Howard Roberts

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

I was fortunate to have met Howard Roberts at a small jazz club in Minneapolis in the mid 70s. He was using a Benson amp, which I believe was made in Beaverton, Or.
I asked Howard if he had heard of Buddy Emmons or Curly Chalker? I was quite surprised when he replied, "Those two guys are Monster Players."

I moved to Seattle in 1978 and didn't know Howard lived in Edmonds, Wa., until I learned of his passing in June of 1992.

Roger

Neil Lang · From: Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA

I have been a Howard Roberts fan for over 40 years. I was surprised to see where he jammed at Scotty's Steel Show back in the 70's. I would have loved to been there! I am also a huge Bobby Caldwell fan!
I think it was Curly Chalker that Howard jammed with at that show?
Neil

[This message was edited by Neil Lang on 02 May 2006 at 03:35 AM.]

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

I used to have a Benson amp like Roberts played. I saw him at a NAMM show in the 70s and he played great. He was quite a session player and a wonderful jazz player and a fine teacher. He is worth studying.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 2 May 2006 5:58 am

Ditto on Howard. One of my (guitar) idols for over 40 years now, along with Hank Garland, Leon Rhodes, Leon Richardson, etc. etc.

Michael Breid · From: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

I too am a big Leon Rhodes fan. As great as he plays how come there aren't any albums out of him? Some of the early stuff he did with Emmons while with E.T. was really super.
If he ever put an album out and anyone knows about it, please let me know. Thanks.

Michael in the Ozarks

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I love Howard's combination of be-bop chops and bluesy feel. Unlike a lot of guitarists who play long lines of notes that have the same basic inflection (Herb Ellis comes to mind), Howard could phrase notes ahead, on or behind the beat to give his lines a real sense of ebb and flow. He'd play behind or ahead of the beat to start but always end in perfect rhythm. Sax players, like Stan Getz, could do this effortlessly too but it's a rare quality in guitarists.

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Neil, I believe there was a special concert in St. Louis in the mid 1970s that just featured Howard and Curly. Perhaps Russ Wever can supply more info on this topic.

Roger

[This message was edited by Roger Shackelton on 02 May 2006 at 11:08 AM.]

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

While we are talking about six stringers,This is just my opinion,I think one of the best jazz guitar albums ever made was Jazz Winds from a new direction,by Hank Garland with Paul Desmond,Joe Morello,and an 18 year old Gary Burton on vibes.Hank played on so many of the old country recordings,very few people outside the guitar community realized he was one of the best jazz players ever.

Pookie Anselmi · From: Galliano, Louisiana, USA

Studio guitarist Mitch Holder studied with Howard Roberts. He is working on a book about Howard along with transcriptions of his work.
This comes from an interview with Mitch done on guitar college magazine on dvd.
You can find the dvd/magazine at guitarcollege.com
It sells for 20.00 bucks, I think there is a special going on now thats 2 magazines for 20.00 with free shipping. Mitch's interview is in issue #9.

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Charles. Paul Desmond was not on the
"Jazz Winds" record. There is no Sax player, just guitar, vibes, bass, and drums. Desmond was the sax plyer in the Brubeck band with the drummer Joe Morrello. Joe Benjiman was the bass player on that record.

I love that record. I found it in a radio station in 1967 and it "followed me home" if you know what I mean.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Bill you are absolutely RIGHT,My mistake.Don't know what I was thinking[getting feeble minded I guess],But still love Desmond,and love the L,P[for all the kids out there,an L.P.was a pizza size big black disk long before C.D's came along,and my opinion sounded better.

Bobby Caldwell · From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA * R.I.P.

Neil, Thanks for the kind words. I was working at Scotty's Music in the mid 70's when we brought in Howard Roberts. He was always a favorite player of mine. He did a clinic and the later in the day a concert. He was a great guy to work with and we remained friends until his passing. I got to sit in with him that day as well as Bruce Bolin, who was with Gibson guitars at that time, and Curly played a set with Howard also. What a great day was had buy all and a day I will never forget. Bobby

[This message was edited by Bobby Caldwell on 05 May 2006 at 08:04 AM.]

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

Oh to hear a tape of Curly and Howard Roberts.

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

Man what I'd give for a video of that jam session. One of my favorite steel players, Curley Chalker, and one of my favorite guitar players, Howard Roberts together. I'll bet that was unforgettable.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

Howard was my 1st music teacher. Stared on 6 string guitar with him when I was 11 yrs old. After I started playing steel a number of years later, I got to jam with him at G.I.T. in Hollywood one afternoon.
JE:-)>

Russ Wever · From: Kansas City

When Howard Roberts came in, he played with a local rhythm section - also Gibson guitarist Bruce Bolen was on the show, and, of course, our own Bobby Caldwell as well.

Curly came up from Nashville and sat in the last portion of the show.

Scotty always made it a point to record (audio) the shows, and he was dismayed that the tapes went missing soon after that show.
Scotty didn't video record that far back.

~Russ

[This message was edited by Russ Wever on 05 May 2006 at 01:37 PM.]

Smiley Roberts · From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

I have several albums by Howard,but one of my all-time favs is,"H.R. Is A Dirty Guitar Player".

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Andy Greatrix · From: Edmonton Alberta

How about "Color him Funky". Was that the LP that Florance of Arabia came off of?

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I think my favorite HR album is one that was recorded live with Dave Grusin on piano. I can't remember now where it was recorded, Yoshi's maybe. They both really let their hair down. I haven't listened to it in a while, I need to dig it out of the stack and give it a listen.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording