| Bob Merrill sings, plays the trumpet and flugelhorn, and is an experienced conductor, composer and arranger. Critics have embraced his style as a charismatic, outgoing blend of 'Chet, Frank, Miles, Nat, and Louis.' That would be Baker, Sinatra, Davis, Cole and Armstrong for the layman.
While attending Harvard in the early 1980's, Bob led the Harvard Jazz Band, performing regularly around New England and touring with them overseas. After receiving his degree in music, he spent three years as a teaching fellow for Harvard's Seminars in Jazz course. He founded the Jazz at the Pudding concert series at the famed Hasty Pudding Club, fronting the house band as they presented legendary artists such as Al Hibbler, Illinois Jacquet, Cedar Walton, Pepper Adams, George Coleman, Warne Marsh, Lee Konitz and many others.
In 1986, Merrill returned to his native New York City, where he opened Hip Pocket Recording Studios, a 48-track recording facility specializing in music for commercials and host for recordings by artists such as Patti LaBelle, Sting, Art Garfunkel, Peter, Paul and Mary as well as the music for The Cosby Show on NBC. He has produced three CD's for his father-in-law, legendary Jazz pianist and composer Joe Bushkin, for whom he serves as trumpeter, musical director and arranger. Together they have appeared at New York's Tavern on the Green and The Supper Club, L.A.'s Jazz Bakery, as well as engagements in Las Vegas, Palm Springs and many Jazz festivals around the country.
In 1997, Bob released his first CD as a leader, Catch as Catch Can, featuring a host of jazz all-stars. He has performed with his band for former Governor Mario Cuomo, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and President Bill Clinton and is busy on the society circuit from NYC to Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Bob was recently featured on the American Movie Classics channel leading the AMC Orchestra in the television series Gotta Dance!
Bob' latest CD, Got A Bran' New Suit, has just come out on Boomerang Records. He is also featured with Joe Bushkin on Jazz At The Lab, a live recording from April 2002. All three are available for purchase on this website.
Last updated: Jan 28, 2003 |
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