TubaForum.net

It’s being reported on social media he passed.

(assuming it's true....)

Oh no. Giant of the tuba, we're all in his debt and shadow

I still remember seeing him on the tonight show when I was beginner, I told myself I wanted to play like that


I never made it

A very sad day. One of the greatest players of all time. A true LEGEND.

Wow, Floyd Cooley and Roger Bobo in such a short time. 2 true legends.... it's been a rough couple of months.

Bobissimo forever!

Probably one of his last master classes was last year in the Nashville area. I was planning to go - even though it's a six or seven hour round trip drive.

I ended up being sick - and didn't want to make anyone else sick - so I decided to stay home. On that day, I was certain I would never see him again.

I had talked to a trombone playing friend/colleague in the Nashville area into going. He told me that a lot of the same advice you always hear was given, along with advice about distracting performance habits - such as inhaling with the mouth on the mouthpiece (which makes a gross noise), and some types of physical behaviors which are distracting to the patrons or audience.

I was very fortunate to have been able to study with Roger from 18yo to 23y. To this very day I still (try to) heed his advice.

His passion for music was highly contagious, as was his passion for food!

RIP Roger.

I am very sorry to hear this, the end of an era

Rest in peace, sir. I loved listening to your music. You influenced and informed my playing as few others have done.

When I think of this man's playing this will *always* be the first thing that comes into my mind.

Thanks Wade, that was Really nice. And thanks Roger, Wherever you are. ala Jimmy Durannte Rest in peace.Ed

.

Thank you so much for posting this! A true legend has passed. Rest in peace, Maestro!

Rest in peace, dear friend!
The tuba world lost one big voice, the heavenly choir got a new member.
I will always remember how he could listen to a player for a minute, think for some seconds, say a few words and the playing was improved. Or his joy when he heard me playing a piece on the french C tuba and admitted that he always hated this piece. But he had it heard before only with bass trombone and with the little C it sounded completely different.
And I will always remember the two hours of intimate talking in my car when I took him to the airport at the end of his last visit in Germany.
We all owe you much!

Snake Charmer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 5:09 amOr his joy when he heard me playing a piece on the french C tuba and admitted that he always hated this piece. But he had it heard before only with bass trombone and with the little C it sounded completely different.

' curious... Was it the Tomasi piece?

"Piccolo Suite" by Pierre Max Dubois, another of those "pour Tuba ut ou Saxhorn basse Sib ou Trombone basse et Piano" pieces. Most of them do not work well on bass bone...

Snake Charmer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 5:32 am "Piccolo Suite" by Pierre Max Dubois, another of those "pour Tuba ut ou Saxhorn basse Sib ou Trombone basse et Piano" pieces. Most of them do not work well on bass bone...

thanks...

I'm even less of a "bass trombone as a solo instrument" person than a "tuba as..." and your instrument is closer to a euphonium.

I view the bass trombone as a musical appliance to frighten/overwhelm or to delight (ref: George Roberts)...but not to listen to all by itself from five minutes to an four.

I view the bass trombone as a musical appliance to frighten/overwhelm or to delight (ref: George Roberts)...but not to listen to all by itself from five minutes to an four.

Bass trombones and piccolo flutes are weapons of mass destruction!

I’m heart broken.

Snake Charmer wrote: ↑Mon Feb 13, 2023 5:52 am

I view the bass trombone as a musical appliance to frighten/overwhelm or to delight (ref: George Roberts)...but not to listen to all by itself from five minutes to an four.

Bass trombones and piccolo flutes are weapons of mass destruction!

Bass bone is mostly a tuned percussion instrument, in the hands of most, and that's where the most interesting performances are. There are frightfully few who can play it like a musical instrument. In college trombone choirs, it's heavy percussion. It's too hard on your air supply to be much else.

Did Bobo ever slip into the slidey arts? He plays an F tuba like a cimbasso. That recording was really amazing. Pilafian was the last tubist who had a bigger effect on me.

Did Bobo ever slip into the slidey arts?

Roger loved to play his BBb contrabass trombone, a double-slide-dual-bore pre-1909 Conn with a retrofitted F-valve. At least in his L.A. years he used it regulary.