Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Bobby Orr was born Robert on August 15, 1928 in Cambuslang, Scotland and began playing drums at the age of three, encouraged by his father, a drum major. From the age of 16 he started playing the trumpet, as a member of Basil Kirchin’s band; however, he had difficulties with his embouchure and returned to the drums.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Orr was a fixture on the London jazz scene, including as a founder member of Joe Harriott’s quintet, which he left and subsequently rejoined, and played for Tubby Hayes among others. He also served as a house drummer at Ronnie Scott’s Club, backing top American visitors such as Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Milt Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie.

He had three tours with Benny Goodman, then as a freelance musician from 1970, he also toured with Billy Eckstine and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as Tommy Whittle and Don Lusher. In the 1990s, Bobby toured extensively with the UK Glenn Miller Tribute Band.

Over the course of his career he recorded with Sandy Brown, George Chisholm, Digby Fairweather, and Shake Keane. Drummer and session musician Bobby Orr, who played on many recording sessions for pop and rock artists such as Donovan and Dusty Springfield, passed away on March 12, 2020.

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