Bobby Hackett: Biography

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• Harry James
• Kenny Davern
• Eddie Condon
• Bob Wilber
• Warren Vaché
• Ruby Braff
• Doc Cheatham

• Louis Armstrong
• Bix Beiderbecke

• Wild Bill Davison
• Ruby Braff
• Miles Davis/Charlie Parker
• Esquivel
• Dizzy Gillespie

• George Wettling

• George Gershwin
• Spencer Williams
• Vic Dickenson
• D.J. LaRocca
• Ira Gershwin

• World's Greatest Jazz Band

• Glenn Miller
• Jack Teagarden
• Bob Haggart
• Billy Butterfield
• George Wettling
• Pee Wee Russell
• Bud Freeman

Born:

Jan 31, 1915 in Providence, RI

Died:

Jun 7, 1976 in Chatham, MA

Genres:

Jazz Music, Swing, Classic Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1930's|1940's|1950's|1960's|1970's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

Bobby Hackett's mellow tone and melodic style offered a contrast to the brasher Dixielandoriented trumpeters. Emphasizing his middleregister and lyricism, Hackett was a flexible soloist who actually sounded little like his main inspiration, Louis Armstrong.

When Hackett first came up he was briefly known as "the new Bix" because of the similarity in his approach to that of Bix Beiderbecke, but very soon he developed his own distinctive sound. Originally a guitarist (which he doubled on until the mid'40s), Hackett performed in local bands, and by 1936 was leading his own group. He moved to New York in 1937, played with Joe Marsala, appeared at Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall concert (recreating Beiderbecke's solo on "I'm Coming Virginia"), recorded with Eddie Condon, and by 1939 had a shortlived big band. Hackett played briefly with Horace Heidt, and during 19411942 was with Glenn Miller's Orchestra, taking a famous solo on "String of Pearls." Next up was a stint with the Casa Loma Orchestra, and then he became a studio musician while still appearing with jazz groups. Hackett was a major asset at Louis Armstrong's 1947 Town Hall Concert, in the 1950s he was a star on Jackie Gleason's commercial but jazzflavored mood music albums, and he recorded several times with Eddie Condon and Jack Teagarden. During 19561957, Hackett led an unusual group that sought to modernize Dixieland (using Dick Cary's arrangements and an unusual instrumentation), but that band did not catch on. Hackett recorded some commercial dates during 19591960 (including one set of Hawaiian songs and another in which he was backed by pipe organ), he worked with Benny Goodman (19621963); backed Tony Bennett in the mid'60s; coled a wellrecorded quintet with Vic Dickenson (19681970); and made sessions with Jim Cullum, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, and even Dizzy Gillespie and Mary Lou Williams, remaining active up until his death. Among the many labels Bobby Hackett recorded for as a leader were Okeh (reissued by Epic), Commodore, Columbia, Epic, Capitol, Sesac, Verve, Project 3, Chiaroscuro, Flying Dutchman, and Honey Dew.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide