Bobby Orr (drummer)

Robert Orr (15 August 1928 – 12 March 2020) was a Scottish jazz drummer and session musician.

Early life

Orr was born in Cambuslang, Scotland on 15 August 1928.^[1] His father's name was John Orr.^[2] Orr began playing drums at the age of three, encouraged by his father, a drum major.^[1] From the age of 16 Orr also played the trumpet, as a member of Basil Kirchin's band; however, he had difficulties with his embouchure and returned to the drums.^[1]

Later life and career

In the 1950s and 1960s, Orr was a fixture on the London jazz scene, including as a founder member of Joe Harriott's quintet^[3] (which he left and subsequently rejoined) and for Tubby Hayes and others.^[1] 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.^[2]

Orr had three tours with Benny Goodman.^[1] As a freelance from 1970, he also toured with Billy Eckstine and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as Tommy Whittle and Don Lusher.^[1] In the 1990s, Orr toured extensively with the UK Glenn Miller Tribute Band.^[1] As an aside from his jazz career, he also played on many recording sessions for pop and rock artists such as Donovan and Dusty Springfield.^[2]

Discography

With Sandy Brown

Work Song (Lake, 1962–68)
Hair At It's Hairiest (Fontana, 1969)
In the Evening (Lake, 1970–71)

With George Chisholm

Clinton Ford (Oriole, 1962)
In a Mellow Mood (Peerless, 1974)
George Chisholm's Trombone Showcase (Line Records, 1975)
The Swingin' Mr. C. (Zodiac Records, 1986)

With Digby Fairweather

Songs for Sandy (Hep, 1970–82)

With Benny Goodman

Benny Goodman Today (London records, 1970)

With Joe Harriott

Blue Harriott (Columbia UK, 1959)
A Guy Called Joe (Columbia UK, 1960)
Southern Horizons (Jazzland, 1960)
Abstract (Capitol, 1962)
Movement (Columbia, 1963)
High Spirits (Columbia, 1964)

With Shake Keane

Bossa Negra (Columbia, 1962)
That's the Noise (Decca, 1965)

Main source:^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Chilton, John (2004). Who's Who of British Jazz (2nd ed.). Continuum. p. 267. ISBN 978-0-8264-7234-2.
^ ^a ^b ^c Nicholls, Geoff (7 April 2015). "Bobby Orr". Rhythm. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
^ Hancock, Bobby (18 January 2004). "Joe Harriott: A Restless Soul". All About Jazz. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.

External links

Bobby Orr at Drummers Unlimited site

[Chilton-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Chilton, John (2004). Who's Who of British Jazz (2nd ed.). Continuum. p. 267. ISBN 978-0-8264-7234-2.

[Mag-2] Nicholls, Geoff (7 April 2015). "Bobby Orr". Rhythm. Retrieved 6 May 2016.

[3] Hancock, Bobby (18 January 2004). "Joe Harriott: A Restless Soul". All About Jazz. Retrieved 17 January 2011.

[Penguin-4] Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.

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