Bobby Christian

A longtime fixture from the Dick Schory Percussion Pops Orchestra, percussionist, arranger, and composer Bobby Christian also headlined some space age pop LPs very much popular by exotica aficionados. Delivered Sylvester Christian in Chicago on Oct 20, 1911, he obtained his 1st drum package at age six, later learning for two years beneath the famed percussion educator Roy Knapp (who also tutored Gene Krupa and Hal Blaine). Christian quit college at 14 to become listed on Chicago bandleader Louie Panico, spending another five years playing at the neighborhood Canton Tea Landscapes. In 1930, he started a two-year tour to get vocalist Sophie Tucker, finally time for the Windy Town and putting your signature on on with violinist Eddie Varzo. Christian increased to nationwide prominence in 1938 after becoming a member of the famed Paul Whiteman music group like a drummer and arranger. The grind of touring used him down, nevertheless, and upon time for Chicago in 1940, he continued to be there through the entire decade, becoming a member of Roy Shield’s NBC radio orchestra and taking pleasure in a lucrative profession playing on marketing jingle classes. Christian also worked well under conductor Fritz Reiner using the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and in 1944 founded the Bobby Christian College of Percussion, which counted among its college students potential drumming greats Cozy Cole and Lou Vocalist. In 1950, he relocated to NEW YORK, where he rejoined Whiteman for the ABC tv program Stories of Tomorrow. In 1955, he became a member of the famous Arturo Toscannini’s NBC Symphony from the Air flow, touring china and taiwan using the orchestra before once again resettling in Chicago the next year. Furthermore to leading his personal dance music group, Christian became a member of Schory’s Percussion Pops Orchestra, a display for his exclusive one-man-band abilities. Relating to fellow percussionist Duanne Thamm, “[Christian] performed ‘Sabre Dance’ seated, two correct mallets within the xylophone, remaining hands playing two timpani, bass drum with the proper feet and bells before the xylophone. He brought the home down!” Under Schory’s management, Christian cut some LPs for RCA’s Stereo system Action imprint, included in this 1958’s Music for Bang, Baa-Room and Harp, 1960’s Music to Break Any Feeling, and 1962’s Vacation for Percussion, making the nickname “Mr. Percussion” for his virtuosity. The moniker also offered as the name of his 1st headlining work for Mercury, a 1963 full-length highlighted by an ethereal edition of “Cherokee” offering wife Vernyle’s wordless vocal results. Even better may be the impressive Audio Fidelity launch Strings for an area Age, a vintage from the space exotica subgenre. Carrying out a group of LPs including Percussion in Velvet, Vibe-Brations, and DOING HIS THING, Christian’s recording profession ended in the first ’70s, and in the years to check out, he channeled his energies into teaching, providing private lessons furthermore to hosting treatment centers for aspiring music artists both in the home and overseas. He also published some instructional books as well as created a how-to video, Bobby Christian’s Methods from the Trade. In 1989, Christian was inducted in to the Percussion Arts Society’s Hall of Popularity. He passed away unexpectedly on Dec 31, 1991, at age 80.