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Robert Hanley Casey was born in Johnson County, Illinois on February 11, 1909 and learned to play banjo and guitar as a child, playing both in regional ensembles in the Midwest. He didn’t pick up the bass until he was twenty and continued as a guitarist for some time after.

The mid-1930s saw him playing in NBC radio ensembles and working with Wingy Manone. In 1939 Bob joined Muggsy Spanier’s Ragtimers band but the group soon split, after which he played with Charlie Spivak, Brad Gowans, Eddie Condon, Miff Mole, and Joe Marsala. He played extensively on radio with several of these ensembles.

Casey was also a prolific session bassist, recording with Wild Bill Davison, Bobby Hackett, Cliff Jackson, Max Kaminsky, Eddie Edwards, Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell, Georg Brunis, George Wettling, Ralph Sutton, Joe Sullivan, and Boyce Brown in the 1940s and 1950s.

Relocating to Florida in 1957, he played with the Dukes of Dixieland. By the 1970s he was playing only occasionally. Double bassist Bob Casey transitioned on April 9, 1986, in Marion, Illinois.

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