This is "the 90 Minute Read of a Lifetime!"

Born into the cradle days of The Great Depression, Bob Washington's youth in the Bronx area of New York City was enriched by a heady concoction of ethnic, cultural and neighborhood confluences.

After Schooling, during which time he was introduced to and forever seduced by the art of Jazz, he served in the Army during World War II, followed by jobs in the social sector while constantly involved in community affairs.

While his days as a budding Louis Armstron were limited, an extended stint as a Jazz DJ mark a historical pattern of intense social consciousness and commitment to "America's Only Original Art Form."

It has been out of this authentically sublime, uniquely American experience that Darby Hicks was inexorably 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 humorous, sensitive, but always penetrating, "Darby" will have you nodding, "Yes, Yes," many times each page!

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Producer's Notes

You won't find Bob Washington (1922, NYC, NY) in the discographies, even though he's been around almost since the first Jazz recording. Bob's involvement with Jazz began when, as a teenager, he was introduced to the 78 rpm sounds of Prez and Billie and bagan frequenting the area venues to catch the big bands. After a sting in the army (1942-46) he studied trumpet for a while before joining up with the post office (1945-67). In 1967 he turned to directing an anti-poverty program (1967-78) and continued working as a disc jockey, a gig he began during his mailman days. In 1980 he moved to St. Croix to do social services work and finally retired in 1983.

Throughout all of this, Jazz and writing have been his continuing passions. As for writing, he wrote his first poems in thrid grade and has also written, and has performed in a number of plays.

The text of this largely autobiographical odyssey, while pre-written, was delivered with a fair amount of improvising on Bob's part, and almost completely by Dominic and Steve, with about half of the sections accomplished in one take. A complet and involved journey, simply told with insightful truths. That's my say. Listen to Bob's poem and hear it a better way.

Robert D. Rusch - April 24, 2002

This date is essentially a "brother's" narrative of growing up in America from the pre- WWII years. It's a story funny, funky, and poignant, and delivered with improvised surroundings which suggest some parallels to the collaboration between Charles Mingus and Jean Shephard on "The Clown." A good tale, well told with outstanding improvisations. Recorded April 23 & 24, 2002.

Darby Hicks Overture - The Bronx - "Don't get your feet wet" - Hitchin' on a trolley car - 1940-1949 Painful "Hip" Recollections - 1950-1969 "Hip" Wyandanch Recollections - I am the Lord - 1970-1989 Rhythmic "Hip" Recollections - 1990-The Millennium: Soulful Hip Recollections - Now I know there'd be an enemy among us... - Duke Ellington wrote a song... - So to close... - Darby Hicks Finale

Product number: CIMP 268

This album/recording can be purchased from "The Cadence Building Web" or ordering instructions are HERE.

You can also order by Fax: 1-315-287-2860 or Phone: 1-315-287-2852

The CD is also available at