Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 15, 1928 in New York City, NY

Death

:

August 4, 2019 in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England

 

Bob Wilber was a renowned American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on March 15, 1928, in New York City, and grew up in Scarsdale, New York. His father was a businessman, and his mother was a pianist who introduced him to music at an early age. Wilber began playing the clarinet when he was just six years old and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. He was inspired by the music of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and other jazz greats of the time. By the age of 13, he was already playing professionally in local bands. In 1946, Wilber joined the Benny Goodman Orchestra, which was one of the most popular and influential jazz bands of the time. He played with Goodman for two years and was featured on many of the band's recordings. During this time, he also began to develop his skills as a saxophonist. After leaving the Goodman Orchestra, Wilber continued to play with various jazz bands and began to explore other genres of music, including classical music. He studied with the renowned classical clarinetist, Sidney Forrest, and began to incorporate classical techniques into his jazz playing. In the 1950s, Wilber formed his own band, the Wildcats, which became known for its innovative blend of jazz and classical music. The band featured some of the top jazz musicians of the time, including pianist Dick Hyman and drummer Gus Johnson. They recorded several albums and performed at major jazz festivals around the world. In the 1960s, Wilber became interested in the music of Duke Ellington and began to study and transcribe his compositions. He formed a band called the Ellington Legacy, which was dedicated to performing and preserving Ellington's music. The band featured many of the original members of the Ellington Orchestra, including trumpeter Cootie Williams and trombonist Lawrence Brown. Wilber continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, collaborating with many of the top jazz musicians of the time, including Benny Carter, Lionel Hampton, and Bobby Hackett. He also continued to explore classical music, recording several albums of classical clarinet music and performing with symphony orchestras around the world. In 1985, Wilber was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a jazz musician in the United States. He was also inducted into the Jazz at Lincoln Center Hall of Fame in 2008. Wilber continued to perform and record well into his 80s, and his contributions to the world of jazz and classical music will be remembered for generations to come. He passed away on August 4, 2019, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and excellence in music.

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