Bobby Naughton
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bobby" Naughton is an American jazz
vibraphonist.
Naughton was born in Boston
; he played piano from age seven. In the 1960s he played piano in rock and lounge
outfits before a stint in the Army
, where he played organ. Following his discharge he attended arts school and studied painting.
In 1966, he began playing vibraphone, and before the end of the decade played with Perry Robinson
, and Sheila Jordan
. He began releasing material on his own label, Otic Records, in 1969. He assisted filmmaker Hans Richter
, writing the score to the silent film
Everyday, which he had filmed in 1929. In 1972 he played in the Jazz Composers Orchestra, and from 1973 until the beginning of the 1980s he played with Wadada Leo Smith
. From 1978 to 1982 he toured with Anthony Braxton
in the Creative Music Orchestra.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
vibraphonist.
Naughton was born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
; he played piano from age seven. In the 1960s he played piano in rock and lounge
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
outfits before a stint in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, where he played organ. Following his discharge he attended arts school and studied painting.
In 1966, he began playing vibraphone, and before the end of the decade played with Perry Robinson
Perry Robinson
Perry Morris Robinson is an American jazz clarinetist and composer. He is the son of the noted composer Earl Robinson. -Biography:...
, and Sheila Jordan
Sheila Jordan
Sheila Jordan is an American jazz singer and songwriter. Jordan has recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to a notable solo career....
. He began releasing material on his own label, Otic Records, in 1969. He assisted filmmaker Hans Richter
Hans Richter (artist)
Hans Richter was a painter, graphic artist, avant-gardist, film-experimenter and producer. He was born in Berlin into a well-to-do family and died in Minusio, near Locarno, Switzerland.-Germany:...
, writing the score to the silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
Everyday, which he had filmed in 1929. In 1972 he played in the Jazz Composers Orchestra, and from 1973 until the beginning of the 1980s he played with Wadada Leo Smith
Wadada Leo Smith
Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith is a trumpeter and composer working primarily in the fields of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation.-Biography:...
. From 1978 to 1982 he toured with Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton
Anthony Braxton is an American composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist, and philosopher. Braxton has released well over 100 albums since the 1960s...
in the Creative Music Orchestra.
As leader
- Nature's Consort (Otic Records, 1969)
- Understanding (Otic, 1971) also released in Europe on JAPO
- The Haunt (Otic, 1976)
- Nauxtagram(Otic, 1979)
- Solo Vibraphone (Otic, 1979)
- Zoar(Otic CD, 2002)
As sideman
With Wadada Leo SmithWadada Leo Smith
Ishmael Wadada Leo Smith is a trumpeter and composer working primarily in the fields of avant-garde jazz and free improvisation.-Biography:...
- Divine LoveDivine Love (album)Divine Love is an album by American jazz trumpeter and composer Leo Smith recorded in 1978 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested Core Collection....
(ECM, 1978)