegün, Nesuhi. (1952). Bob Frisco's Band Part II [Album]. Good Time Jazz.


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