Bobby Shew was born in Albuquerque (New Mexico). He started playing guitar at age eight, and switched to trumpet at age ten. He was already playing in a variety of local bands by the age 13 and had his own band at fifteen. He played six nights per week in a dinner club for most of his high school years, which gave him an early start to his professional life. After leaving high school, he spent three years as the solo jazz trumpet player in the NORAD multi-service band. He joined the Tommy Dorsey orchestra under Sam Donahue shortly after he left. This gave him the opportunity to perform with Charlie Shavers, a trumpet legend. Bobby was invited to join Woody Herman’s group by Bill Chase after his stint with Tommy Dorsey. After leaving Tommy Dorsey, he spent time with Buddy Rich and Della Reese. Buddy Rich’s big band was just being formed. Bobby was a trumpeter for many pop stars and he played in similar situations. Bobby moved to Las Vegas, where he was a well-known figure in many hotels and casinos. Bobby was well-known for his strong lead playing, rather than being a jazz soloist. In 1972, he made a decision to move to Los Angeles to continue his development as a jazz musician. Bobby found the right group when he arrived in Los Angeles. He spent many years with Art Pepper, Bud Shank and Horace Silver Quintet as well as other big jazz players such as Louie Bellson and Toshiko Akiyoshi–Lew Tabackin. Bobby was not only a sideman but also a leader, recording many of his own albums. Many of his albums received high praises from critics, and were highly ranked on the airplay charts. In 1980, Outstanding In His Field was nominated by Grammy. In 1983, Heavy Company was named Jazz Album Of The Year by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Bobby was also able to find a lot of studio work during this period, including TV shows such as Hawaii 5-O’ and Streets Of San Francisco’, Bobby Newhart, Mary Tyler Moore, Midnight Specials’. ‘Don Kirschner Rock Concert,’?Happy Days’. ‘Laverne and Shirley’. ‘Eight Is Enough. He has worked on many soundtracks, including ‘Grease I and II,’ ‘Rocky I and II,’ ‘Six-Pack,’ ‘The Muppet Movie,’ ‘The Drivers,’ and ‘Taxi. Bobby is a very active participant in the education system. He conducts master classes and clinics at colleges and high schools around the globe. Bobby is also active on the International Trumpet Guild Board of Directors and served as the National Trumpet Chair for the International Association of Jazz Educator’s 16-years. Many articles of educational value are published in trade magazines. They can all be translated into many languages for distribution worldwide. Bobby was a host on a weekly television show called “Just Jazz” while he was traveling around New Zealand. He has also been an artist-in residence in many countries. He has also had minor roles in TV and movies. He continues to perform internationally as well as to record and produce great music. His most recent albums include Playing With Fire (w/Tom Harrell), Heavyweights, (w/Carl Fontana), as well as Salsa Caliente. Bobby also released a highly-respected CD with The Metropole Orchestra and a double-CD set on Seabreeze Records of The Music of John Harmon. Other discography pages include other albums. Bobby has been a Yamaha endorser for many years. The fact that they recently used him to advertise is another sign of his popularity. Bobby Shew uses his extraordinary insight, sensitivity, and creativity to inspire the next generation jazz musicians and teachers. from http://www.bobbyshew.com
