BOB FLORENCE,
COMPOSER/ARRANGER/PIANIST/BANDLEADER
May 20, 1932 - May 15, 2008. Rest In Peace.
Bob Florence was an international renowned composer, arranger, pianist, and
bandleader, and was the featured pianist with the Mike Vax, Stan Kenton Alumni
Big Band.
 | |
| Bob Florence | |
Bob played piano with the Les Brown Band, and later wrote
arrangements for Les, Harry James, and Si Zentner. He wrote the hit arrangement "Up A
Lazy River" for the Zentner Band. This was the "launching pad" which led him
to much work in recordings and television.
At one time he had three variety
shows going (Andy Williams, Dean Martin and Red Skelton). He developed a
close musical relationship with singer Vikki Carr. In the thirty years he had known
her, he wrote six albums and countless arrangements for her in person
performances.
Bob was on the road for four years as Vikki's musical director.
He also has a wonderful friendship with Julie Andrews, did one CD, wrote
several charts and traveled as her accompanist for three tours.
When Florence stopped the touring schedules, he returned to his first love,
the rehearsal band, performing concerts and doing clubs in LA. One night
Albert Marx of Discovery/Trend records came to hear the band and suggested that
they record for one of his labels. From 1979 to 1986 they recorded four CD's.
During that time Bob came up with the name "The Bob Florence Limited
Edition." His Jazz career returned!
More About Bob
Bob Florence garnered national and international acclaim as a jazz
composer, arranger, bandleader, keyboardist, accompanist, and educator. Florence
began his lifelong study of music before he was even four years old. At age 19,
he abandoned his classical studies in order to devote his time to playing
shows, accompanying singers, and jamming with jazz groups.
In addition to his many other talents, Florence was a highly respected jazz
educator. He often served as clinician, adjudicator and guest instructor in
college settings. He was a warmly engaging man who approached the act of making
music with great humanity and humor. As one of the premiere bandleaders of
his age, Bob Florence and his orchestra, the Limited Edition, showed no signs of
slowing down or taking the easy way out.
Florence was a Grammy Award winner and had received an incredible 16 Grammy
Nominations and two Emmy Awards. His recent commissions included, "Eternal Licks &
Grooves" commissioned by ASCAP and IAJE honoring Count Basie, premiered in
January 2005 at the IAJE convention in Long Beach California and "Appearing In
Cleveland" commissioned by the Los Angeles Jazz Institute honoring Stan
Kenton, premiered in March 2004 at the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles, California, as
well as many others. His most recent commission, "Fluffy," written for dear
friend Faye Tompach, premiered at the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's Swing into
Spring, A Cavalcade of Big Band Jazz, May 24-27, 2007, at the Four Points
Sheraton, at LAX.
Awards
Grammy winner: "Serendipity 18" The Bob Florence Limited Edition
2 time Emmy winner:
"Julie Andrews, On Tour" PBS "Linda Lavin, Linda In Wonderland" CBS
16 Grammy nominations
Recordings
"Eternal Licks & Grooves" - The Limited Edition Big Band - MAMA (2007)
"Friends - Treasures - Heroes" - solo piano - Summit - August (2005)
"Whatever Bubbles Up" - The Limited Edition Big Band - Summit (2003)
"Another Side" - solo piano - MAMA (2001)
"Goldner Meilenstein" (Golden Milestone) - SWR Big Band - CKC (2001) import
"Serendipity 18" - The Limited Edition Big Band - MAMA (1999)
"Earth" - The Limited Edition Big Band - MAMA (1997)
Soaring" - The Limited Edition - Sea Breeze (1996)
"With All The Bells & Whistles" - The Limited Edition big Band - MAMA (1995)
"Funupsmanship" - The Limited Edition Big Band - MAMA (1993)
"Name Band '59" The Bob Florence Big Band - Fresh Sound (1993) reissue
"The Big Band Treasure Chest" - The Limited Edition - USA Music Group (1990)
"State Of The Art" - The Limited Edition - USA Music Group (1988)
"Trash Can City" - The Limited Edition big Band - (1986)*
"Magic Time" - The Limited Edition big Band - (1984)*
"Westlake" - The Bob Florence Big Band - (1982)*
"Live At Concerts By The Sea" - The Bob Florence Big Band (1980)*
"Pet Project" The Bob Florence big Band (1967) released on World Pacific (op)
"Here & Now" - The Bob Florence Big Band (1964) released on Liberty (op)
The MAMA label has been purchased by Summit Records.
* Originally released on Discovery/Trend and later bought by Warner Brothers (op)
