Album Notes

Bobby LaVell
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Bobby LaVell gained an interest in music while in high school. He became proficient on the saxophone, flute, clarinet and piano while pursuing formal musical studies at Memphis State (now the University of Memphis) and Shelby State College. Bobby also studied and became proficient as an arranger and composer during that time. Bobby's formal education continued with composition studies with Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam at the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop.

Bobby studies improvisation with the late Fred Ford of Memphis, TN, and he credits Ford with shaping his musical philosophy. "He was the best teacher anyone could have, because he taught me to teach myself." However, his first and foremost influence was his father, Mr. Bob ("Honeymoon") Garner, a pianist and organist in the Memphis area.

During Bobby's early professional career, he performed, arranged and conducted for Memphis singer Lee Stone. He continued to develop his performing career by serving long stints as a regular with the phenomenal B.B. King and the immortal Ray Charles. Bobby has also performed with such fixtures as The Temptations, the Four Tops, and the Nicholas Brothers. Additionally, there have been performances with Harold Mabern and George Coleman. Mr. Coleman once said of LaVell, "He's an excellent musician and an exceptional saxophonist."

In Ohio and New York, Bobby performed as leader of the Bobby LaVell Octet and Quartet. He spent ten years with the late Cab Calloway. He has performed with the Pete (Laroca) Sims Swing Time All Stars, the Jimmy Heath Big Band and the Chico O'Ferrell Big Band. He performed with Slide Hampton's Jazz Masters for three years until it disbanded. Bobby still maintains a close working relationship with Slide. He is also a member of the Manhattan Symphony Jazz Orchestra conducted by Dennis Mackrel. He is now a regular member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and recently worked with a big band conducted by Benny Golson.

With his own intuition, Bobby founded and leads the Hudson River Jazz Orchestra, a 17-piece big band in the Ellington tradition. The band performs Bobby's original songs on 6 tracks of the CD and two arrangements of Billy Strayhorn's jazz classic "Lush Life" and the Duke's "In a Sentimental Mood."

Bobby is kept busy year-round performing venues in the United States, Canada, South American, Europe, the Caribbean and Japan. Bobby is a man full of talent and inspiration. As a saxophonist, Bobby LaVell's sound, technique and articulation are second to none. As a composer, his works are poignant and inspiring. As a person, he is solid; as an artist, he is phenomenal.