West was born a fifth
generation Louisianian,
with deep ancestral
roots in New Orleans,
and prior to that,
recently discovered
lineages to the Caribbean
and West Africa.
When Bobby was born
the doctor said his fingers
were so long that he’d
either be a piano player
or a pick pocket.
Fortunately for us,
he chose the piano.
By the age of 6, Bobby
was known as a prodigy.
By age 8, Bobby was
playing Mozart.
He inherited his gift
for music from his father
who was a very fine blues
and gospel singer.
At age 8, West moved to
South Central Los Angeles
during the Great Migration
and grew up inspired by
the jazz legacy of Central
Avenue, and the city’s piano
professors from Hampton
Hawes to his mentor
Horace Tapscott.
He returned to Louisiana
and earned a degree from
HBCU Grambling State
University, and from the
seventies, he split his time
between L.A.- especially
that vivid venue known
as The World Stage
in Leimert Park - and many
ports of call in Europe, the
Middle East and Asia.
Despite being well-respected
at home and abroad, West
never released an album
until 2021, when he dropped
his critically-acclaimed debut,
Leimert Park After Dark, and
followed by Big Trippin'
in 2023, both highly ranked
in several jazz and roots
music charts.
generation Louisianian,
with deep ancestral
roots in New Orleans,
and prior to that,
recently discovered
lineages to the Caribbean
and West Africa.
When Bobby was born
the doctor said his fingers
were so long that he’d
either be a piano player
or a pick pocket.
Fortunately for us,
he chose the piano.
By the age of 6, Bobby
was known as a prodigy.
By age 8, Bobby was
playing Mozart.
He inherited his gift
for music from his father
who was a very fine blues
and gospel singer.
At age 8, West moved to
South Central Los Angeles
during the Great Migration
and grew up inspired by
the jazz legacy of Central
Avenue, and the city’s piano
professors from Hampton
Hawes to his mentor
Horace Tapscott.
He returned to Louisiana
and earned a degree from
HBCU Grambling State
University, and from the
seventies, he split his time
between L.A.- especially
that vivid venue known
as The World Stage
in Leimert Park - and many
ports of call in Europe, the
Middle East and Asia.
Despite being well-respected
at home and abroad, West
never released an album
until 2021, when he dropped
his critically-acclaimed debut,
Leimert Park After Dark, and
followed by Big Trippin'
in 2023, both highly ranked
in several jazz and roots
music charts.