"Throughout his career, Bobby has lived his life
as a dedicated and generous artist,
unswervingly loyal to his muse.
His work continues to breathe that
sensitivity, commitment and fire"*
Bobby performs, records and composes in the genres of jazz,
classical, hip-hop, R&B, pop and world music and composes
works in the classical vein; orchestral, symphonic,
sonatas and concerti.
+++++
As is often the case of musicians who not supported in their
home country of the US, Bobby left for a lauded career abroad,
performing for nearly 3 decades in France (Club New Morning
in Paris, one of the oldest jazz clubs in Europe), Germany,
the U.K., Portugal, Japan, Dubai, Oman, Zagreb, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, China, Oman, Croatia, Spain, Shanghai, Taipei,
Morocco and the Netherlands.
He now divides his time between living and performing abroad
and in the US including his hometown of Los Angeles--performing,
recording and creating original compositions of passion, originality
and authenticity for which he is known.
+++++
When Bobby West was born in Louisiana, 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. At age 8, Bobby’s
mother broke with generations of the West family in Louisiana,
moving to South Central Los Angeles at a time still reverberating
from the recent past of Central Avenue's legendary jazz scene.
Bobby was in the generation of musicians instrumental in creating
the arts and music scene in Leimert Park, still thriving today
at the venerable The World Stage.
It was here that Bobby fine tuned his craft and “voice” as a pianist,
composer and arranger of exceptional gifts, earning the respect of
his peers as he emerged from the hot house and idealism of the
1960s/1970s music in African American Los Angeles and far beyond.
Bobby graduated from Louisiana University School of Composition
and HBCU Grambling State University.
+++++
When an all-star aggregation was being assembled to honor the life
and memory of Horace Tapscott, the largest concern was filling the
band's piano chair. The immediate consensus was for Bobby West,
but at that time he lived abroad. Feeling there was no other option,
the organizing committee contacted Bobby. He immediately responded
that he would fly in from Amsterdam, honored to fill Horace's chair
and moved at the opportunity to pay tribute to his mentor of many years.
The concert was a tremendous success, due in no small part to Bobby's
powerful presence at the keyboard.
Of the many exceptional pianists who were mentored by Horace, it is
Bobby who best reflects his aesthetic, his intensity, power, wide-ranging
command of the keyboard, and ability to ignite an audience. Yet, at the
same time, Bobby is very much his own artist, who performs in his own
wonderfully crafted aesthetic world.
In the jazz scene and in his community, his name is an unmistakable
brand, where people come to hear "Bobby,"
not a re-creation of another sound, style, or artist.
Steve Isoardi Author
The Dark Tree: Jazz and the Community Arts in Los Angeles
and
Central Avenue Sounds Jazz in Los Angeles
Edited by Clora Bryant Buddy Collette
William Green Steve Isoardi Marl Young
*Steve Isoardi
Photo credit: Chuck Koton Photography
as a dedicated and generous artist,
unswervingly loyal to his muse.
His work continues to breathe that
sensitivity, commitment and fire"*
Bobby performs, records and composes in the genres of jazz,
classical, hip-hop, R&B, pop and world music and composes
works in the classical vein; orchestral, symphonic,
sonatas and concerti.
+++++
As is often the case of musicians who not supported in their
home country of the US, Bobby left for a lauded career abroad,
performing for nearly 3 decades in France (Club New Morning
in Paris, one of the oldest jazz clubs in Europe), Germany,
the U.K., Portugal, Japan, Dubai, Oman, Zagreb, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, China, Oman, Croatia, Spain, Shanghai, Taipei,
Morocco and the Netherlands.
He now divides his time between living and performing abroad
and in the US including his hometown of Los Angeles--performing,
recording and creating original compositions of passion, originality
and authenticity for which he is known.
+++++
When Bobby West was born in Louisiana, 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. At age 8, Bobby’s
mother broke with generations of the West family in Louisiana,
moving to South Central Los Angeles at a time still reverberating
from the recent past of Central Avenue's legendary jazz scene.
Bobby was in the generation of musicians instrumental in creating
the arts and music scene in Leimert Park, still thriving today
at the venerable The World Stage.
It was here that Bobby fine tuned his craft and “voice” as a pianist,
composer and arranger of exceptional gifts, earning the respect of
his peers as he emerged from the hot house and idealism of the
1960s/1970s music in African American Los Angeles and far beyond.
Bobby graduated from Louisiana University School of Composition
and HBCU Grambling State University.
+++++
When an all-star aggregation was being assembled to honor the life
and memory of Horace Tapscott, the largest concern was filling the
band's piano chair. The immediate consensus was for Bobby West,
but at that time he lived abroad. Feeling there was no other option,
the organizing committee contacted Bobby. He immediately responded
that he would fly in from Amsterdam, honored to fill Horace's chair
and moved at the opportunity to pay tribute to his mentor of many years.
The concert was a tremendous success, due in no small part to Bobby's
powerful presence at the keyboard.
Of the many exceptional pianists who were mentored by Horace, it is
Bobby who best reflects his aesthetic, his intensity, power, wide-ranging
command of the keyboard, and ability to ignite an audience. Yet, at the
same time, Bobby is very much his own artist, who performs in his own
wonderfully crafted aesthetic world.
In the jazz scene and in his community, his name is an unmistakable
brand, where people come to hear "Bobby,"
not a re-creation of another sound, style, or artist.
Steve Isoardi Author
The Dark Tree: Jazz and the Community Arts in Los Angeles
and
Central Avenue Sounds Jazz in Los Angeles
Edited by Clora Bryant Buddy Collette
William Green Steve Isoardi Marl Young
*Steve Isoardi
Photo credit: Chuck Koton Photography