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Howard Roberts

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Howard Roberts was an American jazz guitarist, teacher and session musician, born on 2 October 1929 in Phoenix, Arizona. He started on guitar at eight, on a student model Gibson that he received for Christmas. At fifteen he was already playing professionally, mainly blues-oriented music, and learned from Black musicians, including trumpeter Art Farmer. He later called that time the most valuable for his development. At seventeen he took a course in the system of Joseph Schillinger, a composer and theorist who applied mathematical principles to art.

Music and breakthrough

In 1950 he moved to Los Angeles, without lodgings and with only a guitar and an amplifier. He played in the after-hours scene with Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon and Buddy DeFranco and struck up a friendship with Barney Kessel. Through Jack Marshall he joined Capitol Records in 1963. He worked with Neal Hefti, Henry Mancini, Bobby Troup, Chico Hamilton and George Van Eps. Albums include Jazz Studio Two from 1954, This Is Howard Roberts Color Him Funky from 1963, The Velvet Groove from 1966 and Spinning Wheel from 1969.

Influence

Roberts had a style of his own, bluesy and technically strong, and worked a great deal as a studio guitarist. He also taught. He died on 28 June 1992.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to This Is Howard Roberts Color Him Funky. Notice the blues feeling in his guitar playing and how loosely he makes the phrases swing.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists