Internationally acclaimed jazz musician
My association with jazz came about at an early age. I recall having heard ‘Mood Indigo’ by Duke Ellington when only three years old! I’m now considered to be an internationally renowned instrumentalist, arranger and composer and a leading figure in keeping the spirit of classic jazz alive.
Although my musical taste covers a wide range. I have been a dedicated advocate of classic styles, working throughout my career to present traditional jazz pieces in a contemporary manner. I’ve played with many distinguished jazz leaders in the 1950s and 1960s, including Bobby Hackett, Benny Goodman, Sidney Bechet, Jack Teagarden and Eddie Condon. In the late 1960s, I was an original member of the World’s Greatest Jazz Band, and in the early 70s, of Soprano Summit, a band which gained wide attention. I have performed the classical works for clarinet and my recording of the Brahms & Beethoven Trios received accolades in ’Gramaphone’ magazine.
I’m active in jazz education. I was the first Director of the Smithsonian Jazz Repertory Ensemble and have written for films, including ‘The Cotton Club’.
My autobiography, ‘Music Was Not Enough’, recounts a privileged childhood, pivotal meeting with my mentor, Sidney Bechet in 1946, and performing in his place at the Nice Festival in 1948.
In the mid 80s, my wife, singer Pug Horton and I formed the ’Bechet Legacy’, a tribute to the music of Sidney Bechet. We made numerous recordings with this group and played concerts throughout the world.
I presented the premiere performance of Duke Ellington’s Queen Suite in the presence of royalty. I brought Artie Shaw to London where under his baton I played the Mozart A major Clarinet Concerto and Concerto for Clarinet by Artie Shaw. In 1988 I presented a re-creation of Benny Goodman’s famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert at Carnegie Hall.
I continue to record, mainly for ‘Mat Dombar’s Arbors Records’ and concertise internationally frequently with Pug. I enjoy a great musical relationship with Wynton Marsalis and perform frequently at Jazz At Lincoln Center.
I am thrilled to have received so many honours for my work and still love to practise and perform... My great joy in life is to continue to live with Pug in this beautiful paradise – the true jewel of the Cotswolds.
Bob Wilber
