Robert Naughton (June 25, 1944 – December 3, 2022)[1] was an American jazz vibraphonist and pianist.
Biography edit
Naughton was born in Boston on June 25, 1944.[2] He studied piano from the age of seven through his teens.[2] He played in rock bands and lounge bands.[2] After serving in the U.S. Army, he played organ with a blues band.[2] He studied painting in art school, then began playing vibraphone in the 1960s, accompanying Sheila Jordan and Perry Robinson.[2] In 1969 he recorded for the first time, releasing music on his label, Otic.[2] He also played piano on his first album.[2] He composed the score for the silent film Everyday by German artist Hans Richter.[2] In 1972 he played in the Jazz Composers Orchestra.[2] Beginning a year later, he worked with Wadada Leo Smith into the 1980s.[2] In 1976, he co-founded the not-for-profit Creative Musicians' Improvisers Forum, which supported musicians and presented concerts until it was dissolved six years later.[3] In 1978 and 1982 he toured Europe with Anthony Braxton in the Creative Music Orchestra.[2] In the 1980s, Naughton, seeking a steady income and health insurance, moved to Providence and began working as locksmith.[3] He recorded again in 2008, with drummer Laurence Cook and bassist Joe Fonda, leading to the album Pawtucket.[3]
Discography edit
As leader edit
- Nature's Consort (Otic, 1969)
- Understanding (Otic, 1972)
- The Haunt (Otic, 1976)
- Nauxtagram (Otic, 1979)
- Solo Vibraphone (Otic, 1979)
- Zoar (Otic, 2001)
- Pawtucket (Otic, 2008)
- Green Street (Otic, 2009)
As sideman edit
With Anthony Braxton
- Ensemble (Victoriaville) 1988 (Victo, 1989)
- Creative Orchestra (Koln) 1978 (hat ART, 1995)
- Orchestra (Paris) 1978 (Braxton Bootleg, 2011)
With Leo Smith
- The Mass on the World (Moers Music, 1978)
- Budding of a Rose (Moers Music, 1979)
- Divine Love (ECM, 1979)
- Spirit Catcher (Nessa, 1979)
- Go in Numbers (Black Saint, 1982)
- Procession of the Great Ancestry (Nessa, 1989)
With others
- Roscoe Mitchell, Sketches from Bamboo (Moers Music, 1979)
- Mario Pavone, Digit (Alacra, 1979)
- Mario Pavone, Shodo (Alacra, 1981)
References edit
- ^ Robert Naughton Obituary
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dean, Roger T. (2003). "Naughton, Bobby [Robert]". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J323600. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
- ^ a b c Allen, Clifford (September 2014). "Encore: Bobby Naughton". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 149. p. 10.
External links edit
- Bobby Naughton official website at the Wayback Machine (archived December 20, 2022)
- Bobby Naughton discography at Discogs