Bob is a classically trained musician and is accomplished in all styles. He was always interested in playing Dixieland jazz, but didn't actually start doing it until 1981 with the formation of the Cell Block 7 Jazz Band. His love for jazz has really blossomed through working with this band, and continues undiminished.

After graduating from Chattanooga, Tennessee's Southern College with a BS in Music Education he moved to California where he taught instrumental music in 4th through 12th grades for over 30 years.

He's now retired, but still teaches brass to private students and spends as much time as possible with his lovely wife, Carol - who's also a musician, and often joins the band to do specialty numbers on flute.

Bob is one of America's greatest proponents of youth bands and has been working with younger players since 1988, when he became involved with youth bands sponsored by the San Joaquin Dixieland jazz society.

He started and coached various youth jazz bands, like the 'Riverboat Rascals', the 'Hot'n Tots', the 'Alley Cats', and the 'Barkin' Dawg' jazz bands and there's been much fun along the way.

The youth bands have played at various jazz festivals in places as far flung as Connecticut, Chilliwack (Canada), Friday Harbor (Washington), Bradenton (Florida), Whidbey Island (Washington), and the biggest one of them all, 'The Sacramento Jubilee' in California.

Another of Bob's youth projects is a promising young band which is modelled after Lu Watters' Yerba Buena Jazz Band and is called 'The Alligator Stomperz'. Its enthusiastic members range from 6th grade to 8th grade students.