Bob Florence, who died on 15 May, was well known in The States both as a pianist and an arranger. He worked in and out of the jazz world moving easily from artists such as Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra to Julie Andrews and Vicki Carr.
My knowledge of Bob Florence is limited to a splendidly titled album - "Trash Can City". It is as good a contemporary big band record as you're likely to encounter; not least for the track titled "The Bebop Treasure Chest" which manages to incorporate around 16 fragments of various bop themes into one magnificent whole. Another track, "Jewels," has Julie Andrews doing a wordless vocal in the manner of Ellington's "Creole Love Call" that is very effective. Others on the 1986 date include Lanny Morgan (alto), Bob Cooper (ten) and Bob Efford (bar).
For a more detailed obituary see Steve Voce's piece in Monday's Independent newspaper.
He was 76.
Once again I am indebted to Russell of JNE for drawing his death to my attention. Perhaps Russell was an undertaker in a previous existence.
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