Bob French
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" French is a United States
jazz
drummer
and a former radio show
host at WWOZ
, from New Orleans, Louisiana
.
French has led The Tuxedo Jazz Band since 1977. (The Tuxedo Jazz Band was formerly led by Oscar "Papa" Celestin and later by French's father, Albert "Papa" French
from 1958 to 1977.)
. He organized an R&B band in high school that included James Booker
, Art Neville
, Charles Neville (of The Neville Brothers
), and Kidd Jordan
, and Alvin Batiste
. In the 1960s he recorded with Earl King
and Fats Domino
. He has also played and recorded with Dave Bartholomew
, who is a relative on his mother's side). Bob French & Friends played often on Frenchmen Street
at the D.B.A. nightclub.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and a former radio show
Radio programming
Radio programming is the Broadcast programming of a Radio format or content that is organized for Commercial broadcasting and Public broadcasting radio stations....
host at WWOZ
WWOZ
WWOZ is a non-profit community-supported radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana broadcasting at 90.7 FM. The station specializes in music from or relating to the cultural heritage of New Orleans and the surrounding region of Louisiana.-Programming:...
, from New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.
French has led The Tuxedo Jazz Band since 1977. (The Tuxedo Jazz Band was formerly led by Oscar "Papa" Celestin and later by French's father, Albert "Papa" French
Papa French
Albert "Papa" French was a New Orleans Jazz musician, banjo player, and band leader. He died in 1977.He was a banjo player in the Original Tuxedo Brass Band of New Orleans. This band was founded in 1910 and led for 44 years by Papa Celestin. After the death of Papa Celestin in 1954, leadership...
from 1958 to 1977.)
Career
As a child French took drumming lessons from Louis BarbarinLouis Barbarin
Louis Barbarin was a New Orleans jazz drummer. He studied under the famed drummer, Louis Cottrell, Sr.Louis was the younger brother of Paul Barbarin...
. He organized an R&B band in high school that included James Booker
James Booker
James Carroll Booker III was a jazz, New Orleans rhythm and blues and soul musician born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.-Biography:...
, Art Neville
Art Neville
Art Neville is an American singer and keyboardist from New Orleans.-History:Neville is a part of one of the most famous musical families of New Orleans, the Neville Brothers...
, Charles Neville (of The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana.-History:The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art , Charles , Aaron , and Cyril The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in...
), and Kidd Jordan
Kidd Jordan
Edward "Kidd" Jordan is an American jazz saxophonist and music educator from New Orleans, Louisiana....
, and Alvin Batiste
Alvin Batiste
Alvin Batiste was an avant garde jazz clarinetist born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He taught at his own jazz institute at Southern University in Baton Rouge...
. In the 1960s he recorded with Earl King
Earl King
This article is about the musical artist. For the Earl King convicted of murdering a ship's officer, see Earl King, Ernest Ramsay, and Frank Conner...
and Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
. He has also played and recorded with Dave Bartholomew
Dave Bartholomew
Dave Bartholomew is a musician, band leader, composer and arranger, prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century...
, who is a relative on his mother's side). Bob French & Friends played often on Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen Street
Frenchmen Street is a street in the 7th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the home to the city's most popular live music venues, including Snug Harbor and The Maison, in addition to restaurants, bars, and other businesses.-Location:...
at the D.B.A. nightclub.
External links
- Bob French at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Bob French's Original Tuxedo Jazz Band
- [ Bob French profile, at Allmusic]
- Bob French biography at Rounder RecordsRounder RecordsRounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
(pdf file) - Video: Chris Rose Show featuring: Bob French