Bob Snyder (musician)
Encyclopedia
Bob Snyder is a musician known for playing tenor sax
, alto sax
, clarinet
, and flute
. He has performed with the Airmen of Note, the Glenn Miller
Air Force
Dance Band, and Lionel Hampton
. He also served as staff musician for Motown Records
, Stax Records
, and WJR
radio. He made a very popular clarinet recording of the song "Amazing Grace
" at the Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island)
on Mackinac Island, Michigan
.
Dick Johnson
, now in charge of the Artie Shaw
Orchestra, says Snyder is the best musician playing today.
. Both his parents were musicians, and he played professionally for the first time when he was eight years old. While still in the third grade, he played alto sax with the high school band. When he was ten, he played with "The Hillbilly
Kids", a family group.
At eleven, Snyder played clarinet with the Hoosier Symphony at Canterbury College
in Danville. At thirteen, Snyder appeared on Horace Heidt Amateur Hour in Terre Haute
and played with the Indiana State Legion Band.
While in high school, Snyder won the All State Indiana Music Contest for four years in a row. Snyder graduated from Danville High School
in 1954 and, after a semester at Butler University
, joined the Marines
. He played in the Airmen of Note and the Air Force
VIP Band.
Snyder spent eight years in the military and played in the Air Force Academy Band.
and Ted Weems
orchestras. At Stax Records, he played with the Memphis
Horns.
In 1966, Snyder moved to Detroit, where he played with the Motown
Recording Orchestra and the WJR Radio Band.
In 1971, Snyder met Lionel Hampton when both men played at a benefit in Cleveland, Ohio
. Hampton asked Snyder to join his orchestra, and they toured Europe, including countries under Communism
.
Snyder remained in Hampton's orchestra until the 1990s. Hampton said
In 1984, Snyder became music director of the Grand Hotel
on Mackinac Island, Michigan
. After retiring from that job, he began touring the United States, mostly performing in churches.
" on the saxophone. However, his reed was broken, and he changed to the clarinet. The performance was recorded, and thanks to DJs Chick Watkins, Joe Lacina
, and Eddie Hubbard
, Snyder said, "the response has been phenomenal ... It's almost eerie. We've been getting calls and letters from everywhere."
Hubbard played the record on his Stardust
radio program, distributed by ABC Radio Networks. Soon, lots of people were calling, wanting to know how they could buy that recording.
Webster Records described the 1995 Sunday at the Grand - Amazing Grace album as "our best selling record of all time."
with his wife Jan, and he plays at The Deck Restaurant. He also plays with the Baptist College of Florida
Jazz
Band and serves as assistant band director at Holmes County High School
.
Snyder became Honorary
Mayor
of San Antonio, Texas
when he visited and performed for injured military troops.
Snyder was also named to Danville High School's Alumni Hall of Fame. The first Bob and Jan Snyder Achievement Award, for a clarinet or saxophone player, was given June 14, 2008.
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
, alto sax
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
, clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, and flute
Western concert flute
The Western concert flute is a transverse woodwind instrument made of metal or wood. It is the most common variant of the flute. A musician who plays the flute is called a flautist, flutist, or flute player....
. He has performed with the Airmen of Note, the Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Dance Band, and Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
. He also served as staff musician for Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
, Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
, and WJR
WJR
WJR is a radio station in Detroit, Michigan, United States. It broadcasts a news/talk format. It is a class A clear channel station whose broadcasts can be heard throughout most of the Midwest, eastern United States and Canada at night, making it one of the most powerful radio stations in the...
radio. He made a very popular clarinet recording of the song "Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
" at the Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island)
Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island)
The Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and coastal resort located on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island located at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac within Lake Huron between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Constructed in the late 19th century, the facility advertises itself as...
on Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is a city in Mackinac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. In the 2010 census, the city had a permanent population of 492, although there are thousands more seasonal workers and tourists during the summer months. From 1818–1882, the city was the county seat of the former...
.
Dick Johnson
Dick Johnson (clarinetist)
Dick Johnson was an American big band clarinetist, best known for his work with the Artie Shaw Band. From 1983 until his death he was the leader of the Artie Shaw Orchestra....
, now in charge of the Artie Shaw
Artie Shaw
Arthur Jacob Arshawsky , better known as Artie Shaw, was an American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. He was also the author of both fiction and non-fiction writings....
Orchestra, says Snyder is the best musician playing today.
Early life
Bob Snyder was born in Danville, IndianaDanville, Indiana
Danville is a town in Center Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,001at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Hendricks County. -History:...
. Both his parents were musicians, and he played professionally for the first time when he was eight years old. While still in the third grade, he played alto sax with the high school band. When he was ten, he played with "The Hillbilly
Hillbilly
Hillbilly is a term referring to certain people who dwell in rural, mountainous areas of the United States, primarily Appalachia but also the Ozarks. Owing to its strongly stereotypical connotations, the term is frequently considered derogatory, and so is usually offensive to those Americans of...
