Bob Henderson returns to Singleton

Bob (pictured ) spent his teenage and early adult life in Singleton, many years before his trumpeting talent took him on a journey with internationally acclaimed band, the Graeme Bell All Stars.

Bob left Singleton High School in 1957 and became an apprentice compositor at The Singleton Argus in the great Robinson family newspaper era.  He was in the Singleton Town Band, the Swimming Club, played rugby league and was a member of the Singleton water polo team that won the State Country titles three years running.  Bob admits Singleton did have the advantage of having former Olympian Kevin Hallett in the side.

He and two mates, Richard Roffey and Brett Slattery, formed the Jazz Katz spending  most weekends playing at school dances, country halls from Jerrys Plains to Broke to Glendonbrook, the CWA Hall, Anglican Parish Hall and the NAA Pavilion and many other venues around the Hunter. “Playing with the Jazz Katz was an early inspiration for my career in music”, Bob said.

One night, during a midnight to dawn dance at Singleton’s Masonic Hall, a band from Newcastle was performing and suggested Bob visit the Jazz Club in Newcastle.  That visit and an invite to join the Harbourside Six back in 1962 saw him eventually make the move to Newcastle.

Following his years with the ‘Six’ in the 60s and 70s he played clubs, cabaret, recording, television and touring shows, backing many local and international acts.

In 1979 he moved to Sydney after an invitation from Graeme Bell to join the All Stars. “This was an opportunity of a lifetime. It changed my life extricably forever” Bob said. The band entertained audiences throughout Australia, UK, Europe, New Zealand, South East Asia, Japan and China. Soon after joining the band Bob’s father Eric died, Graeme became as much a father figure as a boss. In later years following Graeme’s retirement their friendship endured. Graeme died in 2012 at age 97.    

When the Bob Henderson Jazz Band steps on stage at St Catherine’s Catholic College McAuley Hall at 2pm on July 26  it will be only the second time Bob has played in Singleton since the early 60s, his band performing here four years ago. “Until that occasion I had performed in just about every place you can think of and I felt sad I never had the chance to play in my old hometown,” Bob said.

Bob now calls Caves Beach home.  He teaches trumpet at a number of schools and maintains regular gigs in Sydney with his band.

The concert has been arranged by Singleton Arts and Music Society (SAMS) and largely comes from a phone call from SAMS member and old acquaintance Geoff Dunlop. Bob is delighted to be included in the 2015 program and says it will be fantastic to perform again in Singleton providing a chance to reminisce with the audience. 

For the Singleton concert Bob is proud to have assembled some of the most highly recognised jazz players in Australia. 

Kevin Hunt (piano) has played and studied overseas, performed with Don Burrows for over 12 years and lectures at Sydney Conservatorium. He is currently performing jazz/classicalwith Simon Tedeschi  and performs with singer Emma Pask

Craig Scott (double bass) has studied overseas with legendary jazz artists, as well as playing with visiting jazz artists, played with leading contemporary jazz groups artists in Sydney and leads his own quintet. Craig is Chair of Jazz Studies and senior lecturer at Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Studies. 

Lawrie Thompson (drums) has a wealth of experience including playing for Graeme Bell, Bill Burton, Bob Barnard, Don Burrows, Galapagos Duck and the Channel 9 Orchestra. 

Paul Furniss (saxophone and clarinet), whilst leading his own band the San Francisco Jazz Band, plays with many other diverse bands and is regarded as one of Australia’s leading jazz stylists.

The music presented during the afternoon is merely a small part of an immense repertoire.  You can expect to hear classic traditional jazz tunes, tunes from the swing era, and many other well-known jazz standards, played by these very professional players.

Tickets for the event are available at the door to McAuley Hall at St Catherine’s Catholic college from 1pm with the concert starting at 2pm.