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"Where does my music fit in? everywhere...after a 16 hour a day corporate schedule (or whatever you do), after a screaming
(wonderful) new born that's been up all night or after you've been on I/405 in L.A., that's when you drop "Bayside"
into the CD player and go on vacation."
That's a hint of what Bobby means by everywhere. He says "everyone (everywhere) needs time to refresh, listen to
something sweet, unwind and just mellow out." He loves writing instrumentals most because it gives you freedom to reflect.
Bobby blends hints of flavor from around the globe into a Smooth Jazz mix laced with heavy hooks. Bobby says " "hooks"
are the melodic part of a song that you remember most." He continues to attract audiences of all ages and cultures. "I
love worship as well, that's where my peace and joy comes from." Variety is key to this songwriter, he loves to switch
it up!
"Give me some keyboards, steel drums, sax, flute, koto, guitar, 2 strips of bacon...anything I can get my hands on.
When you listen to my music you'll probably hear two of my favorite instruments (guitar & sax). I always wished that
I could play those. I love using sounds and cultural rhythms as well. Inside the box? (naaa)...that's like eating corn flakes
24/7. Give me variety."
In short, Bobby grew up in north Omaha on 37th street and Paxton Blvd. In elementary school he chose, as his first instrument,
the trombone. Bobby says "I got the clue real quick...that having asthma and living in hospitals most every week-end,
playing the trombone was not going to work. You need a lot of wind."
"As a kid I lived under oxygen tents but I had my AM Radio (I repeat AM) and loved listening to it. Bobby says "all
kinds of music was played on that (1) one station." As a teen I began plucking out melodies on the church piano with
two fingers (still do..just kidding) until I could make a song, but playing drums was more natural."
"I listened to musicians like Billy Cobham, Harvey Mason, Lenny White, Steve Gadd and Herbie Hancock, and became
a real time keeper." I also listened to melody greats like Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Michael McDonald, EWF &
M. Jackson which helped me learn how to hook."
Bobby moved to Denver and began playing drums for raggae bands doing covers of Bob Marley, Steel Pulse and Third World.
But after a few years of band members not showing up for practice and making $7 -$12.00 (or a chicken dinner) a concert he
thought it best to raise his family and keep his day job at the phone company. "I had a wonderful time raising my family,
the memories with my wife Kathy and the little ones are priceless and will remain in my heart."
As "Smooth Jazz" began to pickup steam he began listening to guys like George Benson, Earl Klugh, Lee Ritenour,
Bob James, Michael McDonald and Spyra Gyra. Bobby practiced writing 1-2 songs a week. About 1993 he met his good friend and
singer James VanBuren who heard his music and said "man, you need to get out of this corner and let other people hear
your music." After releasing "Wait A Minute" Bobby decided to pursue music full time.
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Some
quotes in JAZZIZ
Whalum
also plays a small but significant role in the teamwork synergy of keyboardist/composer Bobby Wells vibrant debut, "Its About Time." Over a propulsive drive-time beat, the saxman &
tenor doubles Wells hooky melody note-for-note, then dominates the song before newcomer Darren Rahn's alto joins for a soaring sax duet.
Wells - who experiments
with synth sounds and rhythmic possibilities with the aplomb of George
Duke-also employs fellow Denver native Nelson Rangell's
percussive sax abilities to lead the funky proceedings of "Do Me Right" (on alto) and the title track (soprano).
On
"The Groove" Wells uses an electric-piano timbre to color an improvisational jam that generates just as much excitement without
the horns.
BY JONATHAN WIDRAN
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| Mayor Wellington Webb and Bobby |
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GETTING A DAY named after you is quite an experience!
"What an
honor it is to receive this proclamation! I can't even begin to explain what I feel, course it would probably take up
this whole website. First of all, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me a heart for people. Christianity is
about people."
Get one's self out of the way and just help, anyway you can, just help. I was once told by a well known
Hollywood producer that "positive doesn't sell." Well, you just can't believe everything people say to you.
I sum
it up by a few scriptures that come to mind (I Corinthians 13:1-7) Bottom line...His Love. "One of these days I'll figure
out what to do with a day like this. If you have any ideas e-mail me...smile."
Thanks Mayor Webb
ARTISTS, MUSICIANS & FRIENDS
I've had the pleasure of working with:
Pamela Renee, Yvonne Brown, Randy Villars, John
Barnes, Hazel Miller, Ras Iginga, Ralph Dickerson, Chuck Berry, Karen Karsh, Dik Darnell, Arno Lucas, Eric Darius, Lawerence
Sims, Eric Robnet, Larry Thompson, Dave VanSuch, Dave Summers, Ken Trujillo, David London, Keith Rogers, Eric Baines, Mark
Derryberry, James VanBuren, Myron Chandler, Vernon Barbery, Isdro Aybar, Randy Chavez, On Second Thought, Derrik Edmondson,
Micheal Delnegro, Bob Rebholtz, Gino Diquincio, Bee Harris and more.
A VERY BIG THANKS
Goes out to these special people who invested in a dream.
Dan & Traci Morton, Dave & Jan Holcomb, Marilyn Weber, Andy Goldberg, Dave & Karen Stackhouse, Jay Dikeman, Lola Osmond, Lyle
& Donna Johnson, Sharon Pfannenstiel, Ed Berry, Gloria Hodge, Bob & Jo Morton, Angie Weiman, Helen Weber, Colette, Billy Owen
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