Kids", a family group.
At eleven, Snyder played clarinet with the Hoosier Symphony at Canterbury College
Canterbury College (Indiana)
Canterbury College, formerly Central Normal College, was a private institution founded in the state of Indiana, United States, in 1876 as part of the larger state-wide university system. The school was located in Ladoga, Indiana, but was moved to Danville, Indiana in 1878 after purchasing the...
in Danville. At thirteen, Snyder appeared on Horace Heidt Amateur Hour in Terre Haute
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
and played with the Indiana State Legion Band.
While in high school, Snyder won the All State Indiana Music Contest for four years in a row. Snyder graduated from Danville High School
Danville Community High School
Danville Community High School is a public high school located in Danville, Indiana, United States just off U.S. Route 36. The school nickname is the Warriors, and the school colors are crimson and gray. DCHS currently enrolls students from grades nine through twelve and consistently scores above...
in 1954 and, after a semester at Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
, joined the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. He played in the Airmen of Note and the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
VIP Band.
Snyder spent eight years in the military and played in the Air Force Academy Band.
Professional career
After leaving the military, Snyder played with the Tommy DorseyTommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
and Ted Weems
Ted Weems
Wilfred Theodore Weems was an American bandleader and musician. Weems' work in music was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.- Biography :...
orchestras. At Stax Records, he played with the Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
Horns.
In 1966, Snyder moved to Detroit, where he played with the Motown
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
Recording Orchestra and the WJR Radio Band.
In 1971, Snyder met Lionel Hampton when both men played at a benefit in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. Hampton asked Snyder to join his orchestra, and they toured Europe, including countries under Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
.
Snyder remained in Hampton's orchestra until the 1990s. Hampton said
I consider Bob Snyder the best clarinet player in the world. I rank him with my old boss, Benny Goodman. I have played and toured with Bob for many years, and I can tell you Bob knows how to swing."
In 1984, Snyder became music director of the Grand Hotel
Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island)
The Grand Hotel is a historic hotel and coastal resort located on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a small island located at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac within Lake Huron between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Constructed in the late 19th century, the facility advertises itself as...
on Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Mackinac Island is a city in Mackinac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. In the 2010 census, the city had a permanent population of 492, although there are thousands more seasonal workers and tourists during the summer months. From 1818–1882, the city was the county seat of the former...
. After retiring from that job, he began touring the United States, mostly performing in churches.
"Amazing Grace"
While performing at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Snyder normally played "Amazing GraceAmazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
" on the saxophone. However, his reed was broken, and he changed to the clarinet. The performance was recorded, and thanks to DJs Chick Watkins, Joe Lacina
Joe Lacina
Joseph "Joe" Lacina began his career in music touring the United States in various jazz, swing and rock bands during the 1950s and 1960s....
, and Eddie Hubbard
Eddie Hubbard
Charles Edward "Eddie" Hubbard was an easy-listening disc jockey and radio personality in Chicago, at such radio stations as WIND and WGN. At WGN he co-hosted a popular show with Jack Brickhouse.-Early Years In Chicago:...
, Snyder said, "the response has been phenomenal ... It's almost eerie. We've been getting calls and letters from everywhere."
Hubbard played the record on his Stardust
Timeless (radio network)
Timeless was a 24-hour satellite music service of Citadel Media . It has distributed a mix of soft oldies and adult standards to radio stations around the USA...
radio program, distributed by ABC Radio Networks. Soon, lots of people were calling, wanting to know how they could buy that recording.
Webster Records described the 1995 Sunday at the Grand - Amazing Grace album as "our best selling record of all time."
Post-retirement
Snyder currently lives in Marco Island, FloridaMarco Island, Florida
Marco Island is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States, located on an island by the same name in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Southwest Florida. It is a principal city of the Naples–Marco Island Metropolitan Statistical Area...
with his wife Jan, and he plays at The Deck Restaurant. He also plays with the Baptist College of Florida
Baptist College of Florida
The Baptist College of Florida, founded in 1943, is located in Graceville, Florida. It is a Christian college and is sponsored by the Florida Baptist Convention. Originally a college primarily focused on training Baptist ministers, it has begun to expand into more curricular areas. BCF offers...
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...
Band and serves as assistant band director at Holmes County High School
Holmes County High School
Holmes County High School is a public school on State Road 90 in Bonifay, Florida, residing in Holmes County. As of November 23, 2010, there are currently 515 students enrolled there, with grade 9 having the largest number of students ....
.
Snyder became Honorary
Title of honor
An honorary title or title of honor is a title bestowed upon individuals or organizations as an award in recognition of their merits.Sometimes the title bears the same or nearly the same name as a title of authority, but the person bestowed does not have to carry any duties, possibly except for...
Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
when he visited and performed for injured military troops.
Snyder was also named to Danville High School's Alumni Hall of Fame. The first Bob and Jan Snyder Achievement Award, for a clarinet or saxophone player, was given June 14, 2008.