Bobby Orr (drummer)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Orr (15 August 1928 – 12 March 2020) was a Scottish jazz drummer and session musician.
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
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]
