Bob Havens

Bob Havens is unanimously acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest Dixieland trombonists and the leading proponent of the Jack Teagarden style of playing. His powerful delivery and smooth phrasing have made him much in demand at Jazz Festivals and Concerts throughout the world.

Bob was born into a musical family in 1930 in Quincy, Illinois. He began studying violin, piano and trombone at age 7 and played these instruments throughout his school years. He landed his first professional job with a dance band at age 12. By the age of 16, his talent as a trombonist was recognized with a scholarship from the Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, and he held the first trombone chair in the school’s 250 piece band. He later held the first trombone chair in the Quincy Symphony while also playing in many popular dance groups in Illinois.

After serving in the Illinois National Guard as a bandsman during the Korean conflict, Bob left Quincy in 1955 to tour with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra. In 1956, he joined George Girard’s Dixieland Band at the Famous Door in New Orleans. There, he met his idol, Jack Teagarden. In 1957, Bob joined Al Hirt at Dan’s Pier 600 on Bourbon Street (New Orleans) when Hirt formed his very first band -- the front line consisted of Hirt, Havens and Pete Fountain.

He played and recorded with this group until 1960 when he was persuaded to move to the West Coast and join The Lawrence Welk Orchestra as featured soloist on the weekly TV series. His brilliant tenure lasted for 23 years until the show ended in 1982. Havens continued to be active as a free-lance professional working with the Bob Crosby Bob Cats and the Benny Goodman Orchestra. From 1985 to 1995, he played with the Great Pacific Jazz Band along with Bob Ringwald, Don Nelson, Jim Turner and Zeke Zarchy.

This fabulous musician continues to record and appear at Jazz Festivals and Concerts throughout the world. Bob is also interested in helping those suffering from calamaties as evidenced by the concert he played with the North Carolina Pops Orchestra and Ava Barber for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Bob Havens, who was known for some of his uncanny playing techniques, can still incorporate some rather unusual gymnastic tricks in his performance. Everyone who sees and hears him is truly amazed at what he can do!

Most recently, he has released a CD, entitled Back Home in New Orleans. Mr. Havens and a top-notch septet perform tunes that mostly date from the 1920s, but Rosa Is Her Name and When The Bloom Is on the Sage are of more recent vintage. Havens takes occasional vocals but it is his trombone playing that is of greatest interest. Vintage favories such as Old Man River, Louisiana, and Wolverine Blues are played with some fresh ideas and subtle surprises.