Bob French
French at Snug Harbor, New Orleans, in March 2008
French at Snug Harbor, New Orleans, in March 2008
Background information
Born(1937-12-27)December 27, 1937
OriginNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 2012(2012-11-12) (aged 74)
GenresJazz, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, bandleader
Instrument(s)Drums
Years active1960s–2010s
LabelsRounder

Robert "Bob" French (December 27, 1937 – November 12, 2012)[1][2] was an American jazz drummer and radio show host at WWOZ, from New Orleans, Louisiana. French led The Tuxedo Jazz Band from 1977 until his death in 2012. (The Tuxedo Jazz Band was formerly led by Oscar "Papa" Celestin and later by French's father, Albert "Papa" French from 1958 to 1977).

Career

As a child French took drumming lessons from Louis Barbarin. He organized an R&B band in high school that included James Booker, Art Neville, Charles Neville (of The Neville Brothers), and Kidd Jordan, and Alvin Batiste. In the 1960s he recorded with Earl King, Snooks Eaglin and Fats Domino. He has also played and recorded with Dave Bartholomew, who is a relative on his mother's side.[3] Bob French & Friends played often on Frenchmen Street at the D.B.A. nightclub. French's best-known gig was the long-running Monday night jam session at Donna's, across from Louis Armstrong Park.

French is interviewed on screen in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky!, which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz.[4][5]

Death

French died on November 12, 2012, after a long illness. He was 74 years old.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Robert T French in US, Social Security Death Index".
  2. 1 2 Spera, Keith (November 13, 2012). "Bob French, longtime Original Tuxedo Jazz Band leader and WWOZ deejay, has died". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  3. ↑ Rawls, Alex (April 2007). "BackTalk with Bob French". OffBeat. Vol. 20, no. 4. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ "IAJE What's Going On". Jazz Education Journal. Manhattan, Kansas: International Association of Jazz Educators. 37 (5): 87. April 2005. ISSN 1540-2886. ProQuest 1370090.
  5. ↑ Make It Funky! (DVD). Culver City, California: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. 2005. ISBN 9781404991583. OCLC 61207781. 11952.
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