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Alexander, Robert “Bob” (3rd November 1920-19th June 2012)

Trombonist from Roxbury, Massachusetts, who recorded with Sammy Davis, Jr. and Sy Oliver in 1956 at Decca Recording Studios in New York:  ” Begin the Beguine”, “Don’t Get around Much Anymore”, “Perdido”, and “Temptation” were a few of the tracks they laid down. A year later, Robert appeared on Tony Bennett’s LP, The Beat of My Heart. They also collaborated on Jazz, a collection of tracks recorded in the ’50s and ’60s which was released on CD in 1987.

Another artist with whom Robert worked quite a bit around this time was Perry Como. They recorded “Love Letters”, quite appropriately, on 13th February 1958, and it appeared on the release, Saturday Night with Mr. C, in July of that year. On 23rd April 1959, they recorded “You Came a Long Way from St. Louis”, which was backed with “Route 66”, and appeared on Como Swings about five months later. Other recordings from this period were “While We’re Young”, which appeared on the album, For the Young at Heart, and “You Were Meant for Me”, which made the cut on Sing to Me Mr. C. Both albums were released in 1961.

Robert branched out quite a bit in the ’70s, appearing on Jan Akkerman’s Tabernakel and a string of Van McCoy albums: Love is the Answer, Disco Baby, and The Real McCoy. In 1978, he appeared on Vivian Reed’s funk/disco/solo effort, Another Side, and the following year, recorded Conception: A Gift of Love with Bobby Hutcherson and appeared on Frank Sinatra’s boxed set, Trilogy. Another boxed set that features Robert’s trombone stylings is Earth Kitt’s Eartha Quake, released in the mid-’90s. In 1992, he served up a dose of Good Medicine with Doc Severinsen, and something that might make you feel even better, Heavenly Eartha, released on CD in 2002.

He died in June 2012 when he was 91 years old.

Van McCoy recordings
That’s the Joint (Van McCoy)
H & L Records HL-4677 (UK)
The Shuffle (Van McCoy)
H & L Records HL-4677 (UK)

Frank Sinatra recordings
That’s What God Looks Like To Me (Stan Irvin/Lan O’Kun)
Reprise RPS 49233 (XNY2101S) (US 45)

Theme from “New York, New York” (Fred Ebb/John Kander)
Reprise RPS49233 (XNY 2103 S) (US 45)

Here he performs on Tony Bennett’s “Lullaby of Broadway” from his The Beat of My Heart..

Sources:

  1. https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/robert-alexander/credits/
  2. https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Bob_Alexander
  3. http://www.answers.com/topic/trilogy-vocal-music-album
  4. http://www.jazzlinkenterprises.com/birthdays/birthdays_november.html
  5. http://www.discogs.com/release/1403741
  6. http://greatamericansongbook.blogspot.com/2005/11/jazz-tony-bennett-on-columbia.html
  7. http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Jazz/Tony-Bennett/e/886972385525
  8. http://www.suncoast.com/Eartha-Quake-Front-Page_stcVVproductId1682677VVcatId455365VVviewprod.htm
  9. http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/742903
  10. https://www.i-legalne.cz/jnp/cz/obchod/album/track/H-HEA-Heavenly_Eartha-Dinner_For_One_Please_James.html?cookieCheck=true
  11. http://users.erols.com/mantis2/
  12. http://www.discogs.com/sell/item/6110509
  13. http://www.discogs.com/release/257035
  14. http://www.discogs.com/release/778907
  15. http://www.discogs.com/release/783872
  16. http://greatamericansongbook.blogspot.com/
  17. http://www.diapazon.pl/PelnaPlyta.php?Id=4306
  18. http://members.ozemail.com.au/~lindenbrae/sdj/sessions.html
  19. http://catalog.ebay.com/Good-Medicine_UPC_078636606248_W0QQ_fclsZ1QQ_pidZ3526685QQ_tabZ2
  20. http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/Hutcherson/BobbyHutchersonDiscography.pdf