Bob Haggart

Robert Sherwood Haggart (March 13, 1914 – December 2, 1998) was an American dixieland jazz double bass player, composer, and arranger. Although he is associated with dixieland, he was one of the finest rhythm bassists of the Swing Era.

Bob Haggart
Haggart (center) in New York, 1947
Background information
Birth nameRobert Sherwood Haggart
Born(1914-03-13)March 13, 1914
New York, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 2, 1998(1998-12-02) (aged 84)
Venice, Florida
GenresJazz, dixieland
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, arranger
InstrumentsDouble bass
Years active1930s–1998
LabelsCommand
Associated actsLawson-Haggart Jazz Band, World's Greatest Jazz Band

Music career

In 1935, Haggart became a member of the Bob Crosby Band. He arranged and composed "Big Noise from Winnetka", "My Inspiration", "What's New?", and "South Rampart Street Parade". He remained with the band until it dissolved in 1942, then began working as session musician, with much of his time spent at Decca Records.[1] He recorded with Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Ella Fitzgerald; his arrangements can be heard on Fitzgerald's album Lullabies of Birdland. Haggart also starred in several commercials for L&M cigarettes on the radio program "Gunsmoke", including the 03/04/1956 episode "The Hunter".

He and Yank Lawson formed the Lawson-Haggart Band, and they also led the World's Greatest Jazz Band from 1968–1978. He appeared at jazz festivals until his death on December 2, 1998 in Venice, Florida.[1][2]

Discography
  • Strictly from Dixie (MGM, 1960)
  • Big Noise from Winnetka (Command, 1962)
  • Live at the Roosevelt Grill (Atlantic, 1970)
  • What's New? (Atlantic, 1971)
  • Makes a Sentimental Journey (Jazzology, 1980)
  • Enjoys Carolina in the Morning (Jazzology, 1981)
  • A Portrait of Bix (Jazzology, 1986)
  • Hag Leaps In (Arbors, 1995)
  • The All-Stars at Bob Haggart's 80th Birthday Party (Arbors, 2002)
  • The Piano Giants at Bob Haggart's 80th Birthday Party (Arbors, 2002)
  • The Music of Bob Haggart (Arbors, 2002)[3]

References
  1. Yanow, Scott. "Bob Haggart | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  2. Watrous, Peter (4 December 1998). "Bob Haggart, 84, Jazz Bassist and Arranger". The New York Times.
  3. "Bob Haggart | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 December 2016.

Further reading
  • Kragting, Ben (1994). "Bob Haggart Interview (Part 1)". Doctor Jazz Magazine (in Dutch) (145): 10–13.
  • Kragting, Ben (1994). "Bob Haggart Interview (Part 2)". Doctor Jazz Magazine (in Dutch) (146): 10–15.
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