AllenLowe Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Bob is one of my oldest friends, but slipped under the radar when he moved back to Detroit. Also, a genius pianist, one of my favorites, and a genuinely funny guy, I had not heard from him in about 10-12 years until last night when he called and we had a nice, long conversation. I had been worried because he's had serious health problem, but Bob (who is about to turn 70) sounded great; he's had some hearing loss, unfortunately, but he's feeling good and living with his wife in a condo in Birmingham, Michigan. best of all, he's still playing. He's got the Baldwin baby grand he grew up with, he told me. It's got me itching to get on a plane, go out and record with him; he's one of those incredibly creative musicians you can put into any situation and he'll come up with something just perfect, clever, and inventive. I never had as much fun as when I played with Bob. I miss him a lot, so I gotta figure a way out there. and I'm glad he's alive and well. A truly wonderful human being. (Also, less known is that he was the house pianist at Motown from 1962-64. Funny stories about Stevie Wonder, the 4 Tops, and the interesting, shall we say, financial backing that made that company grow). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcello Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Thanks for the report, Allen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete C Posted February 4, 2012 Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 So, did Mingus find him through one of his other Detroit connections? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flat5 Posted February 4, 2012 Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 I met him and his father in Eureka, Ca. ~1975. Got to play a few tunes with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted February 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 1) from what I remember, Mingus got him through another member of the band who recommended him - though Bob had sat in with him at some point - 2) You played with him in '75? Eureka was where he was raised (also the Bridges family, IIRC - Beau and Jeff and Lloyd) - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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