Howard Roberts, born October 2, 1929 and died June 28, 1992. He was an American jazz guitarist. Roberts was born in Phoenix and started playing guitar when he was 8. He was already playing locally professionally by the age of 15. He moved to Los Angeles in 1950. With Jack Marshall’s help, he moved to Los Angeles and began playing with Chico Hamilton, Bobby Troup, and Barney Kessel. Bobby Troup signed him as a solo artist to Verve Records in 1956. He decided to focus on recording at the same time as solo artists and session musicians. This was a direction that he would keep until the 1970s. Roberts was a rhythm guitarist, lead guitarist, bass, and mandolin player, as well as a producer for TV and film projects. He also played lead guitar in The Twilight Zone’s theme, and guitar on The Munsters’ theme. Roberts supported Georgie Auld (Fever), Eddie Cochran(Sittin In The Balcony), Bobby Day, Jody Reynolds (Endless Sleep), Shelley Fabares/Johnny Angel), Dean Martin, Houston, The Monkees and Roy Clark as well as Chet Atkins and The Electric Prunes. Roberts released Color Him Funky in 1963 and H.R. His first two albums, Is A Dirty Guitar player and Color Him Funky, were his first recordings after signing with Capitol. They were both produced by Jack Marshall and feature the same four-piece of Roberts (guitar), Chuck Berghofer(bass), Earl Palmer(drums), and Paul Bryant (alternating with Burkley Kendrix (organ). The Dirty CD released both albums under the same title.
