Bob Magnusson

Bob Magnusson (born February 24, 1947 in New York, U.S.A.) is a bassist best known for his jazz and studio work. He has worked with scores of well-known names in modern jazz. His discography includes over 150 albums.

Career

Magnusson studied French horn for 12 years before switching to bass in 1967. He toured with Buddy Rich's Orchestra in 1968 and played with the San Diego Symphony and Sarah Vaughan (1971–72 and 1975–76). A studio musician for decades, he was part of the co-op group Road Work Ahead from 1979 to 1982, and worked with John Klemmer, Art Pepper, Benny Golson, Joe Farrell, Linda Ronstadt (with Nelson Riddle's Orchestra), Bud Shank, Laurindo Almeida, Shorty Rogers, Bob Cooper, Lou Donaldson, Clifford Jordan, George Cables, Victor Lewis, Joe Pass, Art Farmer, Kenny Barron, Freddie Hubbard, Slide Hampton, Billy Higgins, Carl Fontana, Tommy Flanagan, Mike Wofford, Holly Hofmann, Kenny Burrell, Roger Kellaway, Randy Porter, Ernie Watts, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Peter Erskine, Bobby Shew, Bill Mays, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, Bonnie Raitt, 10,000 Maniacs, Madonna, Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Jimmy Heath and others. Including the Road Work Ahead projects, Magnusson led record dates for Discovery Records in 1979, 1980 and 1984, and Trend Records in 1982.

Magnusson has performed in many of the world's finest concert halls and club venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has made many trips to Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Central and South America.

As a teacher and clinician, Magnussen was an active faculty member of Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California, from 1977 to 1996. In 1998 he joined the faculty at San Diego Mesa Community College and the Coronado School of the Arts, where he teaches harmony, theory and jazz improvisation. He wrote a book, "The Art of the Walking Bass", which was published by the Hal Leonard Publishing Company in 1999.

Albums

• Liquid Lines: (2005)
• Revelation: Discovery Records (1979)

Appears on

• Nexus: (2xLP) (With John Klemmer & Carl Burnett) Arista Records (1979)
• Skate Board Park: Joe Farrell (Xanadu, 1979)
• Flute Talk: Sam Most with Joe Farrell (1979)
• Rise: Herb Alpert, A&M Records (1979)
• Holywood Madness: Richie Cole with Eddie Jefferson, Muse Records (1980)
• Touchstone: Chick Corea, Warner Bros. (1982)
• Yesterday, Today and Forever: Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank (Concord Jazz, 1983)
• Return to Alto Acres: Richie Cole (LP), Palo Alto Records (1983)
• Finesse: John Klemmer, Elektra Records (1983)
• Ron McCroby Plays Puccolo, Concord Jazz (1983)
• Round Midnight: Linda Ronstadt, Elektra (1986)
• For Sentimental Reasons: Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra, Elektra/Asylum Records (1986)
• In My Tribe: 10,000 Maniacs, Elektra (1987)
• Shieldstone: Stanley Clarke & Bill Shields, Bellaphon Records (1987)
• I'm Breathless: Madonna, Sire Records (1990)
• Chamber Jazz: Laurindo Almeida, Concord Jazz (1993)
• A New Standard: Steve Tyrell, Atlantic Records (1999)
• This Guy's In Love: Steve Tyrell, Columbia Records (2003)
• Siren: Sasha & Shawna, Manhattan Records (2007)
• Conversations With My Family: Mike Garson, Resonance Records (2008)
• Heartfelt: Christian Howes, Resonance Records (2008)

Criticism

"His solos are models of creative, spontaneous artistry. His tone is full, rich and consistent; he is one of those masters who can achieve effortlessly any phrase that comes to his mind. His basic function as a rhythm player is fulfilled no less resourcefully when the others solo..."

External links

• [1]
• NAMM Oral History Interview December 12, 2014