TRUMPET PLAYERS AND THEIR STORIES

THE BOBBY SHEW STORY

  There are many great trumpet players in the world, but Bobby Shew is one of the greatest. Many trumpet players do not get the recognition they deserve; unfortunately, that’s the way of the music business. However, in the trumpet world, Bobby Shew is well known and highly respected. Not only is he one of the greatest trumpet players who ever lived, he is also one of the nicest.

I first heard about Bobby in the 70’s. He was described as a guy who could play good lead trumpet and good jazz improvisation. This was, to some degree, an uncommon feat.

    Bobby had a successful career playing in many well-known big bands: Buddy Rich, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Maynard Ferguson, and Toshiko Akiyoshi-Lew Tabackin, to name a few. He also had a successful run in the studios playing for TV shows including Mary Tyler Moore, Hawaii 5-O, and Streets of San Francisco, as well as movies, such as Rocky 1, Rocky II, Taxi, and The Muppet Show, among others.

    Even though he had “made it” in the studios, Bobby gave up his “secure” career in 1982 and dedicated his life to teaching music and playing jazz. In that arena, he forged an incredible career and touched the lives of many aspiring trumpet players.

    It is with great pleasure and honor that I present “The Bobby Shew Story”.

-Scott Weiss

Approx. 87 min. Interview and Instrumental