Bobby Orr (drummer)

Scottish jazz drummer (1928–2020)

Robert Orr (15 August 1928 – 12 March 2020) was a Scottish jazz drummer and session musician.

## Early life[edit]

Orr was born in Cambuslang, Scotland on 15 August 1928.[1] His father's name was John Orr.[2] Orr began playing drums at the age of three, encouraged by his father, a drum major.[1] From the age of 16 Orr also played the trumpet, as a member of Basil Kirchin's band; however, he had difficulties with his embouchure and returned to the drums.[1]

## Later life and career[edit]

In the 1950s and 1960s, Orr was a fixture on the London jazz scene, including as a founder member of Joe Harriott's quintet[3] (which he left and subsequently rejoined) and for Tubby Hayes and others.[1] He also served as a house drummer at Ronnie Scott's Club, backing top American visitors such as Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Milt Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie.[2]

Orr had three tours with Benny Goodman.[1] As a freelance from 1970, he also toured with Billy Eckstine and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as Tommy Whittle and Don Lusher.[1] In the 1990s, Orr toured extensively with the UK Glenn Miller Tribute Band.[1] As an aside from his jazz career, he also played on many recording sessions for pop and rock artists such as Donovan and Dusty Springfield.[2]

## Discography[edit]

With Sandy Brown

* Work Song (Lake, 1962–68)
* Hair At It's Hairiest (Fontana, 1969)
* In the Evening (Lake, 1970–71)

With George Chisholm

* Clinton Ford (Oriole, 1962)
* In a Mellow Mood (Peerless, 1974)
* George Chisholm's Trombone Showcase (Line Records, 1975)
* The Swingin' Mr. C. (Zodiac Records, 1986)

With Digby Fairweather

* Songs for Sandy (Hep, 1970–82)

With Benny Goodman

* Benny Goodman Today (London records, 1970)

With Joe Harriott

* Blue Harriott (Columbia UK, 1959)
* A Guy Called Joe (Columbia UK, 1960)
* Southern Horizons (Jazzland, 1960)
* Abstract (Capitol, 1962)
* Movement (Columbia, 1963)
* High Spirits (Columbia, 1964)

With Shake Keane

* Bossa Negra (Columbia, 1962)
* That's the Noise (Decca, 1965)

Main source:[4]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g Chilton, John (2004). Who's Who of British Jazz (2nd ed.). Continuum. p. 267. ISBN 978-0-8264-7234-2.
2. ^ a b c Nicholls, Geoff (7 April 2015). "Bobby Orr". Rhythm. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
3. ^ Hancock, Bobby (18 January 2004). "Joe Harriott: A Restless Soul". All About Jazz. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
4. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.

## External links[edit]

* Bobby Orr at Drummers Unlimited site

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