Bob "Sir Bob-O" Washington
"Knight of the Turntable"

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Born in the cradle days of the Great Depression, Bob Washington's youth in the Bronx was enriched by a heady concoction of ethnic, cultural and neighborhood confluences. After schooling, during which time he was introduced to and foever seduced by the Art of Jazz. He served in the Army during World War 2, followed by jobs in the social sector while constently involved in community affairs. While his days as a budding Louis Armstrong were limited, an extended stint as a Jazz DJ, mark a historical pattern of intense social consciousness and commitment to "America's Only Orginal Art Form." It has been out of this authentically sublime, uniquely American experience that Darby Hicks was spawned to explain the richness and complexity of one Senior Bronx Homeboy's life and times that you will share with glee and passion. At once humerous, sensitive, but always penetrating!!

Charles Gray; Program Director Villages Jazz Lovers Club

The word "JAZZ,"

as defined in Webster's New World Dictionary; "A kind of music originally improvised, but now also arranged. Characterized by syncopation, rubato, usually heavily accented rhythms, dissonances, individualized melodic variations, and unusual tonal effects on musical instruments."

Pretty heavy and profound definition of JAZZ.

However, it fails to include the major ingredient of JAZZ. Does it swing?

I'm fed-up with so-called smooth jazz, fusion jazz, etc. the proponents exaulting the talents of players ie: Kenny G, Dave Koz, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Boney James. All good players, but they do not swing.

All beneficiaries of the new hi-tech recording industry. "Fix it in the Mix."

Give me the full open brass sound of Clifford Brown. "No Fix in the Mix."

The sardonic vitality in the reflections of a Lester Young interpretation of a standard ballad. "No Fix in the Mix."

The constant unmistakingly solid rhythmic beat of Freddie Green on guitar in the Count Basie Band. "No Fix in the Mix."

The playing (not the beating) of the drums by Roy Haynes. "No Fix in the Mix."

And to watch JAZZ musicians walk on stage, dapper, agree on the tune, the key, hit the downbeat, and start to swing. Musical artists at work, creating, not getting in anybody's way, knowing when to solo, to exchange fours, stretching out, but never losing the melody, and always getting back to one.

JAZZ needs no "Fix in the Mix."

JAZZ has been here, is here, and will always be here.

Case closed!

Bob Washington,
(aka) Sir Bob-O

Editorial in October, 2000, World Jazz Network Directory (Jazz Connection)

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Bob "Sir Bob-O" Washington "Knight of the Turntable"

The word "JAZZ,"

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Bob "Sir Bob-O" Washington
"Knight of the Turntable"