[Trombone-l] Havens Joins Cullum Band

[Bill Dinwiddie]

>From the "Riverwalk Jazz" Newsletter:

Trombone Veteran Bob Havens
Joins the Jim Cullum Jazz Band
Bob Havens, a virtuoso jazz trombonist known for his many appearances at 
jazz festivals and concerts worldwide, has joined forces with the Jim Cullum 
Jazz Band. Kenny Rupp, whom Havens replaces, will continue to play with the 
band at the Landing in San Antonio two nights a week.

Havens was born in 1930 in Quincy, Illinois and received formal musical 
training on violin, piano, trombone, and composition. After serving in the 
Illinois National Guard as a bandsman during the Korean conflict, He left 
Quincy in 1955 to tour with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra. In 1956 he joined 
the George Girrard Jazz Band in New Orleans at the Famous Door where he met 
his mentor, Jack Teagarden.

Bob left Girrard in 1957 to join the newly formed Al Hirt band which 
appeared at Dan's Pier 600 on Bourbon Street. The front line of that band 
was Hirt, Bob, and Pete Fountain.

During the time in New Orleans, he recorded albums for the Good Times Jazz 
and Vic labels with the Girrad band and on Verve and Audio Fidelity with 
Hirt. He also recorded about a dozen albums for the Southland label with 
many other New Orleans musicians.

Havens is among a handful of top jazz players such as Peanuts Hucko and Pete 
Fountain who rose to fame via the long-running Lawrence Welk Show TV series.

During the 1980s, Bob found his services very much in demand. He worked 
often with the Bob Crosby Bob Cats and the Benny Goodman Orchestra.

Bob says, "I'm absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Jim 
Cullum Jazz Band."

(Forwarded by Bill Dinwiddie)