Bob Zieff passes at 98

[romualdo]

Robert L. Zieff, jazz composer, arranger, and educator died peacefully in Stuart, Florida, on March 26th in 2026 at the age of 98. He is survived by his wife, Ella Marie Forsyth, a fellow musician. Over a career spanning more than sixty five years, he made significant contributions to jazz as both a creative artist and scholar.

His work with Chet Baker & Dick Twardzik was of particular interest to me

RIP Bob

[GA Russell]

RIP Bob Zieff! I know of him from this.

Edited March 30 by GA Russell

[Peter Friedman]

R.I.P.

[Andrew]

I am Bob zieffs nephew. I was wondering if you guys could help us. We have boxes and boxes of bobs hand written notes that we would like to send to an archive. Do you guys know anyone we can contact? Thank you. 
Andrew Forsyth 

[romualdo]

On 4/1/2026 at 1:18 AM, Andrew said:

I am Bob zieffs nephew. I was wondering if you guys could help us. We have boxes and boxes of bobs hand written notes that we would like to send to an archive. Do you guys know anyone we can contact? Thank you. 
Andrew Forsyth 

Andrew, I've sent you a pm

[AllenLowe]

Zieff was brilliant; he used to call me every once in a while and complain about a critic I knew. By far his best work is on this:

https://www.discogs.com/release/14448931-Bob-Zieff-The-Music-Of-Bob-Zieff

can't get the picture to appear, but that's the CD to get -

 

Edited April 4 by AllenLowe

[mhatta]

I was deeply moved when I heard Chet Baker perform the song “Sad Walk” in his later years. It wasn’t until some time later that I realized it was composed by Bob Zieff. Zieff is an exceptionally talented composer, and I believe his works deserve to be performed more often.

 

[romualdo]

https://itech.dickinson.edu/Sirena/Issue2/Chambers.pdf

Jack Chambers article/essay on Bob Zieff "Revenge of the Underground Jazz Composer"

[romualdo]

Andrew, I've sent you another pm - Dan Stewart has contacted Ken Poston from the LAJI (Los Angeles Jazz Institute) & he is interested in taking your uncle's notes.

Contact details (for Ken) are in the pm

[Balladeer]

Always liked to hear "Sad Walk" played by Chet, who was always in search of interesting new compositions.

Recommended: Long Article by Austrian Trumpetplayer Franz Koglmann about Zieff:"Going Underground".
In German jazz journal "Jazz Podium" Number 12/2022-1/2023, pages 29/30  (Cover story: Tyshawn Sorey).

RIP Bob Zieff

[miles65]

Bought the Fresh Sound 2 CD set. Love his arrangements for the Jack Nimitz Orchestra.