Len Dobbin
Encyclopedia
Leonard Montgomery Ross Dobbin (born February 23, 1935 in Montreal
; died July 9, 2009) was a jazz radio broadcaster and critic. A native of Montreal, Canada, Dobbin was involved with many Montreal jazz music events for decades and was active in the jazz community as a broadcaster
, radio producer
, reviewer and photographer. Dobbin's jazz photographs had four showings in the years prior to his death, and can be found in many magazines and album
covers in North America
, as well as his liner notes
.
Dobbin's radio career began in 1962. During the 1970s, Dobbin's Sunday evening radio show "Jazz 96" was one of the premier Canadian jazz broadcasts during an era when Canada had no national jazz broadcast, with the exception of the CBC. Dobbin was responsible for bringing many Canadian jazz artists to the public, using his show as a platform for showcasing Canadian talent. Subsequently, he hosted a show called "Dobbin's Den", which was aired on CKUT-FM
on Sundays from 11a.m.-1p.m. . During his career, Dobbin wrote about and reviewed jazz music for the Montreal Mirror as well as the Montreal Gazette and CODA
. Over the years, Dobbin also developed important relationships with major jazz artists, including vocalist Sheila Jordan
who, upon hearing of his death, was quoted as saying that he was "like a younger brother to me.... I will dedicate "The Crossing" at every performance I do to (Dobbin)...."
An almost lifelong battle with alcoholism ended in the mid 1990s when Dobbin achieved what was to become permanent sobriety through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous
. Dobbin's health deteriorated, however, and he suffered a stroke in July 2009 while sitting in a jazz club in Montreal. He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he died that night.
Among his awards was a nomination in 2009 for "Broadcaster of the Year" at the Canadian National Jazz Awards.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
; died July 9, 2009) was a jazz radio broadcaster and critic. A native of Montreal, Canada, Dobbin was involved with many Montreal jazz music events for decades and was active in the jazz community as a broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, radio producer
Radio producer
A radio producer oversees the making of a radio show. There are two main types of producer. An audio or creative producer and a content producer. Audio producers create sounds and audio specifically, content producers oversee and orchestrate a radio show or feature...
, reviewer and photographer. Dobbin's jazz photographs had four showings in the years prior to his death, and can be found in many magazines and album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
covers in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, as well as his liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
.
Dobbin's radio career began in 1962. During the 1970s, Dobbin's Sunday evening radio show "Jazz 96" was one of the premier Canadian jazz broadcasts during an era when Canada had no national jazz broadcast, with the exception of the CBC. Dobbin was responsible for bringing many Canadian jazz artists to the public, using his show as a platform for showcasing Canadian talent. Subsequently, he hosted a show called "Dobbin's Den", which was aired on CKUT-FM
CKUT-FM
CKUT-FM is the official campus community radio station of McGill University. It can be heard at 90.3 FM in Montreal, 91.7 on cable, or on the . CKUT's FM signal, broadcast from a tower on the top of Mount Royal, reaches as far as the Eastern Townships and upstate New York...
on Sundays from 11a.m.-1p.m. . During his career, Dobbin wrote about and reviewed jazz music for the Montreal Mirror as well as the Montreal Gazette and CODA
CODA (magazine)
CODA is a Canadian magazine devoted to covering all things related to jazz. The magazine produces 6 publications a year on a bi-monthly basis...
. Over the years, Dobbin also developed important relationships with major jazz artists, including vocalist Sheila Jordan
Sheila Jordan
Sheila Jordan is an American jazz singer and songwriter. Jordan has recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to a notable solo career....
who, upon hearing of his death, was quoted as saying that he was "like a younger brother to me.... I will dedicate "The Crossing" at every performance I do to (Dobbin)...."
An almost lifelong battle with alcoholism ended in the mid 1990s when Dobbin achieved what was to become permanent sobriety through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
. Dobbin's health deteriorated, however, and he suffered a stroke in July 2009 while sitting in a jazz club in Montreal. He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he died that night.
Among his awards was a nomination in 2009 for "Broadcaster of the Year" at the Canadian National Jazz Awards.